To check who owns a domain, you primarily use a WHOIS lookup tool, which queries a publicly accessible database containing domain registration details. Here’s how you can do it:
Steps to Check Domain Ownership
- Go to a WHOIS lookup website: Popular options include who.is, GoDaddy WHOIS, Name.com WHOIS, ICANN Lookup, or Shopify’s WHOIS tool
- Enter the domain name: Type the full domain URL into the search bar on the WHOIS site and submit your query
- Review the WHOIS information: The results typically show:
- Registrant’s name and contact information (name, phone, email, mailing address)
- Domain registrar details
- Domain creation and expiration dates
- Domain status and nameservers
- Check for privacy protection: Many domain owners use privacy services to hide their personal info. If so, the WHOIS record may show proxy or privacy service contacts instead of the actual owner’s info
- If owner info is private: You can try additional steps like:
- Searching the website for contact or company info
- Looking up the business registration details in local databases (e.g., secretary of state websites)
- Using historical WHOIS records or DNS history tools to find previous owner info
Additional Notes
- WHOIS data is maintained by ICANN and domain registrars as part of domain registration requirements
- Some country-code domains (like .pl) only show owner info for companies, not individuals, to protect privacy
- WHOIS info includes domain status codes (e.g., clientTransferProhibited) that indicate restrictions on domain transfer or updates
By following these steps and using WHOIS lookup tools, you can find out who owns a domain or at least get contact info to initiate negotiations or inquiries
