Supporting Documents Required for ICANN Registrar Accreditation

A practical guide for applicants preparing for the ICANN review process

Becoming an ICANN-accredited domain name registrar is not a formality. It is a regulated onboarding process governed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) (https://www.icann.org) and designed to ensure that only financially stable, legally compliant, and operationally capable entities are allowed to sell domain names directly to the public.

One of the most common reasons applications are delayed—or fail altogether—is incomplete or poorly prepared documentation.

This article explains, in clear terms, the exact categories of documents ICANN expects, why they matter, and what applicants should prepare in advance when applying for Supporting documents for ICANN registrar accreditation

Why documentation matters in ICANN accreditation

ICANN does not evaluate intent or business ideas.It evaluates verifiable evidence.

Every document you submit is reviewed by ICANN’s legal, finance, technical, and compliance teams to answer one fundamental question:

Can this company be trusted to operate critical internet infrastructure responsibly?

Applicants unfamiliar with this process often work with experienced advisors such as DotupTech’s ICANN accreditation consultants (https://dotuptech.com) to avoid unnecessary follow-ups and prolonged review cycles.

1. Company incorporation and legal identity documents

ICANN must establish that the applicant is a legally valid entity with the authority to enter into binding agreements.

Required documents typically include:

• Certificate of Incorporation or Formation

• Articles of Association / Operating Agreement

• Certificate of Good Standing (recent)

• Official business registration extracts

These documents must clearly reflect the exact legal name and jurisdiction used in the application. Even minor inconsistencies can trigger clarification requests.

2. Ownership, directors, and control disclosures

ICANN places strong emphasis on transparency of ownership and decision-making authority.

Applicants must disclose:

• Shareholding or ownership structure

• List of directors and officers

• Government-issued identification for key individuals

• Declarations regarding criminal history, sanctions, or prior ICANN compliance issues

This information allows ICANN to assess governance risk and accountability.

3. Financial capability documentation

Financial stability is a core requirement under ICANN’s registrar accreditation framework.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate sufficient working capital and operational resilience through:

• A bank reference letter confirming account status

• Proof of minimum capital (typically USD 70,000 or equivalent)

• Financial statements or balance confirmation or tax returns of previous years

4. Registrar operations and compliance documentation

This is one of the most scrutinized sections of the application.

Applicants must show that they understand and can comply with the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA), published by ICANN athttps://www.icann.org/resources/pages/approved-with-specs-2013-09-17-en

Documentation generally includes:

• Registrar operations overview

• Abuse reporting and response procedures

• WHOIS / RDAP compliance explanation

• Privacy and data protection policies

• Customer support and escalation workflows

ICANN expects clear operational descriptions, not generic policy text.

5. Technical capability and infrastructure documents

Even when using third-party registrar software, the accredited registrar remains fully responsible.

Applicants must document:

• Registrar platform or backend provider details

• Agreements with third-party service providers

• DNS, EPP, and security architecture overview

• Registrant data escrow arrangements with an ICANN-approved escrow agent

6. Data protection and registrant safeguarding documents

Registrant protection is central to ICANN’s mission.

Applicants are expected to provide:

• Data retention and access control policies

• Incident response and breach notification procedures

• Business continuity and disaster recovery overview

• Confirmation of registrant data escrow compliance

7. Signed ICANN forms and certifications

The application also includes formal declarations such as:

• Signed accreditation forms

• Certifications of accuracy and completeness

• Conflict-of-interest disclosures

These submissions are legally binding and reviewed carefully by ICANN’s legal team.

Common mistakes applicants make

In practice, delays often arise from:

• Using copied or generic policies not aligned with the applicant’s operations

• Mismatched company names across documents

• Expired certificates or outdated bank letters

• Underestimating ICANN’s follow-up questioning process

This is why many applicants choose structured guidance from DotupTech’s ICANN accreditation advisory team (https://dotuptech.com), especially for first-time applications.

Final thoughts : Supporting documents for ICANN registrar accreditation

ICANN accreditation is a due-diligence process, not a simple registration.

Strong documentation—accurate, consistent, and aligned with ICANN expectations—is the difference between a smooth approval and months of avoidable delays.

If you are planning to apply, early document readiness should be your first milestone.

Professional support from DotupTech’s ICANN accreditation services (https://dotuptech.com) can significantly reduce risk, time, and uncertainty.