Glossary · ENCheck a domain

Domain registrant

A domain registrant is the person or organization recorded as holding the rights to a registered domain name. The registrant is the party associated with the domain registration; the company that sells or manages the registration is usually the registrar.

What does a registrant do?

When someone registers a domain, the registration is recorded through a domain registrar and in the system for that domain ending. The registrant supplies the information required for the registration and has an agreement with the registrar that sets out their relationship. The domain can then be connected to services such as a website or email, but the registrant does not have to provide those services themselves.

For example, Alex registers alex-portfolio.example for a portfolio. The registrar processes the registration, while Alex is the registrant associated with it. Alex can use another company for web hosting, and can change where the website is hosted without changing who the registrant is, provided the domain registration itself remains in place.

Is the registrant always one individual?

No. A registrant can be an individual or an organization. If an employee registers a company domain, the registration details and agreement should make clear whether the company or the employee is the registrant. The person who types the details into a registrar's form is not necessarily the party that should hold the registration rights. Check the account and registration agreement instead of assuming that the account user and registrant are the same.

Is a registrant the same as a registrar or a registry?

No. The registrant is the person or organization associated with the domain registration. The registrar is the service provider that handles registration for customers. The registry operator maintains the central registration system for a particular top-level domain, such as .com or a country-code ending. These roles work together, but they are different parties.

The process also depends on the domain ending. ICANN's accreditation and registration policies cover generic top-level domains such as .com; country-code domains may be managed under the rules of their own registry operators. Read the terms for the specific ending and registrar when you need to know the exact requirements.

Are the registrant's details public?

Not necessarily. Registration data is collected and handled under the rules for that registration, and some details may be hidden or removed from public lookup results. For generic top-level domains, ICANN's Registration Data Policy governs how contracted registrars and registry operators collect, transfer, publish, and retain registration data. It also covers requests for access to nonpublic data. These policy details do not automatically apply to every country-code domain.

If you are registering a domain, use accurate contact information and keep access to the registrar account. If a company should hold the registration, use its details where the registrar's process permits. This helps the intended registrant manage renewals, account changes, and requests about the registration. The exact duties and available privacy options depend on the registration agreement and domain ending.

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