What is the WHOIS database?

Why use WHOIS? 

WHOIS is an public database which enables you to discover data about an specific domain space name. You can discover who registered it, who the registrar is, and who you can contact about the domain name. 

Searching the WHOIS is also a useful way to check whether a space name has been enrolled.

The WHOIS database contains contact and registration information for every domain registered with a particular registrar. WHOIS databases are maintained by individual registrars and not by the central registry.

For this reason they are not always fully up-to date. Most of the systems are updated every 24 hours, which means the results that they return can be up to 47 hours out of date.

When you register a domain name with us, we pass on the contact details to the WHOIS. These will then be publicly available through WHOIS services. For most domain types this is a legal requirement. However, .uk domains administered by Nominet have an opt out system.

A useful site for checking WHOIS information is www.whois.net or www.whoxy.com