Information about ARIN

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ARIN Information

What is ARIN?

Established in December 1997 as a Regional Internet Registry, ARIN (American Registry for Internet Numbers) 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 countries.

Mission Statement

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

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 countries.

Learn more about the RIR system at the Number Resource Organization website

Services ARIN Offers

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:

Make the most of all ARIN has to offer by participating in our training and education opportunities. We offer a free library of resources for the ARIN community, including our e-learning platform, ARIN Academy.

Getting Involved with ARIN

ARIN Meetings and Events

ARIN places a premium on being responsive to the needs of the community. We rely on our members to be “good citizens” by voting in elections, attending meetings, and participating in the policy process so we can continue to fulfill our mission.

Help Shape Policy

ARIN manages Internet number resources in its service region with policy developed by the community through our Policy Development Process (PDP). That means anyone has the power to directly shape policy by participating in an open mailing list and/or attending ARIN Public Policy and Members Meetings in person or remotely. This process is open, transparent, and inclusive – an ARIN membership is not required!

Find the status of current policy discussions on the Draft Policies page and subscribe to ARIN-PPML (Public Policy Mailing List) to voice your opinions.

Participate in Meetings & Outreach Events

Sometimes, nothing beats a little face time with the Internet community and ARIN staff. From ARIN on the Roads to Deep Dives to Internet community events, we work to engage and educate our customers.

For a complete listing of upcoming community events, please visit our event calendar.

ARIN holds biannual Public Policy and Members Meetings in the second and fourth quarters in various locations throughout the ARIN region. These meetings provide an opportunity for the entire Internet community to engage in policy discussions, network with colleagues, and learn more about ARIN services and operations. Registration is free for all attendees who register in advance, and remote participation is available for those who can’t attend in person. Be sure to check out ARIN’s Fellowship Program for a chance to receive financial assistance to attend an ARIN Public Policy and Members Meeting.

ARIN Elections

Each year, Voting Contacts from ARIN General Members in Good Standing elect representatives to the ARIN Board of Trustees and Advisory Council (AC). A member from the ARIN region is either elected or appointed to the Number Resource Organization Number Council (NRO NC) during the same time frame.

To learn more about voting in ARIN Elections, the requirements for voting, and a list of key dates, visit our Elections page.

The ability to vote in ARIN Elections is undoubtedly the most important perk of ARIN General Membership, and we want to hear your voice!

Learn more about how to become a General Member and vote in ARIN Elections by visiting our membership page.

Other Ways to Participate

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.

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

Who is eligible to request Internet number resources?

Businesses, nonprofit corporations, or government entities are eligible to request resources from ARIN. This includes individuals that meet the legal requirements of the jurisdiction where they conduct business. ARIN requires an organization requesting Internet number resources to be an active business entity legally formed within the ARIN service region.

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 Internet number resources 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 Point of Contact in the Whois database. Each contact has a maximum of 60 days to either respond that their Whois contact information is correct and complete or to provide updates to the Point of Contact. To learn more about Point of Contact validation, visit the Point of Contact 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 Point of Contact 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 tool, ARIN Online.

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 how ARIN fits into the Internet community?

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:

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