Whois Domain Information
Registration information for domain names is public record. You may check the whois (registration info) of any domain name. The information will include the expiration date, where the name servers are pointed to, IP address and location, owner history, and contact information.
View Whois Information at http://www.whois.sc
Understanding the Whois Data
- Registrant
- It is important that you are listed as the Registrant. It will be hard to prove that you own the domain name if someone else (web host, web designer, employee, friend) is listed as the Registrant.
- Administrative Contact
- Make sure this is you (or someone you trust) as well.
- Creation Date
- The date the domain name was registered. To transfer Registrars, you must wait at least 60 days after the creation date.
- Expiration Date
- The date the registration will expire. If it expires, the domain will go into a "pool" where people can bid and purchase your name before it is released (de-created). When a user goes to www.yourname.com they will be directed to a page that reads "Domain Name For Sale!" instead of your website. Register for more than one year if possible.
- Status
- It should read "Lock" (either Registrar-Lock or Registry-Lock) for protection from unauthorized transfers. Domain name status-codes are defined in this status-code guide.
