Across Field Address Validation Registrar Strawman Proposal
The WHOIS Accuracy Program Specification of the 2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement requires registrars to validate and verify defined data fields, such as phone number, email and postal address.[1] Included in the validation requirements of the Specification is the Across Field Validation requirement. This is an open requirement for registrars to validate the registrant’s postal address fields, and confirm consistency across fields e.g. street exists in city, city exists in state/province, city matches postal code.[2]
The 2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement requires ICANN to review these requirements in consultation with the Registrar WHOIS Validation Working Group[3] to identify a feasible set of tools that shall enable accredited registrars to complete these validation actions. These actions should contribute to increased accuracy rating of physical address information associated with the registered name holder.[4]
ICANN has identified a set of commercial providers offering global address validation tool-sets.[5] If the Registrar WHOIS Validation Working Group and ICANN are able to mutually agree upon a solution(s) that is technically and commercially feasible all applicable documentation shall be published accordingly.
The objective of the Strawman Proposal is to gather feedback upon review and reach consensus regarding next steps between ICANN and the Registrar WHOIS Validation Working Group. The Registrar WHOIS Validation Working Group and ICANN shall collaborate with the intent to reach a mutual agreement based on acceptable criteria. Upon acceptance, ICANN and Registrar WHOIS Validation Working Group shall proceed with the creation of an approval process of Address Validation Service Provider(s) ‘Provider’. If both parties reach consensus and successfully complete these activities, then Registrars shall complete a Provider(s) selection process and implement the address validation tool-set(s) based on the obligation outlined in the WHOIS Accuracy Specification of the 2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement.
Read the complete document: AFAV Strawman Proposal .pdf
[1] 2013 RAA WHOIS Accuracy Program Specification, Section 1(a)-Section 1(e) for specific validation requirements and Section 1(f) for verification requirement.
[2] 2013 RAA WHOIS Accuracy Program Specification Section 1(e)
[4] Ability to verify physical addresses that are technically and commercially available by an approved third party.
[5] Identification of commercial providers was based on the suggested criteria outlined in the strawman proposal. The final criteria will be mutually agreed upon between Registrar WHOIS Validation Working Group and ICANN.
