RDDS – Domain WHOIS Verification and Suspension Process

RDDS – Domain WHOIS Verification and Suspension Process

This article explains how the RDDS/WHOIS contact verification, suspension, and reactivation processes work end-to-end for Atak Domain customers and the support team.

1) Purpose and Scope

  • • Purpose: To standardize the ICANN-mandated Registrant contact verification process for gTLD/nTLD domain names.
  • • Scope: gTLD/nTLDs. ccTLDs are generally excluded (exceptions may apply depending on the registry; e.g., .IN/.CO.IN follow a similar verification flow).

2) What is RDDS/WHOIS?

RDDS (Registration Data Directory Services) is the system that provides access to domain registration data such as Registrant, Admin, Tech, and Billing contacts. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date WHOIS/RDDS data is a core requirement under ICANN contracts.

3) Legal Basis and Effective Dates

  • • Under the ICANN Whois Data Accuracy Specification, the registrant’s email address must be verified within 15 days.
  • • Effective dates:

– January 1, 2014 for new TLDs
– September 2014 for existing gTLDs

• Coverage: gTLD/nTLDs (ICANN-regulated). ccTLDs are usually exempt; however, some ccTLDs (e.g., .IN/.CO.IN) require the same verification under their own policies.

4) Events That Trigger Verification

Any of the following actions initiates the 15-day verification requirement:

  1. New domain registration where the registrant email is unverified.
  2. Domain transfer from another registrar.
  3. Registrant contact/handle change where the new contact’s email is unverified.
  4. Updating the registrant email to an unverified address.
  5. Moving the domain to another account where the assigned registrant email is unverified.

Note: Once an email address is verified, all registrant records using the same email are considered verified.

5) The 15-Day Deadline and Enforcement

  • • If verification is not completed within 15 days, the domain is suspended.
  • • Suspension can be applied in two ways:
  1. ClientHold: The domain stops resolving (DNS queries return no response).
  2. Verification Name Servers: The domain is pointed to a neutral information page explaining the suspension (recommended approach).

• The information page should clearly explain why the domain is suspended and how to reactivate it.

6) What Customers See (User Perspective)

  • • The website and email services connected to the domain become inaccessible.
  • • The browser displays an informational suspension page explaining the reason and next steps.
  • • A “Resend verification email” button may appear on this page.

7) Steps to Lift Suspension (Reactivation)

  1. Log in to the Control Panel and confirm that the registrant email address under Domain Contacts is correct and up to date.
  2. Check your inbox for the email titled “Action required: Verify your contact information…” (also check spam/junk folders).
  3. Click the verification link.
  4. Once verified, the domain becomes active within minutes (DNS propagation may take a short time).

If the email address is wrong/invalid, update it in the panel— a new verification email will be sent automatically.
If the verification link does not work or the email never arrives:

  • • Use the "Resend verification email" button on the suspension page.

8) Recommended Best Practices for Domain Owners

  • • Keep registrant and account email addresses up to date.

• Add the following addresses and domains to your email allow-list to prevent verification emails from landing in spam:

Email addresses to allow-list

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Domains to allow-list

domainnameapi.net
domainregistrationapi.com
atakonline.com
followdomain.net
apiname.com
apiname.net

• Do not leave contact fields blank in the panel; follow the required formatting rules.

11) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is verification mandatory for ccTLDs?
A: Generally no; it is mandatory for gTLD/nTLDs under ICANN policy. But some ccTLDs (e.g., .IN/.CO.IN) apply similar verification requirements.

Q: I have multiple domains using the same email address. Do I need to verify each domain separately?
A: No. Once an email address is verified, all registrant records using the same email are considered verified.

Q: I am not receiving the verification email.
A: Check spam/junk folders, use the resend button on the suspension page, or update the registrant email in the panel and try again.

Q: How long after verification does my domain become active?
A: Usually within minutes. Full access may take a few minutes due to DNS propagation.

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