Overview
This article is an overview of what domain registration contact information is and how to manage it at DreamHost.
Background
These details contain information about the date the domain was registered, its expiration date, registrant information, nameservers, and the domain registrar.
When a domain is registered, ICANN requires that this information be listed in a public database that can be viewed by anyone using a lookup tool.
FAQs
Do I need to list my real information in the public database?
ICANN requires that domain owners have true and accurate ownership details on file with the registry. They can even force registrars to suspend customer domains if there is inaccurate ownership information listed in the system, and as a domain owner, you are required to list true and accurate ownership details for any domains you register.
Can I hide my personal information?
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Yes. DreamHost offers free Domain Privacy for most domain extensions registered in the panel. There are only a few foreign/specialty registries that do not allow Domain Privacy. You can read more about this service at:
What is the domain registration information database?
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The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) broadly requires that the mailing address, phone number, and email address of those owning or administering a domain name be made publicly available through a domain registration information database. ICANN is a non-profit organization that coordinates the Internet's global domain name system, and registrars (like DreamHost) must comply with their regulations in order to remain accredited.
The domain registration information database allows anyone to obtain information on a domain name, including who registered it, when it was created, and contact details.
When do changes I make to my domain registration occur?
Any change you make to your domain registration occurs immediately, including edits to contact information, nameserver(s), and registrant information. However, it may take several hours for DNS changes to update online.
What happens after updating the contact information?
Due to ICANN's Transfer Policy, any change made to the registrant's name, organization, or email address will place the domain in a 60-day transfer lock. It will also trigger notification emails to the old and new registrants notifying them of the change. See this article for further details.
Emails you receive after changing your information
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Immediately after changing your information, you'll receive an email from DreamHost notifying you of the change. This email is sent from support@dreamhost.com.
If you haven't verified your contact information before, you will also receive an email from do-not-reply@dreamhostregistry.com to verify your name and email address. This will contain a link you must click to ensure your site continues to function properly.
Updating the domain registration contact information
You can make changes to your domain registration's information in the DreamHost panel.
- Navigate to the Manage Registrations page.
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Under the Modify Settings column, check the Settings box next to your domain. If you have more than one domain, you can update all of them by clicking the checkbox at the top of the list.
For *.uk domain names, a message appears that tells you to contact Nominet to change the domain registration contact information in the panel.
Clicking the link takes you to secure.nominet.org.uk. You can then change your information there.
- Click the Settings button. The Contact Information page opens.
- Update all of the fields that you want to modify.
- Click the Save Changes button to save.
Once you make changes to your contact details, they will be updated in the registry's database within 30-60 minutes.