ICANN-accredited registrar vs domain reseller

The brand selling a domain is not necessarily a directly ICANN-accredited registrar. A provider may resell another registrar’s services. A useful review makes that relationship clear.

What the ICANN record establishes

ICANN’s accredited registrar list provides organization names, IANA numbers and contact information. Use it to assess a claim of direct accreditation. A logo displayed on a seller’s website does not replace a matching official record.

Separate accreditation from reselling

A reseller’s absence from the accredited list is not by itself evidence of a fake service. Ask which registrar handles the registrations and how the relationship and customer terms are documented. Reseller status and direct accreditation are different claims.

Match the IANA number and company

Do not copy a number without checking the organization and website associated with it. If the brand differs from the registered name, ask for the relationship to be explained. One company’s number does not verify every service of another business.

Ask about practical domain management

Find out which account controls the domain, how renewals work and how transfer requests are handled. Management access and registrar accreditation answer different questions.

Read the scope of the review

ProviderCheck assesses direct registrar records and reseller evidence separately. A properly explained not-applicable or different-scope finding is not an automatic negative judgment about a reseller.

Continue your checks

Learn how to validate a badge with the live seal guide. Providers can apply for review, while buyers can browse current provider profiles.