WDH-073 Websites, Domains & Internet Infrastructure
How can I tell who registered a domain in the past?¶
Reconstruct the domain account for the exact period using registrar, registry and historic registration records. Current details may reflect a later transfer, privacy change, expiry or re-registration.
Evidence to consider¶
- registrar account history;
- registry records;
- historic registration databases;
- transfer and renewal records;
- contact changes;
- payment and support records;
- privacy or proxy records.
Interpret the result carefully¶
Technical records may identify a service, account, device or request rather than the person responsible. Preserve exact dates, times and time zones, and test shared access, automation, compromise and changing infrastructure where relevant.
Key takeaway
A historic registrant identifies the recorded domain-account relationship, not automatically the website operator.