The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) requires all accredited registrars to verify the WHOIS contact information attached to certain domain registrations. This article explains when ICANN/RAA verification is triggered, what you need to do, and what happens if you do not complete it in time.
About ICANN/RAA verification
The Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) is the contract between ICANN and accredited registrars. Under the RAA, the registrar must validate the registrant's email address whenever certain events occur on a domain. If the registrant does not confirm their email within the allowed window, the domain is suspended.
Exact Hosting triggers RAA verification under two conditions:
- When a new domain name is registered.
- When the registrant contact email is updated on an existing domain.
Warning: If RAA verification is not completed within 15 days, the domain is suspended. A suspended domain stops resolving, which means websites and email tied to it stop working.
Verification at new domain registration
When you register a new domain, you receive an email asking you to verify the email address used as the registrant contact. Clicking the verification link in that email confirms you are the correct owner of the domain.
If the link is left unattended, the domain is suspended until verification is completed.
Verification when the registrant email is updated
When the registrant contact is updated, the RAA verification email is sent to the new email address. The contact change does not take effect on the domain until the new email address has been verified.
Note: If the new email address has already been verified through a previous RAA process, the system does not trigger a new verification email.
Once the RAA verification process has started, the registrant has 15 days to verify the information. If verification is not completed in that window, the domain is suspended.
Common questions about RAA verification
What if the registrant email address is wrong?
Update the registrant email to the correct address. A new RAA verification email is then sent to the corrected address. Updating the email does not reset the suspension status or restart the 15-day clock for any verification that was already in progress.
I never received the verification email — what should I do?
Check your spam or junk folder first. If the email is not there, confirm the email address listed as the registrant contact is correct and accessible. If everything looks right and the email still has not arrived, contact Exact Hosting Support to have the verification email resent.
What happens to a suspended domain?
A suspended domain stops resolving — websites and email connected to it go offline. Completing the RAA verification lifts the suspension and restores normal service.
Next steps
- Verify the email immediately. Do not wait — the 15-day window starts as soon as the email is sent.
- Keep your registrant contact details current. Accurate WHOIS data is required under the RAA and prevents future verification issues.
- Contact Exact Hosting Support if you need a verification email resent or your domain has been suspended.
Questions? Contact Exact Hosting Support.
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