:ICP filing application overview

Precautions

• The Alibaba Cloud ICP Filing System and the Alibaba Cloud app support only the Chinese language. Make sure that you can read, write, and understand Chinese when you apply for an ICP filing.
• You can use your Alibaba Cloud account that is registered on the Alibaba Cloud international site (alibabacloud.com) to log on to the Alibaba Cloud ICP Filing system and apply for an ICP filing. However, you must use the Alibaba Cloud app to upload documents. After you download and install the Alibaba Cloud app, use it to scan the QR code on the page for uploading documents. You do not need to log on to the Alibaba Cloud app to perform this action. We recommend that you register an Alibaba Cloud account on the Alibaba Cloud China site (aliyun.com) to apply for an ICP filing and manage ICP information.
• If the entity leader of the ICP filing is not a resident from mainland China, the website administrator must perform facial recognition for identity verification. Under special circumstances, the system will prompt the entity leader and the website administrator to perform facial recognition for identity verification respectively.
  Note In specific cases, the system will prompt the legal representative to perform facial recognition. If this is the case, complete the steps as prompted.
• You must use an Alibaba Cloud account that is registered on the Alibaba Cloud China site (aliyun.com) to log on to the app. You cannot use an Alibaba Cloud account that is registered on the Alibaba Cloud international site (alibabacloud.com). We recommend that you register an Alibaba Cloud account on the Alibaba Cloud China site (aliyun.com) to apply for an ICP filing in the Alibaba Cloud ICP Filing system.

ICP filing description

You can submit an ICP filing application in the Alibaba Cloud ICP Filing system on a PC or in the Alibaba Cloud app.

Note

• Most operations related to ICP filing application can be completed both on a PC and in the Alibaba Cloud app. However, if you need to claim an ICP filing or import ICP filing information, you must use a PC. The Alibaba Cloud app supports certificate recognition and facial recognition. These intelligent features can make ICP filing application easier. Therefore, we recommend that you use the Alibaba Cloud app to apply for an ICP filing.
• To meet the authenticity requirements of the ICP filing authority, you must use the Alibaba Cloud app to upload identity documents and complete authenticity verification when you apply for an ICP filing on a PC.
• If you have completed the ICP filing application in the HiChina ICP Filing system, you can import the ICP filing information to the Alibaba Cloud ICP Filing system and claim the ICP filing.

The procedures for applying for an ICP filing on a PC and in the Alibaba Cloud app are similar. The following example demonstrates how you can apply for an ICP filing in the Alibaba Cloud ICP Filing system on a PC. The differences from using the Alibaba Cloud app are described in each step.

ICP filing procedure

1. Preparations
   • Create an Alibaba Cloud account. Before you apply for an ICP filing, you must create an Alibaba Cloud account that is used to submit the ICP filing application and maintain the ICP filing information. For more information, see Create an Alibaba Cloud account to apply for an ICP filing.
   • Prepare a domain name. You must register a domain name and complete real-name verification before you apply for an ICP filing. Make sure that the domain name complies with ICP filing requirements. For more information, see Prepare and check the domain name.
     Note After you complete real-name verification, about three days are required to synchronize the real-name verification information to the local Communications Administration. We recommend that you submit the ICP filing application three days after the real-name verification of the domain name is completed. Otherwise, the ICP filing may fail due to the lack of real-name verification information in the communications administration database.
   • Prepare an Alibaba Cloud instance.

     Purchase an Alibaba Cloud instance that is located in Mainland China or obtain the service identification number of an Alibaba Cloud instance. Make sure that the instance meets the ICP filing requirements. For more information, see Prepare and check the instance and access information.

   • Obtain a pre-approval.

     If your website provides information or services related to specific industries, such as news, publishing, medicine, medical devices, culture, broadcasting, films, TV programs, education, healthcare, online taxi hailing, and electronic bulletin boards, you must obtain a pre-approval from the local authority before you apply for an ICP filing. For more information, see Pre-approval.

   • Read and understand ICP filing regulations. You must read the ICP filing regulations of the local authority and prepare ICP filing information as required. For more information, see the regulations of each province by clicking the corresponding link in ICP filing regulations of the MIIT in different regions.
2. ICP filing operations
   As described in What is an ICP filing, the following information is verified in the ICP filing application process: the instance, access, entity, and website information. Therefore, you must provide such information and related documents in the Alibaba Cloud ICP Filing system when you apply for an ICP filing.
   1. Enter the basic information about the entity and website for verification.
      In the Alibaba Cloud ICP Filing System, enter the required information by following the instructions, such as entity information and website information. The system verifies the information and determines whether you can apply for an ICP filing.

