Reconfirmation of Identity

If you are a Registrant or an Authorised Contact, we need to be sure that you are who you say you are. This is increasingly important in the context of protecting against fraud and DNS abuse.

This applies regardless whether you or not your domain name is registered directy with us or through a third party. This means it also applies if you use a 'registrar' to register your name..

We do not routinely ask for proof of ID for registration, or making changes to the register of domain names, if requested by standard electronic instruction, such as by logging into a self-management account, or through your registrar's interface.

However if we suspect fraud or a risk of unauthorised access, we may ask for additional proof. We may also request to establish your authority in respect of a domain name, if you have lost access to an online account, or you are unable to request the required service from the relevant registrar.

If you have a self-management account, you are normally able to prove your identity to us by logging in to your account. However if we suspect fraud or a risk of unauthorised access to your account, we may ask for additional proof.

If you are not currently able to manage your domain name online (e.g. have lost access to your self-management account)  we will verify your identity by other means such as by reference to internal records and/or responses to emails. Depending on circumstances we may ask for a signed letter and/or request copies of identity documents.

We may be able to use other, faster, methods such as checking public company records  or credit reference data. We might occasionally ask you for copies of documents, such as passport/national ID and a proof of address, but please do not send these unless we ask you to do so. If we are able to confirm your identity using a credit reference agency search, we will not require copies of your ID.

Important information (incorporated companies and other 'legal persons')

Where a company is incorporated, or registered, it is usually relatively straightforward for us to determine its identity, as it is fairly easy for us to consult publically-available company records in many jurisdictions, and/or credit reference agencies. In some circumstances, however, we may need to ask for copies of certain documents, such as a Certificate of Incorporation, annual return or certificate of good standing and/or ask for confirmation of identity of the company's officers or signatories/.

On the register, Registrant and Authorised Contact entries have a Name field (mandatory) for the registrant or contact to which it relates , and an Organisation name field (optional).   If the Organisation field has been filled in any record, that record identifies the person, company or organisation list in the 'Organisation' field' and any duly authorised representative may act, subject to verification. This is because our legal agreement(s) is/are with the company, which, if it is incorporated, has its own legal existence separate from any 'natural persons' who may be associated with it from time to time.