Membership Explained

As specified in ARIN’s Bylaws, there are three types of ARIN Members: Service, General and Trustee. Service and General memberships are associated with an organization, represented within ARIN by a unique Organization Identifier (Org ID). Membership rights for organizations with multiple Org IDs depend on the resources associated under each Org ID.

It is not necessary to become a member of ARIN prior to applying for Internet number resources. Members and non-members alike must justify number resource requests based on utilization criteria. Membership is not required to participate in ARIN’s Policy Development Process.

Not sure what type of ARIN Member your organization is?
Check your membership status in your ARIN Online account. If your organization is currently eligible to request General Membership, you can access the General Member request form through the ACTIONS drop down menu.

Service Members

Service Members are entities that have a valid ARIN Registration Services Agreement (RSA or LRSA) for IPv4 address space, IPv6 address space, and/or Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs). Service Members who meet eligibility requirements may receive General Member status upon request.

ARIN relies on the involvement of all its members to accomplish its mission. Service Member organizations are encouraged to attend meetings and engage in policy and mailing list discussions.

Why would my Org ID be marked ‘Membership Ineligible’ on ARIN Online?

An Org ID must have a signed RSA or LRSA covering IP addresses or Autonomous System Numbers issued directly to it in order to be eligible for membership. Organizations interested in covering their legacy Internet number resources under an ARIN Agreement can use Ask ARIN to contact ARIN’s Registration Services Department.

General Members

General Members are entities that have a valid ARIN Registration Services Agreement (RSA or LRSA) for Internet number resources, including IPv4 address space, IPv6 address space and/or Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs). General Members must express commitment to participating in ARIN Elections.

Only Voting Contacts of General Members in Good Standing are eligible to vote in ARIN Elections.

General Members in Good Standing

A General Member in Good Standing is defined as an organization (via its Org ID) that has no overdue annual service fee invoices (Bylaws, Article V, Section 1.b.) and has designated a valid Voting Contact.

Voting Contact

Each ARIN General Member is asked to designate a Voting Contact. This is the only person that is eligible to vote online in ARIN Elections (Bylaws, Article VIII, Section 4.a.) on behalf of the organization.

Organizations must designate a Voting Contact in their ARIN Online account at least 45 days before the ARIN Election opens to be eligible to vote; Organizations may change their designated Voting Contact up to seven days before the election opens.

Voting Contacts are not displayed or identified in Whois. The information is used exclusively for ARIN’s elections and will not be shared with anyone outside ARIN.

Although ARIN sends reminders to update Voting Contact information prior to ARIN’s annual election cycle, it is ultimately an organization’s responsibility to maintain its data and ensure voter eligibility. The Admin and Tech Points of Contact for the organization have the ultimate authority to designate the Voting Contact and to update and change Voting Contact information.

To verify or update your organization’s Voting Contact information, use ARIN Online or contact members@arin.net.

Trustee Members

ARIN Trustees are comprised of the individuals elected or appointed to the ARIN Board of Trustees and the President and CEO of ARIN. ARIN Trustees are members during their tenure on the Board. In addition to their individual Trustee membership, an ARIN Trustee may be associated with a Service or General Member organization as an employee and/or Voting Contact.

More Information

Contact members@arin.net with questions about membership or general ARIN operations, or to update your Voting Contact information.