Change of registrant
Definition
A Change of Registrant refers to the formal process of transferring ownership or control of a domain name from one individual, business, or organization to another. This process ensures that the rights associated with the domain—such as management, renewal, and DNS settings—are legally reassigned. It typically occurs during business acquisitions, rebranding, mergers, or when domains are sold on secondary markets.
The process is governed by policies set by domain registrars and overseen by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Both the current and new registrant must provide approval, and updates are logged in the domain’s WHOIS record. Depending on registrar policies, domains may enter a temporary lock period to prevent fraud or unauthorized transfers.
Advanced
Technically, a Change of Registrant involves updating registrant details in the registry database through Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP) commands. ICANN’s Transfer Policy requires confirmation from both the gaining and losing registrants via email or secure verification methods. Registrars may also impose a 60-day transfer lock to safeguard against domain hijacking.
For corporate environments, Change of Registrant procedures often integrate with brand protection strategies, intellectual property management, and compliance checks. Ensuring accurate and up-to-date records is vital for legal rights, dispute resolution, and domain portfolio management.
Why it matters
Use cases
Metrics
Issues
Example
A technology startup acquires a competitor and takes ownership of its domain portfolio. Through a Change of Registrant process managed by the registrar, all domains are securely reassigned to the acquiring company, ensuring continuity of online presence and brand identity.