Overview
ICANN verification is required for many generic domain names, such as .com, .net, .org, .info, .shop, .online, and other generic top-level domains.
The purpose of this verification is to confirm that the domain registrant’s email address is valid and accessible. This helps protect domain ownership, reduce inaccurate domain registration data, and ensure that important domain-related notices reach the correct contact.
ICANN verification is mandatory for applicable domain extensions. If the verification is not completed within the required period, the domain name may be suspended until the registrant's email address is verified.
• ICANN verification applies mainly to generic domain extensions such as .com, .net, .org, .info and many other generic top-level domains.
• .LY domain names are not subject to this ICANN email verification requirement.
• .LY is a country-code top-level domain and is managed under its own registry rules and local policies.
Quick Background
ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, is the organization responsible for coordinating global policies for generic domain names.
Domain registrars are required to follow ICANN policies through the Registrar Accreditation Agreement. As part of these requirements, registrars must verify certain domain registrant contact information, especially the registrant email address.
This verification process became an important part of domain registration rules under ICANN’s WHOIS / Registration Data Accuracy requirements. It applies when registering a new domain, transferring a domain, or changing important registrant contact details.
When Will You Receive an ICANN Verification Email?
You may receive an ICANN verification email in one of the following cases:
- You registered a new generic domain name.
- You transferred a generic domain name to Libyan Spider.
- You changed the registrant name, organization, or email address.
- The registrant's email address has not been verified before.
- The registrar is required to confirm that the domain contact information is still valid.
- There is a request to update important ownership-related domain details.
The verification email is sent to the registrant's email address listed in the domain contact information.
Why Is ICANN Verification Important?
ICANN verification confirms that the email address linked to the domain owner is correct and accessible.
This is important because the registrant's email address may be used for:
- Domain ownership confirmation.
- Domain transfer approvals.
- Contact information updates.
- Renewal and expiry notices.
- Compliance and policy notifications.
- Important registrar or registry notices.
If the registrant email address is incorrect, inactive, or inaccessible, the domain owner may miss important messages and may lose the ability to approve or manage certain domain actions.
What Happens If You Do Not Verify the Email?
If the ICANN verification email is ignored or the verification is not completed within the required period, the domain may be suspended.
When a domain is suspended due to ICANN verification:
- The website may stop working.
- Email services connected to the domain may stop working.
- DNS resolution may be interrupted.
- Visitors may see a suspension or verification notice page.
- The domain status may appear as
clientHold.
The clientHold status means the domain is not resolving normally at the registry level. In this status, the domain may remain registered under your account, but it will not work properly until the verification issue is resolved.
How to Complete the Verification
To complete ICANN verification:
- Open the verification email sent to the domain registrant's email address.
- Click the verification link inside the email.
- Follow the instructions on the verification page.
- Wait for the verification confirmation.
- If the domain was suspended, allow some time for it and its DNS services to return to normal.
In most cases, the verification is completed quickly after clicking the link. However, if the domain was already suspended, website and email services may take some time to work again due to registry processing and DNS propagation.
I Did Not Receive the Verification Email
If you cannot find the ICANN verification email, please check the following:
- Check your inbox.
- Check spam, junk, promotions, and quarantine folders.
- Search your mailbox using keywords such as:
- ICANN
- verification
- domain verification
- registrant verification
- your domain name
- Confirm that the registrant email address listed on the domain is correct.
- Make sure your mailbox is active and able to receive external emails.
Avoid using an email address that depends on the same domain being verified. If the domain is suspended, email services on that domain may stop working, and you may not receive the verification message.
How to Resend the Verification Email
If you did not receive the verification email, Libyan Spider can help resend it.
To request resending the ICANN verification email, please open a support ticket from the Client Area and include the following information:
- Domain name.
- The registrant's email address is currently listed on the domain.
- Confirmation that you have checked your spam/junk folders.
- If the email address is incorrect, please provide the correct address so our team can guide you through the update process.
Once the verification email is resent, please open it and click the verification link as soon as possible.
What If the Domain Is Already Suspended?
If your domain is already suspended due to ICANN verification, you need to complete the verification process before it can resume normal operation.
Please follow these steps:
- Check the registrant's email inbox for the verification email.
- Click the verification link.
- If you cannot find the email, open a support ticket and request a resend.
- After you complete verification, please inform our support team if the domain does not return to normal.
- Allow time for DNS propagation if the domain was previously suspended.
Once verification is complete, the suspension should be removed. However, website and email services may not work instantly because DNS changes can take some time to refresh globally.
Common Domain Status: clientHold
If the domain is suspended because of failed ICANN verification, the domain may show the status:
clientHold
This status means the domain has been placed on hold and is not resolving normally.
Possible effects include:
- Website not loading.
- Email delivery failure.
- DNS records are not resolving.
- The domain appears suspended even though it is still registered.
To remove this status, please complete the registrant's email verification.
Updating Incorrect Registrant Email Address
If the registrant's email address is incorrect or no longer accessible, please contact Libyan Spider Support.
Our team will guide you through the required steps to update the domain contact information. Depending on the domain extension and registrar rules, changing registrant details may require additional confirmation or approval.
For some generic domain names, changing registrant details may also trigger a Change of Registrant process and apply a temporary transfer lock, per registry or registrar policies.
Important Information Summary
– ICANN verification is mandatory for applicable generic domain names.
– The verification email is sent to the registrant's email address listed in the domain contact information.
– .LY domain names are not subject to this ICANN email verification requirement.
– Failure to verify may result in the domain being suspended.
– Website and email services associated with the domain may stop working during the suspension.
– The domain may show the status clientHold while suspended.
– Keeping your domain contact information accurate is important.
– If the registrant name, organization, or email address is changed, a new verification or approval process may be required.
– Please complete verification as soon as you receive the email to avoid service interruption.
Need Help?
If you received an ICANN verification notice, cannot find the verification email, or your domain is suspended, please contact Libyan Spider Support by opening a ticket from your Client Area.
To help us assist you faster, please include:
- Your domain name.
- The registrant's email address.
- Whether the domain is currently suspended.
- Whether you want us to resend the verification email.
- Any screenshot or message you received related to the verification.
Our team will check the domain status and guide you through the next steps.
