Websites, Domains & Internet Infrastructure · WDH-029

What records might a domain registrar hold?¶

A registrar usually holds records about the domain-registration account, not the website content itself.

Potential records may include:

• account and contact details;
• email addresses, telephone numbers and postal information;
• payment and billing records;
• registration and renewal dates;
• verification material;
• support communications;
• login IP addresses and access history;
• nameserver or contact changes;
• transfers, resellers and privacy services; and
• account-recovery activity.

What exists depends on the provider, service, relevant date and retention practices.

Frame the request precisely¶

Specify:

• the exact domain;
• the relevant period;
• the account or change of interest; and
• the particular records required.

A request for “all records about the website” may be too broad and may ask the registrar for information it does not hold.

Evidential limits¶

The account holder may not be the website operator. Details may be false, stolen or outdated. A developer, employee or reseller may have registered the domain for someone else.

Compare registrar records with hosting, payment, device, email and access evidence.