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A domain name registrar is the organization you use to register and manage a domain name. For generic top-level domains such as .com, an ICANN-accredited registrar checks the request and submits it to the registry operator, which maintains the authoritative database for that top-level domain. The registrar is your service provider; it is not the registry itself.
What is a domain name registrar?
ICANN defines a registrar as “an organization through which individuals and entities (registrants) register domain names.” A registrar provides the customer-facing account and handles registration requests and ongoing domain management. ICANN glossary: registrar
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For a typical generic top-level domain (gTLD), the registrar checks that the requested name meets the registry’s requirements and sends a valid request to the registry operator. The operator adds the domain to the TLD’s registry. ICANN glossary: domain name registration
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- Registrant: The person or organization that holds the domain registration.
- Registrar: The organization the registrant uses to request the registration and manage the domain.
- Registry operator: The organization that maintains the authoritative database of registered names for a particular top-level domain (TLD).
In short, the registrant holds the registration, the registrar handles the customer relationship and submits requests, and the registry operator maintains the TLD’s database. ICANN glossary: domain name registration
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Are all domain sellers ICANN-accredited registrars?
No. For gTLDs, you may register through an ICANN-accredited registrar or through one of its resellers. A reseller sells registration services through a registrar but is not itself ICANN-accredited; the associated registrar remains responsible for names sold through its resellers. Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs), such as national extensions, may use a different registration route, including registration through the relevant ccTLD operator. The process can vary by TLD, so “domain seller” does not always mean “ICANN-accredited registrar.” ICANN: register a domain name
What does a registrar do after registration?
The registrar is the customer-facing point for managing the domain. The registrant enters into an agreement with the registrar covering registration and maintenance terms, and should be able to get information about registration, management, transfers, renewals, and restoration. ICANN: information for registrants
If someone else registered the domain on your behalf, check who is recorded as the registrant. If a developer or another third party is listed instead of you or your organization, clarify the ownership and account arrangements before you need to transfer or renew the name.
Does registering a domain give you a website or email?
No. Registering a domain associates the name with technical information, but it does not automatically provide a working website or email. You may also need web hosting, an email service, or other services. A registrar may offer these, or you can obtain them separately. ICANN domain name FAQs
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What should you check before choosing or using a registrar?
- Read the registration and maintenance agreement so you understand the terms of the domain relationship.
- Confirm who is listed as the registrant of record, especially if another person set up the domain.
- Understand how the provider handles management, transfers, renewals, and restoration.
- Check separately whether website hosting or email is included; domain registration alone does not supply either service.
These checks help clarify what the registrar relationship covers without confusing domain registration with other online services. ICANN: information for registrants
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