About Verification

1. What is verification?
2. Why do I need to provide information about two "sponsors" when I register my name?
3. What does it mean if I get a notice that my eligibility is being verified?
4. What happens if my registration is determined to be eligible?
5. What happens if my registration is determined to be ineligible?
6. What additional materials might be requested during verification?
7. What happens to the names that were registered while my organization is verified?
8. How long will verification take?
9. How can I check the status of my status verification process?
10. Will I have to pay for my .coop domain if I am being verified?
11. Will I be charged a fee for verification?
12. How do I update my Sponsor information once my registration is accepted?
13. What is a Verification Partner?
14. Are "mutual" insurance companies eligible for .coop?
15. Can we buy a name if our co-op is not fully organized?
    
    

Verification is the process by which dotCoop determines whether an applicant is eligible to register a .coop domain name according to the .coop TLD Eligibility Criteria .

Verification is required because the .coop top level domain (TLD) is a restricted TLD. This means that only cooperatives and organizations serving cooperatives are allowed to register and use .coop domain names. dotCoop is responsible for ensuring that only eligible organizations are using this TLD.
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This information is used to confirm the applicant's status as a cooperative. Sponsors are usually cooperatives or cooperative organizations. Sponsors may be contacted if dotCoop has not been able to complete a verification using other processes and contacts such as Verification Partners.
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During this verification process, the name(s) you have selected will be held in reserve. If the dotCoop Operations Center cannot determine eligibility based on the Sponsor information, you will be asked to provide appropriate documentation demonstrating eligibility for .coop registration. Within 5 business days, you will be notified by email of the verification decision. The names selected for your organization will remain in reserve while this manual verification proceeds.
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The names that you have registered will be immediately released from reserve for use by your organization. No further action on your part is required.
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You will be informed of an appeals process if you feel this determination was made in error. You will have 30 days to initiate the appeals process. The names you have registered will remain in reserve until any appeals process is completed.

If you are determined to be ineligible for a .coop domain, you will forfeit the entire registration fee and the names you have purchased will be released from the reserved name system.

If you are not sure that you are eligible, please contact the registry at support@communicate.coop to confirm your eligibility.
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Documentation requested in a manual verification may include the following:

1. A copy of the organization's bylaws,
2. A copy of the organization's most recent annual report or the most recent past two years of audited financials or financial statements provided to members over the past five years,
3. A sample of the organization's membership application forms and/or membership materials, promotional, sales or informational material that reference the organizations status as a cooperative.

In addition, additional references other than your original Sponsors may be requested if the original sponsors could not help confirm your eligibility.
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7. What happens to the names that were registered while my organization is verified?

If the verification takes place during your initial registration, the names you have requested for your cooperative will be held in a Pending status. Your cooperative will not be able to use the names nor will other registrants be able to register these names.

If the verification is conducted as a "spot check" and your name is already active, your name will remain active unless dotCoop determines you are not eligible to register and use a .coop domain.
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If your cooperative is selected for verification, the system will notify you immediately that the verification process is needed before your cooperative's requested names can be used. In most cases, an eligibility determination will be made within 5 business days. In situations where additional materials or review are needed, the verification process may take as long as 2-3 weeks.
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If you would like an update on the status of your verification, contact the dotCoop Operations Center.
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Yes, you will still be charged for your .coop domain. If you are not eligible, your registration fee may or may not be refunded based on your registrar's procedures. If you are not sure of your eligibility, please contact the dotCoop Operations Center. They will be happy to assist you in confirming this before registration.
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No. Verification is part of the cost of the .coop domain name.
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Sponsor information is only used at the time of registration to verify your eligibility. It does not need to be maintained. If the dotCoop registry needs to contact your Sponsors after registration, it will contact you for any updated information.
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A dotCoop Verification Partner is an organization or individual that agrees to assist dotCoop to confirm the eligibility of applicants for a .coop domain name. Verification Partners assist dotCoop by providing information on the legal and practical setting of cooperatives in their region or sector and by reviewing applications submitted to them by dotCoop and providing advice as to whether the applicant is a cooperative organization within their region or sector and under the terms of the .coop standard eligibility criteria.

By serving as a dotCoop Verification Partner, an organization can support local cooperatives and help them enroll in the new .coop system. This will allow cooperatives from all countries and all sectors to join together in a virtual community that gives them a clear identity on the Internet.
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Mutuals that operate on a cooperative basis are eligible for a .coop domain. Eligibility has to be determined on a case-by-case basis. Please contact support@communicate.coop for more information.
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Yes, you can purchase a name for your co-op as it is being formed. DotCoop recognizes the need to create your Internet identity as an integral part of the start-up of any company in today's world. However, dotCoop reserves the right to review your eligibility after an appropriate time and revoke your .coop domains with no refund if the organization that is created is not eligible as defined by our Charter. Generally, dotCoop reviews such registrations within six months of registration.
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