It is not uncommon for a registrant to be unaware that their registrar or ISP has stopped trading. The servers often continue to work because they may belong to a third party and the web site and email may continue to function for some time. If the registrant is not using their domain name it may not become obvious until the domain name is due for renewal.
The first signs of a failing business are usually that invoices are not paid on time. We will take the usual credit control precaution of stopping credit until the account is back in good order but if this is unsuccessful and we have to move to legal proceedings this can take several months to be resolved.
The failing registrar may be taken over by another registrar and we have to make sure that this arrangement is agreed by all parties. If the registrar is in liquidation or has been struck off the Companies Register, we will only accept the authority of the liquidator as to how the domain names on the registrar's account (tag) will be administered.
We will try to contact the registrants of all domain names registered by a registrar who is no longer trading by email to the contact email address on the register. If there are any outstanding fees, we have the right, through our Terms and Conditions to recover those fees from the registrant of the domain name. We will also request that the registrant transfers the domain name to a valid registrar.
If we are unable to contact the registrant, the domain name will be transferred to a neutral tag and the renewal invoice issued at non-members rate to the last known address. If we do not receive the fee within 30 days of the date of the invoice, we will suspend the domain name and subsequently cancel it. The domain name will then be available for registration by other parties.
I can't get in touch with my registrar what's going on?
If you have tried to contact your registrar over a period of time but have not received a reply, it may be because the company is no longer trading or has gone into liquidation. You can phone us on 01865 332211 to check the company's contact details. However, if the company is in liquidation (and you owe or are owed money), the liquidator will contact you.
Who is Nominet UK?
We keep the details of all .uk domain names on a central register database. We are the national registry for .uk Internet names, just like the DVLA is for driving licences. Registrars and internet service providers act as agents for people registering domain names and, in turn, have to register each .uk domain name with us.
If my registrar is in liquidation, what's going to happen to my domain name, website and email facilities?
It is likely that these will stop working. In some cases, your registrar may have come to an arrangement with another registrar to take over its business, but it is more than likely that you will need to find a new registrar as quickly as possible to restore your web site and email facilities.
Which other registrars do you recommend?
You should shop around for a registrar that provides the range of services you need. Get competitive quotes, but remember that the cheapest price is not necessarily the best. Ask other users for recommendations and ask the registrar for references from other customers. Carefully check the details of the contract before you sign.
How do I switch to a new registrar?
Once you have found a new registrar, you need to contact your original registrar to ask them to move the domain name to the new provider. If you cannot contact them, or they refuse to move the domain name, you need to follow the instructions available on our web site. We will also try to contact your registrar about your request. If we cannot do so, we will move the domain name with your written authority. We will also need to check that there are no registration or renewal fees for the domain name that you (or your registrar) have not paid.
What will happen if I don't switch to a new registrar?
If you take no action to move to another registrar, your web site and email facilities may stop working. Also, when your domain name is due for renewal (two years after the registration date, and every two years after that), we will send the invoice to you at the full rate of £80 plus VAT. If we do not have your correct contact details you will not receive the invoice so you will not pay the fee. If you do not pay the fee, we will suspend and then cancel your domain name