---
title: Validate object instances
slug: cms-11/dev-docs/validating-object-instances
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-07-22T19:45:18.000Z
---

The validation service implements the `EPiServer.Validation.IValidationService` interface to validate object instances. You can retrieve the service instance from the IOC container. The service has a single method: `IEnumerable<ValidationError> Validate(object instance);`.

The service locates implementations of `EPiServer.Validation.IValidate<T>` during initialization. When a validation request comes for an object instance, the service checks which registered validators the passed-in object assigns and then calls the validators to perform validation.

## IValidate`<T>` interface

To implement a validator, create a class that implements the `EPiServer.Validation.IValidate<T>` interface, which has a single method defined as: `IEnumerable<ValidationError> Validate(T instance);`.

You do not need an explicit registration. The validation service locates classes that implement the interface during initialization. When you call `EPiServer.Validation.IValidationService` to validate an object instance, it calls each validator to which you can assign the object instance. You can implement a validator for an interface or a base class and then call that validator whenever you validate an object that implements or inherits the registered type.

## IContentSaveValidate`<TContent>`

To implement a validator that only runs when you save content, you can implement `IContentSaveValidation`, which extends `IValidate` but also adds contextual information, such as which save action was used.

## DataAnnotationsValidator

Use the `EPiServer.Validation.DataAnnotationsValidator<T>` base class when you implement a validator that validates against attributes that inherit `System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations.ValidationAttribute`.

## Content validation

`EPiServer.IContentRepository.Save` validates a content instance before you save it to verify that you set the required properties. It also validates the properties on the model class (the class inheriting `PageData` or `BlockData` or that implements `IContent`) against any attributes inheriting from `System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations.ValidationAttribute`.

You can prevent validation by using the save action `EPiServer.DataAccess.SaveAction.SkipValidation` flag during save as follows (here it assumes that an instance of `EPiServer.IContentRepository` was retrieved from the IOC container and assigned to variable `contentRepository`):
`contentRepository.Save(page, SaveAction.Publish | SaveAction.SkipValidation);`