New TLD contracting

The following is an outline of the Contracting process as defined by ICANN, it is our goal to supplement this with actual contracting timelines and action items that are encountered by new TLD applicants. Information can be edited directly, or contact Andrew Merriam, andrew[at]tldesign.co

Steps & Timeline

1. CIR (aprox. 8 days)
   1. CIR Review
2. Sign Registry Agreement
3. PDT (approx. 6 weeks)
4. Transition to Delegation (approx. 2 weeks)
5. Delegation
6. Registry Onboarding

Contracting Information Request

• See Contracting Information Request summary and example.
• ICANN suggested timeline: 8 days
• Applicant timeline examples: _ days

Registry Agreement

• See Summary and Examples on Signing Registry Agreement
• ICANN suggested timeline: 7 days
• Applicant timeline examples:

Pre-Delegation Testing

The Pre-Delegation Testing (PDT) process allows ICANN to determine if registries meet specific “technical and operational requirements” deemed necessary to maintain a new gTLD.

Transition to Delegation

Sunrise Period

• See Sunrise Period summary
• ICANN enforced timeline: 30 day minimum

Top-Level Domain