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What is ARIN?

Established in December 1997 as a Regional Internet Registry, the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) is responsible for the management and distribution of Internet number resources such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs). ARIN manages these resources within its service region, which is comprised of Canada, the United States, and many Caribbean and North Atlantic islands.

Find out how you can get involved in the ARIN community.

Mission Statement and Services

The ARIN Mission Statement highlights the main service areas that ARIN covers:

ARIN supports the operation of the Internet through the management of Internet number resources throughout its service region; coordinates the development of policies by the community for the management of Internet Protocol number resources; and advances the Internet through informational outreach. ARIN will continue to utilize an open, transparent multi-stakeholder process for registry policy development.

— ARIN Bylaws - Article II, Section 2

Key Services Provided by ARIN

Registration Services

ARIN’s primary function is the registration of IP addresses and ASNs, collectively referred to as Internet number resources. These resources are delegated in a way to ensure global uniqueness. ARIN also operates directory services which allow the public to determine to whom those number resources are issued. This work includes:

Technical Services

ARIN develops, implements, and supports both internal systems and community services like:

Organization Services

ARIN coordinates meaningful interaction between members, stakeholders, and the organization including:

ARIN and the Regional Internet Registry System

ARIN is a Regional Internet Registry (RIR) incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia, USA. Our region is comprised of Canada, the United States, and many Caribbean and North Atlantic islands.

There are five RIRs covering the globe, and each RIR:

  • Provides services related to the technical coordination and management of Internet number resources in its respective service region;
  • Participates in the global Internet community;
  • Facilitates the development of policy decisions made by its members and any other interested Internet citizens;
  • Is a nonprofit, membership organization; and
  • Is governed by an executive board elected by its membership.

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

I received correspondence from ARIN. What do I do next?

ARIN sends regular correspondence regarding payments due, annual validation of contact information, and confirmations for action taken on an account. Some common questions are:

  • Why do I pay fees? To provide for an equitable, cost-recovery process, ARIN charges an initial transaction fee for the registration or transfer of IP addresses and ASNs, and an annual fee for ongoing registration services. To learn more about ARIN fees and paying your bill, visit the Fee Information Overview page.
  • How do I pay an invoice? You can pay your invoice via credit card, check, or wire transfer/ACH payment. Visit the Make a Payment page to learn more.
  • How do I validate my Point of Contact (POC) record? In accordance with ARIN Policy (NRPM Section 3.6: Annual Validation of ARIN’s Public Whois Point of Contact Data), an email is sent to every POC in the Whois database. Each POC has a maximum of 60 days to either respond that their Whois contact information is correct and complete or to provide updates to the POC. To learn more about POC validation, visit the POCs page.
  • How do I update my records in Whois? You can update your information in Whois using ARIN Online. Instructions for updating various types of records can be found on the POC Records and Organization Identifiers page.

How do I request or manage my Internet number resources?

Representatives of organizations that hold ARIN Internet number resources or plan to request Internet number resources use our online account management tools.

Through an ARIN account, individuals and organizations can manage all of their ARIN records, requests, and correspondence online. We are constantly developing and improving our web-based functionality. Check out our software release information and see what’s next as we continue to improve our service to the ARIN community. Listed below are some helpful links:

What do I do if I need information directly from ARIN?

If you need help securing information and statistics from ARIN, the following links may be helpful:

Can you help me understand the big picture and how ARIN fits in?

ARIN is a well-respected leader in the Internet community and plays a vital role in moving the Internet forward. The following links will help you understand how ARIN fits into the bigger picture:

Need Help?

Have a question? Reach out! If you have an ARIN account, you may submit questions by using the Ask ARIN feature when logged in to your account. Questions may be about anything ARIN related: policy process, meetings, elections, billing, etc., and will be routed to the appropriate department for response.

If you don’t have an account, you can submit general questions to info@arin.net. If you have a specific question about requesting or managing Internet number resources, you may contact ARIN’s Registration Services Department by phone at +1.703.227.0660. Registration Services hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM ET. Please use the Tips for Calling the Help Desk page to prepare for your call.

Related

Registration Services Help Desk
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM ET
Phone: +1.703.227.0660
Fax: +1.703.997.8844

Tips for Calling the Help Desk

Financial Services Help Desk
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET
Phone: +1.703.227.9886
Fax: +1.703.997.8708
billing@arin.net