A domain name is an Internet address (example: www.some-company.com). A domain name provides you with an identity or address, on the Internet. It helps you to find and to be found. When a server is searching for something on the World Wide Web (www), it looks for a string of digits known as an IP network address e.g. 156.130.43.30. A domain name is the text translation of this IP address, which is easier to remember than a string of digits.

Registering a suitable domain name on the Internet is the equivalent of registering a company name. Once it has been registered, no one else can use that name. Because so many companies have similar names, it is important to register a suitable domain name as soon as possible. A registrant would go through a registrar to register a domain name with the registry.

What does it mean to "register" a domain name?

The Internet domain name system (DNS) consists of a directory, organized hierarchically, of all the domain names and their corresponding computers registered to particular companies and persons using the Internet. When you register a domain name, it will be associated with the server on the Internet you designate during the period the registration is in effect. On that server, you can create a website which will be accessible to Internet users around the world.

How do I register a domain name?

Domain names can be registered through many different companies (known as "registrars") that compete with one another. The registrar you choose will ask you to provide various contact and technical information that makes up the registration. The registrar will then keep records of the contact information and submit the technical information to a central directory known as the "Registry." This Registry provides other computers on the Internet the information necessary to send you e-mail or to find your web site. You will also be required to enter into a registration contract with the registrar, which sets forth the terms under which your registration is accepted and will be maintained.

How much does a domain name registration name cost?

Each registrar sets the price it charges for registering names, and the prices vary significantly among different registrars.

When do I have to pay for my domain name?

Before your domain name becomes active, you must make the payment. This requirement enhances the availability of domain names by preventing them from being tied up by individuals not intending to pay for registration.

How long does it take to register a domain name?

We apply for the registration of the domain as soon as we receive the required information and payment. It usually takes between 48-72 hours to show up in the online "Whois" databases and becomes active.

How long does a registration last? Can it be renewed?

Each Registrar has the flexibility to offer initial and renewal registrations in one-year increments, provided that the maximum remaining unexpired term shall not exceed ten years.

How do I renew an expired domain name registration?

You can only renew a registration with the current registrar. If the expired registration has gone past the registrar’s grace period, only that registrar will be able to restore the domain name from the Redemption Period.

How do I delete a domain name registration?

Once the domain name has been registered it cannot be deleted.

What are name servers and why do I need them?

Put simply, name servers are what ties a domain name to an IP address. You can obtain name servers from your hosting provider. Name server information would look something like:

Name Server Host Name Name Server IP Address
ns0.some-company.com 216.117.191.20
ns1.some-company.com 216.117.191.22

Will my name and contact information be publicly available?

Yes. Information about who is responsible for domain name(s) is publicly available to allow rapid resolution of technical problems and to permit enforcement of consumer protection, trademark, and other laws. The Registrar will make this information available to the public on a "Whois" site.

I've seen domain names ending with two-letter combinations, like .uk. What are the rules for registering in these domains?

Two letter domains, such as .in, .uk, .de and .jp (for example), are called country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) and correspond to a country, territory, or other geographic location. The rules and policies for registering ccTLDs vary significantly and a number of ccTLDs are reserved for use by citizens of the corresponding country.

Some ICANN-accredited registrars provide registration services in the ccTLDs, however, ICANN does not accredit registrars or set registration policies for ccTLDs. For details about ccTLD registration policies, you should contact the designated country code manager.

I want a domain that has recently expired, but the registrar won't release it. How can I get the name?

Section 3.7.5 of the Registrar Accreditation Agreement requires registrars to delete domain registrations after a second notice and a grace period, unless there are "extenuating circumstances." Some examples of such "extenuating circumstances" might include ownership disputes, payment disputes, or lame server delegations. Only the registrar would know exactly why it hasn't yet deleted a particular name. No specific dates or deadlines are prescribed in the current provisions.

ICANN has not yet adopted a uniform policy concerning the handling of expired domain names. If you're interested in helping to craft such a policy, you can learn more about ICANN's bottom-up, consensus-based process for making new policies at ICANN's website.

What is URL Forwarding and how does it work?

URL Forwarding or Domain Forwarding, allows the directing of your different domains to an existing website address. This helps to broaden a websites footprint, so to speak, by increasing the potential traffic avenues to that site. There is a charge for this facility and it varies from Registrar to Registrar.

What is the Redemption Period?

The Redemption period is a 30-day grace period after your domain expires during which you may still restore your domain for a nominal cost of approximately US$ 150/-.

What are Domain Status Codes and what do they mean?

OK: This is the nominal status value for a domain object at all times, whether or not the domain has pending operations or prohibitions. When the status is OK the domain can be transferred.

Active: The domain can be modified and appears in a zone file. This is the nominal status for a domain object once it has been published in a zone. When the status is Active the domain can be transferred.

Pending Transfer: A transfer request has been received for the domain, and completion of the request is pending. The domain cannot be renewed, deleted, or updated while in this state.

Server Hold: The domain will not be published in a zone for DNS resolution. This status is placed on the domain by the registry. Names without at least two nameservers may be placed on Hold status; in this case submit nameserver data through your registrar.

Client Hold: The domain will not be published in a zone for DNS resolution. This status is placed on the domain by the registrar. Names without at least two nameservers may be placed on Hold status; in this case submit nameserver data through your registrar.

Server Lock: The domain cannot be transferred, renewed, deleted, or updated. This status is placed on the domain by the registry. Hierarchical and associated objects cannot not be added or removed from the domain object. The registry must remove Server Lock status to modify the domain.

Client Lock/Transfer/Update/Delete Prohibited: The domain cannot be transferred, updated, or deleted. This status is placed on the domain by the registrar. An update command may be used to change the status value. Hierarchical and associated objects cannot not be added or removed from the domain object. The registrar must remove Client Lock status to modify the domain. You can typically change the Client Lock status through your registrar's account management interface. The domain can be renewed and will be included in the zone. Client Lock is used to prevent unauthorized transfers and often enabled by registrars by default. Domain names involved in disputes may be locked, subject to registry policies.

Redemption Period: Registry sets this status when a registrar requests that the domain name be deleted from the registry and the domain has been registered for more than 5 calendar days (if the delete request is received within 5 days of initial domain registration it will instead be deleted immediately). The domain will not be included in the zone. The domain can not be modified or purged; it can only be restored. Any other registrar requests to modify or otherwise update the domain will be rejected. A domain will be held in this status for a maximum of 30 calendar days.

Pending Restore: Registry sets this status after a registrar requests restoration of a domain that is in Redemption Period status. The domain will be included in the zone. Registrar requests to modify or otherwise update the domain will be rejected. The domain will be held in this status while the registry waits for the registrar to provide required restoration documentation. If the registrar fails to provide documentation to the registry within 7 calendar days to confirm the restoration request, the domain will revert to Redemption Period status. The domain status will be set to Active only if the registrar provides documentation to the registry within 7 calendar days to confirm the restoration request.

Pending Delete: Registry sets this status after a domain has been set in Redemption Period status and the domain has not been restored by the registrar. The domain will not be included in the zone. Once in this status all registrar requests to modify or otherwise update the domain will be rejected. The domain will be purged and dropped from the registry database after being in this status for 5 calendar days. Once deletion occurs, the domain is available to be registered by anyone on a first come, first serve basis.