On this page
New domain RAA verification procedures
When you register, transfer or update a domain, ICANN requires you to verify your contact email within 15 days.
ICANN introduced a mandatory verification step for domain registrations, WHOIS updates and transfers on 1 January 2014. Here is a quick summary of what it means for you.
What changed?
Whenever you register a new domain, update your WHOIS contact details, or transfer a domain between registrars, you will receive a verification email to the administrative address associated with that domain. The email comes from [email protected] with the subject line "RAA Verification Email".
You have 15 days to click the verification link in that email. If you do not:
- The domain is suspended immediately.
- After the 15-day window it is placed in "ClientHold" status for 72 hours.
- After that 72-hour period, the consequences depend on the action that triggered the verification:
- New registration - the registration is cancelled.
- WHOIS modification - your contact changes are reverted.
- Domain transfer - DNS for the domain is suspended, taking the domain and all associated services offline.
The verification email comes from [email protected]. This is sent from our systems - the different domain name is expected and nothing to worry about. You will never be asked to log in or enter a password. You only need to click the verify link. If any email asks for login credentials, do not proceed - contact our support team immediately, as this is likely a phishing attempt.
What if you do not receive the verification email?
- Check your spam or junk folder first.
- If the email is not there, open a support ticket and our team can have it resent. Depending on the domain's registration status at that point, this can take up to 72 hours.
This situation can also occur if the email address registered against your domain is out of date or no longer working. It is essential that the contact email address for all your domains - new and existing - is kept current. An incorrect address means you could miss critical notices, including renewal and expiry reminders.
To check or update your contact email, log in to your Kualo client area and review the details on file. If the address is wrong and a resend bounces, the domain will be forced into "ClientHold" status.
Why was this introduced?
ICANN introduced this requirement to reduce fraud across existing and new domain extensions. The annual verification process that was already in place continues alongside this additional step.
If you are unsure what to do at any point, open a support ticket via your Kualo client area and our team will be happy to help.