Updating Domain Contact Information
It is very important to keep the contact information for your domain name current and valid. ICANN, the organization that regulates domain names, considers the listed registrant to be the true owner of a domain name.
How to Update Domain Contact Information
- Log in to your domain registrar account.
- Navigate to your domains list.
- Click the domain name you wish to update.
- Look for Manage Contacts or Contact Information in the domain settings.
- Update the information you wish to change.
- If you wish to make all contact types (Registrant, Admin, Tech, Billing) the same, look for a checkbox option to copy the registrant info to all contacts.
- Click Save Changes.
Verification Process
After making changes to your domain contact information, you may be required to verify the changes:
- Email verification: You’ll receive an email with a verification code. The email is typically sent immediately.
- Phone verification: You may receive an automated phone call with a verification code to enter.
Important Notes
60-Day Transfer Lock
Under ICANN policy, changing the registrant information on a domain name may trigger a 60-day transfer lock. This means the domain cannot be transferred to another registrar for 60 days after the change. Many registrars offer the option to opt out of this lock during the update process.
WHOIS Privacy
If you have WHOIS privacy protection enabled, a WHOIS search will not show the updated contacts — instead, it will show the privacy service’s information. The actual contacts are still stored by your registrar and can be viewed in your account.
What Contact Types Exist?
| Contact Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Registrant | The legal owner of the domain name |
| Administrative | The person authorized to manage the domain |
| Technical | The technical contact for DNS and hosting issues |
| Billing | The contact for billing and payment matters |
Why Keep Contacts Updated?
- Legal ownership: The registrant contact is considered the legal owner of the domain.
- Account recovery: Accurate contact info is essential for recovering access to your domain.
- ICANN compliance: ICANN requires accurate WHOIS data. Providing false information can result in domain suspension.
- Important notifications: Your registrar sends renewal notices, transfer alerts, and security notifications to the email on file.
- Domain disputes: In case of a dispute, ICANN and courts look at the registrant information.