WHOIS Lookup
Check registrar details, key dates, nameservers, and domain status.
WHOIS lookups send the queried domain to rdap.org and any RDAP service it redirects to over HTTPS; .bg fallback lookups use whois.register.bg over TCP.
Opt-in localStorage only; stores query text, not results.
What does a WHOIS domain lookup show?
Our WHOIS lookup tool queries RDAP data for a domain, with a whois.register.bg fallback for .bg domains, and normalizes the most useful registration details. This includes registrar information, creation and expiration dates, nameservers, DNSSEC status, and domain status codes. Use it to verify ownership context, audit renewals, or investigate suspicious domains.
How to check domain registration with RDAP
- Enter the registered domain, such as example.com, and run the lookup. Use DNS Lookup for a hostname's DNS records.
- Review the registrar, published registration dates, nameservers, DNSSEC status, and domain status codes. A field can be absent or redacted by the data provider.
- For renewal or transfer decisions, confirm the result in your registrar account. Public registration data provides context and does not verify who controls an account or whether a domain can be purchased.
How to interpret the results
- Registrar and registration dates
- The registration provider and dates published by the registry or registrar. An expiration date is not a promise that a domain will become available on that day.
- Domain status
- clientTransferProhibited is a transfer lock. clientHold or serverHold can prevent DNS activation. redemptionPeriod and pendingDelete describe stages in the deletion lifecycle; check the registrar for available recovery actions.
- Nameservers and DNSSEC
- Registration-level delegation and signing status, when supplied. These fields do not replace a live DNS lookup or a DNSSEC validation test.
- Redacted data or no result
- Registrant details may be withheld. A failed lookup can mean unsupported registry access or a temporary provider failure; it is not proof that a domain is unregistered.
Common Use Cases
- Check when a domain was registered and when it expires
- Review published registration context before a domain transaction
- Investigate potentially fraudulent or phishing domains
- Find published abuse contact information for domain disputes
- Check domain status (active, expired, pending transfer)
Technical references
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between WHOIS and RDAP?
WHOIS and RDAP provide domain registration information. RDAP uses structured responses over HTTPS and supports discovery of authoritative registration services. IPly uses RDAP through rdap.org for most domains, with a whois.register.bg fallback for .bg domains; it does not bypass redaction or guarantee support for every registry.
Why is WHOIS information hidden or redacted?
Many domain owners use WHOIS privacy protection services to hide personal information from public view. GDPR and other privacy regulations have also led registrars to redact personal data by default in many regions.
What do WHOIS domain status codes mean?
Common status codes include: 'clientTransferProhibited' (transfer locked), 'redemptionPeriod' (expired, can be recovered), 'pendingDelete' (about to be released), and 'ok' or 'active' (normal functioning domain).
Can I find who owns any domain?
Not always. Privacy protection services mask owner details, and some registries (especially ccTLDs) have strict privacy policies. You may only see registrar information for protected domains.