About Zone File Access
Registry operators must provide to ICANN bulk access to the zone files of the Generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) at least on a daily basis. For gTLDs, a zone file contains information about domain names that are active in that gTLD. In general, Internet users may be able to access and download zone file data at no cost for certain purposes. The Internet user must either sign an agreement with the registry that operates that TLD, or electronically sign the agreement via ICANN Centralized Zone Data Service (CZDS), depending on which version of the base registry agreement governs the relationship between ICANN and the registry operator. Approved users can access zone data for at least three months, and download the zone data once per 24-hour period. Under certain circumstances a Registry Operator may deny or revoke access.
The zone file access agreement for each gTLD (including approved uses) is in Appendix 3 of Registry Agreement for a TLD delegated into the root zone prior to the year 2013 that has not since renewed its Registry Agreement; or Specification 4, section 2, for a TLD delegated during and after 2013. ICANN maintains a webpage with all current registry agreements.
Please note the Registry Agreement (contract) does not define a time period by which registry operators must process zone file access requests. Therefore, you are encouraged to check the zone file access policy or procedure of a gTLD, where it exists, for more information.
This contractual obligation does not apply to any ccTLD (such as .us, .de, or .uk). If you have a complaint about gTLD zone file access, please submit a Zone File Access Complaint Form.