diff --git a/api/identity/definitions/request_email_validation.yaml b/api/identity/definitions/request_email_validation.yaml
index 1194a18e..5f15bd41 100644
--- a/api/identity/definitions/request_email_validation.yaml
+++ b/api/identity/definitions/request_email_validation.yaml
@@ -39,7 +39,8 @@ properties:
       avoid repeatedly sending the same email in the case of request
       retries between the POSTing user and the identity server.
       The client should increment this value if they desire a new
-      email (e.g. a reminder) to be sent.
+      email (e.g. a reminder) to be sent. If they do not, the server
+      should respond with success but not resend the email.
     example: 1
   next_link:
     type: string
diff --git a/changelogs/identity_service/newsfragments/2057.clarification b/changelogs/identity_service/newsfragments/2057.clarification
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..de72c201
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/identity_service/newsfragments/2057.clarification
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Clarify what the client should receive upon sending an identical email validation request multiple times.