Nominet

Computers connected to the Internet have unique numerical addresses so that electronic information is delivered to the right place. The domain name system (DNS) translates the numerical addresses of computers into more user-friendly names. The resulting domain names are easier to remember and help people to find information on the Internet.

Domain names are used to identify particular web pages. For example, in the web site address "http://nominet.org.uk/index.html" the domain name is nominet.org.uk.

Domain names are also used in e-mail addresses, for example, user@nominet.org.uk, that enable people to send and receive electronic messages.

What is a registrant?

A registrant is the individual or organisation (e.g. limited company, partnership, sole trader etc) that registers a specific domain name. This individual or organisation holds the right to use that domain name for a specified period of time (two years for a domain name ending in .uk ). This person or organisation is the ‘legal entity’ bound by the terms and conditions of the domain name registration agreement with Nominet.

What is a ‘registrar’?

A registrar is the company or organisation that you choose to register your domain name through. This may be an ISP or a domain name reseller or just a company that specialises in registering domain names. Registrars have previously been referred to as 'Registration Agents' or 'Tag Holders'.

The registrar is the agent through which people register domain names – it does not mean that they are an agent of Nominet. Your registrar may be a member of Nominet, but they will act on your behalf rather than Nominet’s behalf.

What domain names are available to be registered?

In order to check what domain names are available to be registered you can use our free on-line search facility - called WHOIS - which enables an enquirer to find out whether a domain name is available and, if not, the organisation or person to whom it is registered, and when that registration was made.

The WHOIS data is updated from the register approximately every five minutes.

Please note:

WHOIS can only search for domain name registrations ending in co.uk, .ltd.uk, .me.uk, .net.uk, .org.uk, .plc.uk, and .sch.uk .The other .uk Second Level Domains are referred to as delegated, and domain name registries around the world explains other Top Level Domains.
You must enter the full domain name - for instance, widget.co.uk - not just widget
Do not put ‘www.’ in front of the name

Your registrar can also help check the availability of a domain name.

Make an enquiry on WHOIS.

How do I register a domain name?

We recommend that you register your domain name through a registrar. A list of registrars who are Nominet members is available. In addition to registering the domain name they will usually also be able to offer services such as hosting your website and forwarding email.

Can I reserve a domain name?

No. Nominet UK allocates domain names on a strictly first-come, first-served basis.

If you wish to check whether a specific domain name is available to register you can use Nominet’s free online search facility known as WHOIS.

How can I tell if my domain name has been registered?

The WHOIS at http://www.nominet.org.uk is a mechanism that lets anyone view a register database entry. Enter your full domain name and the WHOIS will respond with information about your domain name.

The WHOIS

What is the WHOIS and what information does it display?

The WHOIS is Nominet’s free online search facility that you can use to find out whether a .uk domain name is available, and if not, details of who has registered it.

The WHOIS will show the following information:

* Registrant name
* Registrant address (if the opt-out has not been chosen)
* Registration Agent's name (Registrar)
* Registration Agent's TAG name (Registrar's Tag)
* Registration Agent's web address (Registrar's Web address)
* Date of registration
* Last time registration was updated
* Date renewal is due
* Registration status of domain name
* Name server information

Is Nominet allowed to publish my address details on the WHOIS?

Yes, Nominet has a contract with every domain name holder under the Terms and Conditions of domain name registration. Under this contract, Nominet is entitled to publish the records its holds for your registration. Our Terms and Conditions draw our customers' attention to the opt-out facility.

How can I opt out and what will the WHOIS say if I opt out?

Nominet appreciates that some individuals are concerned about having their personal address published on the WHOIS and has responded to these concerns by giving non-trading individuals an opportunity to opt out of having their address details displayed. If you are a non-trading individual, you will be able to opt out of the WHOIS by speaking to your registrar, who in turn will modify the domain name record held by Nominet on your behalf so that your address details are not displayed. In cases where the domain name holder has chosen to opt out, the WHOIS will return the registrant's name but the address field will state: "This registrant is a non-trading individual who has opten to have their address omitted from the WHOIS service."

What should I do if the information on the WHOIS is incorrect?

