IPHere.org › Find a domain's registrar
How to find out who your domain registrar is
The registrar is the company you pay for the domain and log in to for renewals and transfers. If you forgot which one it is, you can find out in under a minute.
Step 1: run a WHOIS lookup
Enter the domain in the WHOIS lookup. The Registrar line names the company the domain is registered with, with its website, IANA ID and abuse contact. That is the company to log in to.
Step 2: find your account there
- Search your email (including spam and old addresses) for the registrar's name, "domain renewal", "invoice", or the domain itself.
- Check card and PayPal statements for charges from that registrar, often once a year.
- Try "forgot password" with each email address you have ever used.
- If a web designer or an employee registered it, ask them: the domain may sit in their account.
Registrar vs. DNS host vs. web host
These are often three different companies. The registrar holds the registration; the name servers (shown in the WHOIS result) say where DNS is managed; your website may be hosted somewhere else again. A domain can be registered at one company with its DNS at another, which is why changing a DNS record in the wrong place appears to do nothing. Compare the name servers with the DNS checker.
If WHOIS shows a reseller or an unfamiliar name
Many hosting companies and website builders resell domains through a registrar, so the name shown may be the wholesaler rather than the brand on your invoice. Use the registrar's website or abuse contact to ask which reseller holds the domain, and give the domain name and proof of ownership.
Check the status and expiry date
While you are there, look at the Expires date and Status. A domain that has expired can be recovered, but time matters. Read what happens when a domain expires.
Prevent it happening again
- Turn on auto-renew and keep a current payment card.
- Use a shared mailbox (like domains@yourcompany.com) as the registrant email, not a personal one.
- Keep a list of every domain, its registrar and its expiry date.
- Renew for several years, or lock the domain with a transfer lock.
Frequently asked questions
Can I find the registrar of any domain?
Yes. The registrar is public information for almost every domain, even when the owner details are hidden for privacy.
Why does WHOIS not show the owner of my domain?
Owner details are redacted by default for privacy, but the registrar, dates and name servers stay public.
I do not remember the email I used. What now?
Contact the registrar's support with the domain name and proof of ownership such as a payment receipt. They can verify and help you recover access.
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