What is WHOIS Lookup?
WHOIS Lookup is a query system for retrieving domain name registration information. You can check registrar details, nameservers, registration and expiration dates, and registrant contact information (if not privacy-protected). Used for domain availability research, ownership verification, transfer preparation, and security investigations.
What information can I get from WHOIS?
WHOIS provides: **Registrar** (registration company), **Nameservers** (DNS servers), **Registration Date**, **Expiration Date**, **Last Updated Date**, **Domain Status** (transfer lock, etc.), **Registrant Information** (owner name, organization, address, email, phone - often hidden by privacy protection), **Admin and Tech Contacts**. Available information varies by TLD and privacy settings.
Why is registrant information sometimes hidden?
Many domain owners use **WHOIS Privacy Protection** (Domain Privacy, WHOIS Guard) services to hide personal contact details and prevent spam, identity theft, and unwanted solicitation. Privacy protection replaces actual registrant info with proxy contact details. GDPR regulations in Europe also mandate redacting personal data from public WHOIS. However, legitimate entities (law enforcement, trademark holders) can request full data through proper legal channels.
How can I check if a domain is available?
Use WHOIS Lookup to search your desired domain name. If WHOIS returns 'No Data Found' or 'Domain not found', the domain is likely available for registration. If registration information appears, the domain is taken. You can also check expiration dates to see when registered domains might become available. For definitive availability, check with domain registrars directly, as WHOIS data may occasionally be outdated.
What are domain statuses (clientTransferProhibited, etc.)?
Domain statuses indicate the domain's operational state. Common statuses: **clientTransferProhibited**: transfer to other registrars is locked (protection against unauthorized transfers). **clientUpdateProhibited**: domain info updates are restricted. **clientDeleteProhibited**: deletion is prevented. **pendingDelete**: domain is scheduled for deletion. **redemptionPeriod**: grace period after expiration where original owner can still renew. **active** or **ok**: domain is operational without restrictions. Registrars often enable 'Prohibited' statuses by default for security; owners can unlock when transferring.
How do I prepare for a domain transfer using WHOIS?
Before transferring a domain: 1) **Check WHOIS** to verify current registrar and domain status. 2) **Unlock domain** if status shows 'clientTransferProhibited' (unlock via current registrar's control panel). 3) **Verify expiration date** - ensure sufficient time remains (some registrars won't transfer domains close to expiration). 4) **Get authorization code** (EPP code/transfer code) from current registrar. 5) **Verify nameservers** to plan DNS configuration during transfer. 6) **Disable privacy protection** temporarily if required by new registrar. 7) **Confirm admin email** is accessible for transfer approval notifications.
What should I do if WHOIS lookup fails?
If WHOIS lookup fails: 1) **Check domain format** - ensure correct spelling without 'http://' or 'www'. 2) **Verify TLD support** - some rare TLDs may not have public WHOIS servers. 3) **Try alternative WHOIS tools** - different tools may access different WHOIS servers. 4) **Check domain existence** - the domain may not be registered at all. 5) **Wait and retry** - WHOIS servers may temporarily be down or rate-limiting queries. 6) **Use RDAP** - try newer RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol) lookup tools for modern alternatives. 7) **Contact registrar directly** - for specific domains, reach out to the registrar's support.
How often should I check WHOIS for my domains?
Regular WHOIS checks are recommended: **Before expiration** - verify expiration dates every few months to prevent accidental expiry. **After DNS changes** - confirm nameserver updates are reflected in WHOIS (may take 24-48 hours). **Before transfers** - check status and registrar info when planning to change registrars. **Security audits** - periodically verify no unauthorized changes to registrant info or nameservers. **Annual reviews** - check all domain portfolio details annually to ensure accuracy. Setting up auto-renewal and monitoring tools can help automate this process.