How do I find where a domain is registered?

Anyone who has ever bought a domain knows how important it is to understand all the details related to its registration. A domain is your digital address, your identity on the Internet, so it is essential to know where it is registered. However, as time goes by, many domain owners forget where they registered it or lose the supporting information. If you find yourself in this situation, don't worry. In this step-by-step guide, we'll explain how to find out where your domain is registered, whether you registered it or not.

Scenario 1: When YOU registered the domain

1. Email search: When you register a domain, it's normal to receive a confirmation email from the registrar with all the registration details. This email is worth its weight in gold. If you have saved this email, searching your inbox may be the fastest way to find out where your domain is registered. Just enter the domain name as a keyword in your email search engine. In addition to the confirmation email, look for other emails you may have received from the registrar, such as domain renewal notices or promotions.
2. View your financial statements: If you haven't saved your email or can't find it, the next step may be to review your financial statements. Search for statements from the date you think you registered the domain. Search for transactions by known domain registrars. This can help narrow your search and identify where you registered the domain.

Scenario 2: When you have NOT registered the domain or you are not sure

1. Use WHOIS search: WHOIS is a publicly available database that contains information about each registered domain. By entering a domain name into sites like whois.net or who.is, you can get information about the registrar, expiration date, owner contact information, and more. This tool is especially useful if you are not sure who registered the domain or if you want to find out more information about another domain that interests you.
2. Pay attention to resellers: When using a WHOIS search, it is important to note that some domains may be registered through resellers. Resellers are third parties that sell domains on behalf of master registrars. In this case, the WHOIS results will show you the name of the master registrar, but not the name of the reseller. If you suspect that your domain is registered through a reseller, it is best to contact the main registrar directly. They will direct you to the reseller through whom the domain was registered.
3. Use additional online tools: In addition to the standard WHOIS search, there are other online tools that can help you find out more information about a domain. Some of these tools can provide you with information about domain history, DNS records, ownership changes, and the like.
4. Whois for all domains except .rs https://www.namesilo.com/whois
5. Whois for .rs domains https://www.rnids.rs/whois

Why is it important to know where your domain is registered?

1. To renew a domain: Your domain doesn't last forever. You must renew it regularly to keep your rights to it. If you don't know where it is registered, you can miss the renewal and risk losing the domain.
2. For DNS changes: If you plan to transfer your site to another hosting or want to make changes to your DNS records, you will need to know where your domain is registered in order to access the control panel and make the necessary changes.
3. For safety: Knowing where your domain is registered allows you to take the necessary steps to protect your domain from unauthorized changes or transfers.