In the first instance, you should speak to your registrar. For example, if your published registrant address is incorrect your registrar will be able to amend these records on Nominet's database.

What does the Renewal date mean?

The renewal date given on the WHOIS is the next date on which the domain name is due to be renewed (i.e. two years after the original registration or last renewal was made). A renewal fee must be paid before a domain name can be renewed.

The renewal date will be updated once Nominet has been paid for the domain name renewal. At this point, the listing will be changed to show the date on which the domain name is next due for renewal.

Cost recovery charges

How much does a registrant transfer cost?

We charge £10 + VAT for each registrant transfer that we are asked to make. If one registrant wants to transfer a group of domain names to another registrant and the details of both parties are identical for all the transfers, then we offer a bulk service where the group of domains can be transferred as one transaction for the same £10+VAT administration fee.

How much does it cost to change my registrar?

We charge £10 + VAT for a registrar change that we are asked to action, regardless of the number of domain names. Your current registrar will also be able to arrange for your domains to be moved to a new registrar and you should approach them in the first instance to arrange this.

How much does it cost to renew my domain name?

If you renew your domain name via your registrar you are likely to get a discount on the full rate renewal price (£80 + VAT for two years) as we offer our members a discounted renewal rate of £5 + VAT (for two years) per domain name.

Registrar

What is a Tag?

Your registrar (Registration Agent or Internet Service Provider) is likely to be a Nominet Tag holder. A 'Tag' is a one word code in upper case letters that uniquely identifies your registrar's account with us. By having a Tag your registrar gains access to our automated domain name management system.

How do I contact my registrar?

If you want to contact your registrar but don't have their details you can search for them on the list of Nominet members. If you can't find them there you could use a web-based search engine to find the company or you can call our support team on 01865 332244 for further advice.

Making changes to your domain name

How do I correct the registrant’s name?

To correct the registrant's name the admin contact for their account should login to Online Services to update the registrant's details.

How can I change my registrar (tag/ISP/registration agent)?

If you wish to move your domain name from your current registrar to another you should contact your current registrar and ask them to move the name across to the new provider. If your registrar refuses to do this, or you are unable to contact them because they have ceased trading the admin contact for the domain name should login to Online Services and submit a request to change the registrar. We charge £10+VAT for this service.

Find out more about changing your registrar.

To confirm who your registrar is you can use the WHOIS search.

How do I cancel my domain name?

To cancel a domain name prior to its natural expiry due to non renewal you will need complete the cancellation process in Online Services.

Domain names scheduled for cancellation will be removed from the register on the day of cancellation at some point before midnight.

How do I change registrant/transfer my domain name to someone else?

Full details on completing a transfer are available.

How do I update my contact details?

If you need to update the address details associated with your domain name registration, then you should do this through your registrar. It is the registrar's responsibility to then update your address details via Nominet's automated system.

However, in certain circumstances your registrar may be unable or unwilling to make the changes you request. In these circumstances you can use our Online Service.

What do I do if my domain name does not end .uk?

If your domain name does not end .uk you should contact your registrar and ask them to update your domain name. If they are unable to do this you can contact the registry that is responsible for your domain name. Find the appropriate registry using this list of top level domain registries.

Renewals

How do I renew my domain name?

Your registrar is able to renew your domain name for you. The domain name will then be included on their next invoice.

How far in advance of expiry can my domain name be renewed?

A domain name can be renewed up to six months prior to the expiry date.

What will happen if my registrar doesn't positively renew my domain name?

If a renewal request is not received from your registrar, we will send you a renewal reminder by email. You will have 30 days to arrange for your registrar to renew the domain name. If we do not receive a renewal request for your domain name within 30 days of the expiry date, the domain name will be suspended. It will then be cancelled 60 days after suspension if we have still not recieved a renewal instruction for your domain name from your registrar.

Can I tell when my domain name will expire?

All domain name registrations ending in .uk last for two years from the date of registration and you can check when your domain name is due for renewal by using the WHOIS facility. Your registrar will normally contact you before your domain name expires to ask if you wish to renew it for another two-year period. If for any reason they do not contact you, we will contact you by email to check whether you would like to renew.