Who are the domains registered for?
When you create an account at your Registrar’s, you have to provide your full name and some personal data. All domains registered under that account will belong to the person whose data is listed in the account. Alternatively, the account holder can provide other person’s details for that person to be the domain owner.
How to confirm domain ownership?
The account on the side of your Registrar is the confirmation of ownership for all domains registered under it. Hence, if you provide incorrect data and lose access to your account you can only hope that your Registrar provides a procedure of regaining access to the account along with personal data actualization (you will be expected to provide a scan of your passport/driver’s license and a receipt to confirm the payment for domain registration). Quite likely the Registrar will help you to regain access to your account. He can reject the request though and there will be nothing you can do about it. In case of account theft, it will be near impossible to regain it. As for the paperwork, your Registrar can provide you with a certificate of confirmation that you are the domain owner that you can print out.
Online confirmation of domain or website ownership
Sometimes, you may be asked to allocate a specific file (text file usually) or place a metatag on the main page to confirm your ownership rights. Such request usually comes from Webmaster Tools of different services (like Google). They need it to prevent providing information about your website to third parties. Be careful though to work only with reliable services, because if frauds convince you to allocate their file or code they will be able to take over the website.
How to find out who owns the domain?
Since the domain contacts are not displayed in public WHOIS with the introduction of the GDPR , the only way to contact a domain holder is a contact form at the domain’s Registrar’s website. Alternatively, you can contact the Registrar’s support team with a request to forward your message to the domain holder. Domain’s Registrar is still visible in WHOIS.
How to transfer the domain ownership rights to another person?
This matter is fully described in the article here.
Will the website be up while transferring the ownership?
It will, if the current domain Registrant (owner) is only passing the domain ownership rights (moving the domain from one account to another within the same Registrar). As it will, if the domain was previously pointed to the corresponding nameservers and you don’t have to change its settings (there is a propagation of 24-48 hours if certain changes are made). If you are using the services of a different Registrar and would like for your domain to be transferred to your account there, the domain will not be functional during the transfer period.
Do you need to pay for another year after the domain rights transition?
There are several options here:
- Change of ownership without changing the Registrar – no payment required.
- Change of ownership and Registrar – the domain should be renewed at least 45 days prior to the transfer, because the domain ownership will automatically be renewed for another year during the transfer to a different Registrar.
- Change of ownership and Registrar. If the domain was renewed less than 45 days ago – you will have to renew the domain at your new Registrar’s since it will not be renewed automatically.
Can a domain be transferred to another Registrar?
Yes, it can. You can check all the steps in or article here, check the Registrar’s FAQ or contact their support.
