Overview
This article is an overview of what WHOIS records are and how to manage them at DreamHost.
Background
WHOIS is a tool used to look up details of a domain name registration. 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 the WHOIS protocol or by using a WHOIS website tool.
FAQs
Do I need to list my real information in the public database?
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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 WHOIS privacy for most domain extensions registered in the DreamHost panel. There are only a few foreign/specialty registries that do not allow WHOIS privacy. You can read more about this service at:
What is the WHOIS 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 the "WHOIS" database. ICANN is a non-profit organization that coordinates the Internet's global domain name system, and registrars (like DreamHost) must comply by their regulations in order to remain accredited.
The WHOIS 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?
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Any change you make to your domain registration occurs immediately, including edits to WHOIS, nameserver(s), and registrant information. However, it may take several hours for DNS changes to update online.
What happens after updating WHOIS information?
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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 WHOIS information
You can make changes to your domain registration's WHOIS information in the DreamHost panel.
- Navigate to the Manage Registrations page.
- Under the Modify Whois column, check the Whois box next to your domain. If you have more than one domain, you can update all of them by clicking the Select all checkbox at the top of the list.
For *.uk domain names, a message appears that tells you to contact Nominet to change the WHOIS info in the panel.
Clicking the link takes you to secure.nominet.org.uk. You can then change your WHOIS information there.
- Click the Modify whois button. The Edit Whois page opens.
- Update all of the fields that you want to modify.
- Click the Save Registrant Contact button to save.
Once you make changes to your contact details, they will be updated in the registry's database within 30-60 minutes.