Also called Registered Name Holder · domain owner
Registrant, explained
The registrant can renew, transfer and change the name's settings, and must keep contact details accurate. Under ICANN's registrar agreement, registrars verify the email or phone within 15 days of a registration, transfer or change of registrant, and willfully false data or ignoring an accuracy inquiry for over 15 days can lead to suspension or cancellation. The registrant may differ from the registrar account holder and the technical contact, and with a proxy service the proxy company is the registrant of record.
Make sure the registrant field names you or your company, not a web developer, an employee or a broker, because whoever is listed holds the rights. When you buy a name, the change of registrant is what completes the change of ownership. Under ICANN's current Transfer Policy, a material change of registrant triggers a 60-day lock on moving the name to another registrar unless the registrant opted out beforehand; ICANN's Board adopted revisions on June 7, 2026 that would drop this lock, but they are queued for implementation with no effective date. Public lookups now redact most personal registrant data, so keep your own ownership records.
Example. After an escrow purchase, the buyer confirms in the registrar account that its company is now the registrant and that the contact email is one it controls.
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- ICANN — 2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement (WHOIS Accuracy Program; privacy and proxy specification)
- ICANN — Transfer Policy (change of registrant; 60-day inter-registrar transfer lock)
- ICANN — Registration Data Policy (effective Aug 21, 2025)
- ICANN Board — Approved Resolutions, Regular Meeting, June 7, 2026 (resolution 2026.06.07.04, Transfer Policy recommendations)
Education, not financial, legal or tax advice. Domain investing is speculative and most domain names never sell. Read the disclaimer.