How do I find out who has registered our domain name?

[Edelweiss]

Hi there

As the title says - how do I find out who has the registration of our domain name, and if I want to change that, how do I go about it?

Thanks
Edelweiss

[Whittie]

Hi there, what is your domain name?

You can usually find out with a simple "whois request"

I don't think i'm able to post links as i've not posted enough on the forum...

It is www . who is . net without the spaces.

Alex

[Scootek]

If it's a UK domain try whois on nominet. If you Google nominet you will get their website.

[crossdaz]

Hi there

As the title says - how do I find out who has the registration of our domain name, and if I want to change that, how do I go about it?

Thanks
Edelweiss

yeah, you can check whois . Why is it your domain name btw?

[Tommo]

www.DomainTools.com will provide pretty much anything you need, domain info wise.

You can change your WhoIS info by logging into to your registrar and updating your information from there. Make sure this information is correct.

[Edelweiss]

Our domain is www.train4publishing.co.uk (http://www.train4publishing.co.uk)

I am struggling a bit with the jargon here - when you say log into the registrar, is that the person that holds the registration?

[UKSBD]

http://webwhois.nic.uk/cgi-bin/whois.cgi?query=train4publishing.co.uk

[Edelweiss]

Thank you! Ok, the registrar is EMS, they are also our current host. I am looking to move the hosting contract because we are being .... let's just say bending over comes into it. Do we have to leave our domain name registered with them? So that they can continue to do what they have been doing?

[MrPAYE]

Apologies for piggy backing on the OP, it is related though in my defence :redface:

What is the protocol/ best practice when:


Website has been designed by 3rd party
3rd party registered the domain name
The same 3rd party is the host (for free as part of the package)
The WhoIs site shows the 3rd party as register of the site
Contract with the 3rd oarty confirms absolutely ownership of domain passes on completion of site
Is it really necessary to ask the host to change the WhoIs database to show real owner or does it only become important when thinking of moving host ?

Any comments appreciated.

Cheers

MrP

[Edelweiss]

Don't mind the hijack. It is a good question.

[googol]

Apologies for piggy backing on the OP, it is related though in my defence :redface:

What is the protocol/ best practice when:


Website has been designed by 3rd party
3rd party registered the domain name
The same 3rd party is the host (for free as part of the package)
The WhoIs site shows the 3rd party as register of the site
Contract with the 3rd oarty confirms absolutely ownership of domain passes on completion of site

Is it really necessary to ask the host to change the WhoIs database to show real owner or does it only become important when thinking of moving host ?

Any comments appreciated.

Cheers

MrP

It's probably worth having the info updated as it makes your business look a bit more professional should anybody check the whois database. It also saves any hassle should you fall out with your designer/host and want to move away from them.

[googol]

Thank you! Ok, the registrar is EMS, they are also our current host. I am looking to move the hosting contract because we are being .... let's just say bending over comes into it. Do we have to leave our domain name registered with them? So that they can continue to do what they have been doing?

You should be able to get them to change the registrar tag to that of your new hosting provider (once you've found one).
It's best to have your website setup and ready to go with the new host before doing that, otherwise you could end up with some downtime. Then you can cancel your existing hosting around 48 hours after the transfer is complete.

[Edelweiss]

Thanks! Could someone explain the whole issue of domain names to me please - I'm feeling like a bit of dinosaur!

Let's say our domain name was bought from company X - does that mean they own the domain name?

Who owns domain names?

If we move to a different host and want to move our domain name with it, does that mean the new host has to get the domain name from the current host?

What if they won't give it up?

[fisicx]

Whoever has registered the domain name owns it for the period of registration.

The domain name is registered with the registrar. If you decide to use a new host the registration details don't change, all that you need to do is tell the internet where your site is hosted, and you do this through the control panel of your registrar.

[Edelweiss]

Sorry, still don't get it, our registrar is the company currently hosting our site. I am looking to move to a new host and I don't want them to remain involved.

Who do they register it with? What I mean is, can anybody just sell any domain name to anyone or is there a central register of domain names?

[fisicx]

OK, a registrar is an approved company who can register domain names. You can transfer the domain name to a new registrar, youi can usually do this through the control panel.

The list of approved registrars in the UK are listed here: http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrars/becomeregistrar/taglist/

It's actually worth spending some time on the nominet site as all your questions can be answered.

So to summarise:


The owner of the domain is the one whose name is on the registration documents.
You can change the registration details using your control panel.
You can transfer the domain name to another registrar using your control panal.
You can point the domain name anywhere you like - this means it doesn't matter where the site is hosted or with whom.

[sirearl]

OK, a registrar is an approved company who can register domain names. You can transfer the domain name to a new registrar, youi can usually do this through the control panel.

The list of approved registrars in the UK are listed here: http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrars/becomeregistrar/taglist/

It's actually worth spending some time on the nominet site as all your questions can be answered.

So to summarise:


The owner of the domain is the one whose name is on the registration documents.
You can change the registration details using your control panel.
You can transfer the domain name to another registrar using your control panal.
You can point the domain name anywhere you like - this means it doesn't matter where the site is hosted or with whom.



Sorry but am I mising something the OP can't move anything as they don't own or are the registrant of the domain.?

Earl

[adamb]

Looking at one of the links posted earlier it looks like YOU are the registrant (i.e. owner) of the domain (I'm not allowed to post links so I can't show it to you)

That means you can move it where-ever you want to, all you have to do is get the new host setup and change the name server settings in your registration.

Since it looks like your site is using a CMS system I would advise you to find out how to do a backup and restore of it. Before you do anything that could take your website down.

It would probably be best to speak to the host you're thinking of moving to since some steps in the migration process (email and your CMS in particular) can be a little tricky so it's a good idea to let a professional do it for you.

They should also be able to advise you on how to change name servers etc.

It should be that simple - you can leave the technical stuff to us techies.