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How to find out who owns a domain

By Ash, Founder, HosteazePublished 2 min read

The short answer

Look the domain up with an RDAP tool, ICANN Lookup for .com and similar domains or Nominet's lookup for .uk. You'll usually see the registrar and key dates, but personal details are hidden. To reach the owner, use the registrar's contact form or anonymised email, check the website and Companies House, or request the data with a legitimate reason.

A pair of old binoculars resting on a stack of books by a sunny window, ready for a bit of detective work.
Credit: Ylanite via Pixabay

A few years ago, a domain lookup would often hand you the owner's name, address and phone number. Not any more. Since GDPR, personal details are hidden by default, so a modern lookup tells you less about the person and more about where the domain is managed. That's still enough to get in touch.

How do I look up a domain?

The old tool was WHOIS. Its replacement is RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol), and the lookup sites below use it.

  1. For a .com, .net, .org or other generic domain, go to ICANN Lookup.
  2. For a .uk or .co.uk domain, use Nominet's lookup at rdap.nominet.uk.
  3. Enter the domain, without www or https://.
  4. Read the results: the registrar, the registration and expiry dates, the status and the nameservers.

What will the lookup show me?

DetailUsually shown?
Registrar (the company managing the domain)Yes
Registration and expiry datesYes
Nameservers (who runs its DNS)Yes
Owner's name and addressNo, unless they agreed to publish it
Owner's emailNo, but generic domains must offer a contact form or anonymised address
Company name of the ownerSometimes

We tried it on bbc.co.uk in October 2026. The registrar, dates and nameservers were all visible, but the registrant's name came back blank and the email was marked "redacted for privacy". For the reasons behind this, see what WHOIS privacy is.

How do I contact the owner?

Try the easy routes first.

  1. Visit the website. Look for a contact page or an email address in the footer.
  2. Check for a company number. GOV.UK says limited companies must show their registered number and registered office address on their websites, so you can look the company up on Companies House.
  3. Use the registrar's contact route. For generic domains, ICANN's rules require registrars that hide an email to publish an anonymised address or a web form instead. Look in the lookup results for it.
  4. Check the nameservers. They can tell you which hosting company runs the site, which is useful if you're reporting abuse.

Can I get the hidden details?

Only with a legitimate reason, such as a legal claim, a trade mark dispute or a law enforcement request. For generic domains, ICANN runs the Registration Data Request Service, where you submit a request and the registrar decides whether to release the data. For .uk domains, the lookup results point you to Nominet's data release process.

Curiosity, or wanting to sell the owner something, won't qualify.

What if the domain is about to become available?

If the domain has expired, it may be released eventually. The stages and timings are in what happens when a domain expires. Meanwhile, if you're hunting for a name for a new business, how to choose a domain name for a business has tips for finding a good alternative.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the lookup say "redacted for privacy"?

Because data protection law, including UK GDPR, means registries and registrars hide personal details by default. The owner's details still exist; they're just not public. Our glossary entry on WHOIS privacy explains what's shown and why.

Can I buy a domain someone else owns?

You can ask. Contact the owner through the registrar's form or the website and make an offer. Be wary of anyone who approaches you first demanding a high price for a name close to your brand, and don't pay through unusual channels.

Someone has registered a domain using my brand name. What can I do?

For .com and other generic domains, trade mark owners can use the UDRP, a dispute process run by providers such as WIPO. For .uk domains, Nominet runs its own Dispute Resolution Service. Both need evidence, so take advice before filing.

Sources

  1. ICANN Lookup
  2. Nominet Registrar Resources, .uk WHOIS (now replaced by RDAP lookup)
  3. ICANN, Registration Data Request Service (RDRS)
  4. GOV.UK, Signs, stationery and promotional material (company details on websites)
  5. WIPO, Domain name dispute resolution

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