Introduction
This article explains the ICANN Verification Process, how it works and what steps customers should take.
What is Domain Verification?
The main authority for all domain names is the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names or Numbers, or ICANN for short. ICANN recently changed their policies requiring all registrars to validate the registrant's email address for domains registered or renewed after 1st January 2014.
If verification is not completed within 15 days of request, ICANN requires that the domain is automatically suspended.
When does a domain require verification?
You will be asked to complete domain verification if
- Register a new domain
- Renew a domain
- Transfer a domain
- Update a domain's registrant contact information
Updating your contact details
It is important the registrant contact details are correct for your domain, in particular the registrant's email address.
To update a domain's contact details:
- Log into My Account
- Go to the Domains tab
- In the Your Domains list, click on the applicable domain
- Click on Update Contacts under Domain Details
- Make any changes to the domain's details and then click on Apply to Domain
Please note that any changes may take 24 to 48 hours to take effect.
How do I verify my domain?
When domain verification is required, an email message will be sent to the registrant's email address. Typically, the message's subject will be IMPORTANT VERIFICATION required for and will look something like this:
Please be advised that as of the 1st January 2014 it has now become a mandatory requirement from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Name and Numbers (ICANN) that all ICANN accredited registrars verify the WHOIS contact information for all new domain registrations, domain transfers and registrant contact modifications.
You have received this email as you have recently transferred one or more domains to Calzada Media Limited with the following registrant details:
Name:
Email Address: hostmaster@calzadamedia.com
Under the changes requested by ICANN you need to verify your registrant email address. Please click on the link below to verify this email address.
https://www.verify-whois.com/?3uFiL5mkAN5n7x%2b07SM2YOik3k72r%2fWepYb7OhL80XGGOyDXE8I2T2f8jwfMALOlDB
You have 15 days from the time the transfer completed to verify your email address. If your email address is not verified within these 15 days the domain name(s) will be suspended until the email address is verified.
Once the link above is clicked this email address and the domains listed below will be instantly verified.
Please note this email is not a phishing email and is being sent to you following the change outlined above from the 1st January 2014 by ICANN.
your-domain-name.com
Kind Regards
Calzada Media Limited
It is entirely plausible - if not inevitable - that some spammers will send you a similar message. If you do receive one of these messages, there are couple of pointers as to whether it is valid or not:
- Have you registered, renew or transfered your domain with Calzada Media recently (within the last 5 or so days).
- Is the message plaintext - if the message contains any images or content blocked by your email program, then the answer is probably no.
- Does the address of the verification link begin with https://www.verify-whois.com
If you have any suspicions or reservations, please contact our support helpdesk including the content of the message you've received.
Completing Verification
To complete verification either click on the link in the email or copy+paste the address into your web browser's address bar.
If successful, you will see a simple web page with the message
Thank you for validating the email address and contact . No further action is required.
If verification is not completed within 15 days of request, ICANN requires that the domain is automatically suspended.
My domain has been suspended, what can I do?
Please contact us via the support helpdesk and we will issue another verification email.