      Note If you use the Alibaba Cloud app to apply for an ICP filing for your website for the first time or for a new website that has an ICP filing that is not provided by Alibaba Cloud, you must upload the certificates of the entity in this step. If the entity is an individual, you must also complete authenticity verification.
   2. Enter the detailed information about the entity.
      Enter the authentic information about the entity that applies for an ICP filing.
   3. Enter the detailed information about the website.
      Enter the authentic information about the website and the website administrator.

      Note If you use the Alibaba Cloud app to apply for an ICP filing for your website for the first time or for a new website with an ICP filing that is not provided by Alibaba Cloud, you must upload the certificates of the website administrator in this step. If you use the Alibaba Cloud app to apply for an ICP filing, you must verify the authenticity of the website administrator in this step.
   4. Upload certificates and complete authenticity verification.
      Use the latest version of the Alibaba Cloud app to take photos of the authentic certificates and the original ICP filing documents, and then upload them. Facial recognition is required for authenticity verification when you upload specific real-person data.

      Note

      • If you use the Alibaba Cloud app to apply for an ICP filing for your website for the first time or for a new website that has an ICP filing that is not provided by Alibaba Cloud, you need to upload only required documents in this step. Authenticity verification is not required.
      • From July 29, 2019, liveness detection is required when you use the Alibaba Cloud app to apply for an ICP filing based on the authenticity requirements of the ICP filing authority. The original verification method of taking a photo in front of a backdrop is no longer used.
   5. Confirm the information.
      Before you submit the ICP filing application, carefully check the ICP filing information, such as the entity, website, and access information. Make sure that the information is correct.

      Note If you use a PC to apply for an ICP filing, you can check the ICP filing information in the Alibaba Cloud app after you upload the required documents and complete authenticity verification. If you cannot log on to the Alibaba Cloud app by using the credentials of your Alibaba Cloud account, check the information on the PC. If you want to add Alibaba Cloud to the ICP filing information as a service provider, make sure that the content of your website is visible and consistent with the information in a successful ICP filing. Otherwise, your ICP filing application is rejected.
   6. Alibaba Cloud reviews your ICP filing application.
      After you submit the ICP filing application, Alibaba Cloud performs a preliminary review of your ICP filing application.
   7. Mail required documents.
      During the preliminary review of the application, Alibaba Cloud may ask you to mail specified documents to a specified address based on the information that you provided in the preceding steps and the requirements of the local authority.

      Note Alibaba Cloud will notify you if you are required to mail specified documents for the preliminary review of the application. If you do not receive relevant notifications during the preliminary review, you are not required to mail documents to Alibaba Cloud. In this case, the application process proceeds to the next step.
   8. Complete SMS verification.
      Based on the latest requirements of the MIIT, from August 17, 2020 on, when you apply for an ICP filing, you must pass the SMS verification in the .
   9. The local authority reviews your ICP filing application.
      After your ICP filing application passes the preliminary review, Alibaba Cloud submits the application to the corresponding authority for a final review. If you pass the final review, your ICP filing application succeeds. Alibaba Cloud sends you a text message and an email to notify you of the review result.
3. What to do next
   • Add the ICP filing and a copyright notice to your website.

     After your ICP filing application is completed, you must add the ICP filing and a link to the website of the MIIT at the bottom of your website. Website visitors can use the link to query your ICP filing information. Authorities in some provinces such as Jiangsu require you to add a copyright notice at the bottom of websites that have obtained ICP filings.

   • Optional. Apply for an ICP commercial license.

     If your website is a business-related website that provides information or web design services for customers for commercial purposes, you must apply for an ICP commercial license after you complete ICP filing application.

   • Apply for a Public Security Bureau (PSB) filing.

     As stipulated by the Measures for Security Protection Administration of the International Networking of Computer Information Networks of China, after you obtain an ICP filing for your website, you must log on to the National Internet Security Management Service Platform and submit a PSB filing application within 30 days after the launch of your website. For more information, see related content in the ICP filing documentation on the Alibaba Cloud China site (aliyun.com).

4. Considerations after a successful ICP filing
   After you have obtained an ICP filing, Alibaba Cloud verifies the ICP filing information that is recorded in the Alibaba Cloud ICP Filing system. If the ICP filing information is inconsistent with the actual information, modify the ICP filing information at the earliest opportunity to avoid the special verification.