Change a domain name holder?

We have put together a number of ‘How do I guides’ for commonly asked questions that we receive at the Domain Name Commission.

We understand that sometimes issues can be complex and these guides might not have all the answers that relate to your specific problem. If this is the case please contact us.

Step 1: Contact the current domain name holder.

Ask the current domain name holder (registrant) to transfer ownership of the domain name to you.  

You can find out who the current registrant is and their contact details for the domain name on the registration record (see the ‘How do I guide’ on ‘Search for a domain name’ for more information on how to perform a search).

If the domain name is registered to a company that no longer exists, you will need to contact us for more information. 

Step 2: Contact the domain name holder’s provider.

If the current registrant agrees, then contact the current domain name holder’s provider (registrar) and ask them what they require to perform a transfer for you.

Please note, you can also find out who the registrar is on the registration record.

Step 3: Changing to a new domain registrar.

Once this process is complete if you would like to transfer your domain to a new registrar, check out our "How do I transfer my domain name guide" 

I contacted the current registrant and they refused to transfer the domain name to me. Is there anything I can do?

If one party feels that they have rights to a domain name that is currently registered to another party the Domain Name Commission has a Dispute Resolution Service (DRS) for this. Here is some more information about the DRS process.

Frequently Asked Questions: Changing Domain Name Holder

How do I contact the current domain name holder for a domain transfer?

You can reach out to the current domain name holder or registrant by finding their contact details on the registration record. Our guide on 'Search for a domain name' can help you perform this search.

What if the domain name is registered to a non-existent company?

If the domain name is registered to a company that no longer exists, you will need to contact the Domain Name Commission directly for further assistance.

How do I contact the domain name holder’s provider for a domain transfer?

Once the current registrant agrees to the domain transfer, you should reach out to the current domain name holder’s provider, also known as the registrar. Their contact information can also be found on the registration record.

Can I change my domain registrar after completing the domain transfer?

Yes, you can transfer your domain to a new registrar once the domain transfer process is completed. For more details on this, please refer to our guide on "How do I transfer my domain name."

What if the current registrant refuses to transfer the domain name to me?

If a dispute arises regarding domain ownership, the Domain Name Commission provides a Dispute Resolution Service (DRS). You can find more information on the DRS process on our website.