Figuring out where a domain was registered

February 25, 2004 6:49 AM

Client has forgotten where he registered domain. We need to change name server info. Whois doesn't really help as it just tells us he's the admin contact, etc. Anyone have any ideas how I can find this info?
posted by damnitkage to Computers & Internet (9 answers total)

WHOIS should list the registrar that the domain was registered with. It's usually in the first few lines of the WHOIS output:

Registrar: DOTSTER

Domain Name: METAFILTER.COM

Created on: 18-MAR-99

Expires on: 18-MAR-09

Last Updated on: 21-FEB-04

Another hint about the registrar will be the WHOIS server that is used to provide the info, in metafilters case, whois.dotster.com .. HTH
posted by djc at 7:07 AM on February 25, 2004

Response by poster: thanks djc. but it doesn't list that info. Just starts out w/registrant....sadly. See below

forgetfulclient.com Back-order this name

Registrant:
forgetfullclient, L.L.C. (WWDCUYUJTD)
2 here
Suite 100
INDEPENDENCE, MO 64057
US

Domain Name: FORGETFULCLIENT.COM

Administrative Contact, Technical Contact:
forgetfullclient, L.L.C. (WWDCUYUJTD)
2 here
Suite 100
INDEPENDENCE, MO 64057
US

Record expires on 17-Dec-2004.
Record created on 17-Dec-2002.
Database last updated on 25-Feb-2004 10:08:49 EST.

Domain servers in listed order:

NS1.XXX.NET XX.XX.XX.X
NS2.XXX.NET XX.XX.XX.X
posted by damnitkage at 7:14 AM on February 25, 2004

the domain servers don't give you a clue? unless the person who registered them preferred otherwise, the default servers are likely associated with the registrar, IME.
posted by o2b at 7:17 AM on February 25, 2004

use
http://www.whois.sc/

look at ICANN Registrar, not Registrant. there HAS to be an ICANN Registrar
posted by yeahyeahyeahwhoo at 7:18 AM on February 25, 2004

Hmm. Wouldn't be Verisign/Netsol? The content is formatted the same as output from whois.networksolutions.com.

WHOIS your domain again, preferably from a different place, check to see if the whois server is listed before any disclaimer that appears before the information.
posted by cheaily at 7:18 AM on February 25, 2004

o2b: Actually, I've found the opposite to be true; it depends on the sort of hosting you get. Most hosts run their own NSs. YMMV.
posted by cheaily at 7:20 AM on February 25, 2004

Response by poster: the name servers aren't where it was registered. i just need to find it to maybe jog his memory.
posted by damnitkage at 7:25 AM on February 25, 2004

Response by poster: thanks yeahyeah, it worked. cool. now i'll have to beat a username/pwd out of him. ah the joy.

thanks again to all!
posted by damnitkage at 7:26 AM on February 25, 2004

You might try just transferring the domain to another registrar. An email varification/fax/something will have to be replied to, but then you wouldn't have to worry about password etc. Usually the new registrar will handle the initiation of the transfer.
posted by y6y6y6 at 8:26 AM on February 25, 2004