If your problem is about:

Is your concern not addressed here? Submit this form: http://reports.internic.net/cgi/registrars/problem-report.cgi

EPP Status Codes: What do they mean, and why should I know? [PDF, 99 KB]

Domain Name Transfer Dispute

If you have a dispute involving the requested transfer of a domain name from one registrar to another

In November 2004, ICANN announced a transfer policy that applies to all accredited gTLD registrars across the globe.

If you have attempted to transfer a domain name from one registrar to another registrar and the transfer was denied, the "losing" registrar is required to provide the "gaining" registrar with a notice and a specific reason for the denial. You can contact the "gaining" registrar for further assistance.

For further information about the Transfer Policy or to contact ICANN staff with a transfer question, please see http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registrars/transfers/name-holder-faqs.

Unsolicited Renewal or Transfer Solicitation

If your complaint concerns an unsolicited renewal and transfer request

If you are concerned about an unsolicited transfer or renewal offer, you should contact your registrar. A complete list of ICANN-accredited registrars can be found here: http://www.icann.org/registrar-reports/accredited-list.html

You may wish to take this matter up with your existing registrar. If you do not know who your registrar is, you can look it up using a Whois search for your domain name here: http://www.internic.net/whois.html

For additional information about the Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy or to contact ICANN with a Transfer Policy question, see http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registrars/transfers/name-holder-faqs.

Concerned That Your Registrar is not on the Accredited List?

If the company that registered your domain name is not in the accredited registrar directory

Many companies that are not accredited by ICANN offer domain registration services -- some are reselling names obtained from accredited registrars. Please note that ICANN does not accredit resellers or hosting companies.

If you do not know who your registrar is, you can look it up using a Whois search for your domain name here: http://www.internic.net/whois.html

You can see a complete list of ICANN-accredited registrars here: http://www.icann.org/registrar-reports/accredited-list.html

Unauthorized Transfer of Your Domain Name

If your complaint concerns unauthorized transfer of your domain name

If you believe that your domain name was transferred to a new registrar without your authorization or consent, please contact the original registrar.

If you do not know who your registrar is, you can look it up using a Whois search for your domain name here: http://www.internic.net/whois.html



Disputes between registrars over alleged violations of the Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy may be initiated by any ICANN-accredited registrar. For further information, see http://www.icann.org/en/help/dndr/tdrp.

For further information about the Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy, applicable to all gTLD registrars, see http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registrars/transfers.

Trademark Infringement

If you feel someone is using your trademark in a domain name

You may wish to consult an attorney in private practice who deals with intellectual property law to discuss available options. ICANN cannot give legal advice.

Also, the UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute Resolution Policy) allows trademark and service mark holders to arbitrate certain claims against a domain name registrant before an approved dispute resolution service provider. For information about ICANN's Uniform Domain-Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), please see http://www.icann.org/en/help/dndr/udrp.

For a list of approved UDRP dispute resolution service providers, see http://www.icann.org/en/help/dndr/udrp/providers.

Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution (UDRP) Intake Report System

This system allows a party that has received a decision from an Approved Dispute-Resolution Service Provider to register a grievance as well as any other parties interested in obtaining enforcement assistance regarding a UDRP decision.

The UDRP defines how certain disputes over domain name registrations are resolved in certain global top-level domains. The UDRP includes a mandatory, non-binding, low-cost administrative procedure to resolve a certain set of claims. A copy of the policy is available at http://www.icann.org/en/udrp/udrp-policy-24oct99.htm.

For more information or to submit a grievance go here: http://internic.net/UDRPIntakeReportSystem.html

Registrar Services Dispute

If you are trying to solve a problem concerning a service provided by your registrar

If you have a dispute regarding your registrar the best step that you can take is to deal with the registrar directly.

If you do not know who your registrar is, you can look it up using a Whois search for your domain name here: http://www.internic.net/whois.html

The results of the WHOIS search will contain the name of the registrar and the contact details. If you know who your registrar is and need to find out how to contact them, or if you want to see if a company is an ICANN-accredited registrar, you can find that information at http://www.icann.org/registrar-reports/accredited-list.html.

There are many organizations such as ISPs (Internet Service Providers), hosting companies, and others who act as resellers for registrars. If your complaint concerns a reseller, please contact either the reseller or the registrar.

ICANN accepts registrar problem reports for compliance monitoring and statistical analysis. You may submit a report via the Registrar Problem Report Form but please note that ICANN does not resolve individual complaints.

If Your Complaint Concerns a Failure of Your Registrar to Answer Phones or Respond to Email Messages

It is not within ICANN's mission to address any customer-service related matters that fall outside of the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA). Complaints about a registrar's performance that cannot be resolved with a registrar may be addressed by private-sector agencies involved in addressing customer complaints (i.e. The Better Business Bureau at http://www.bbb.org/; The International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network at http://www.icpen.org/).

If you believe your complaint concerns an illegal matter contact the appropriate law enforcement agency (which will vary depending on jurisdiction) or you may consult an attorney for legal advice.

If Your Complaint Concerns Financial Transaction Issues with Your Registrar

It is not within ICANN's mission to address any customer-service related matters that fall outside of the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) e.g. over billing, multiple billing, transfer fees or redemption grace period fees. Complaints about a registrar's performance that cannot be resolved with a registrar may be addressed by private-sector agencies involved in addressing customer complaints (i.e. The Better Business Bureau at http://www.bbb.org/; The International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network http://www.icpen.org/).

If you believe your complaint concerns an illegal matter contact the appropriate law enforcement agency (which will vary depending on jurisdiction) or you may consult an attorney for legal advice.

Inaccurate Whois Data

If you are trying to resolve a complaint related to inaccurate WHOIS data

If you have an inquiry regarding incorrect WHOIS data, please submit a "WHOIS Data Problem Report" using the form at http://wdprs.internic.net/.

Your report will be forwarded to the sponsoring registrar, who must take reasonable steps to investigate and correct inaccurate data.

Spam or Viruses

If your complaint is about SPAM or computer viruses

The existence of SPAM and computer viruses are beyond the scope and authority of ICANN to resolve. If the content is of an illegal nature, or if you believe you are being spammed in violation of the law, you may wish to consult an attorney or an appropriate consumer protection agency.

For further information about SPAM and tips to avoid "phishing" scams, you may wish to visit the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's SPAM website at http://www.ftc.gov/spam/ or Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_(electronic).

Content on a Website

If your complaint is about the content of a website

If you have concerns about the content of a website, you should address your complaint to the site's author, or the applicable Internet Service Provider depending on the circumstances. If you believe that the content is of an illegal nature, you should contact an appropriate law enforcement agency (which will vary depending on jurisdiction) or consult an attorney for legal advice.

FAQs and Information