1. What is a domain name registry? A registrar? A
registrant?
A registry maintains the authoritative, master database of domain names for a
top-level domain (TLD) such as .ORG. The registry ensures that each domain name
is unique. The registry also generates a "zone" file, which allows computers to
route Internet traffic to and from .ORG domain names around the world. PIR is
the registry for the .ORG TLD.
Registries such as PIR do not accept domain name registrations directly from
the public. Instead, the registry receives domain name registration requests
from registrars, the "retailers" that register domain names on behalf of
registrants. Registrants are people or organizations that would like to
register and use a domain name. View the list of
registrars for .ORG domain names.
2. My Web site disappeared. Where did it go?
Your registration may have expired. When you register a domain name, you can
register it for one to 10 years. When your registration expires, the .ORG
registry will auto-renew the domain name for one year and debit your
registrar's account for the renewal fee. If your registrar does not receive
your registration payment, your registrar can take one of several actions,
including deleting or placing your domain name on "Hold". These actions will
remove your domain name from the .ORG zone file, and all Internet services,
including e-mail, for that domain name will cease.
If the registrar deletes your domain name, you have 30 days from the date of
deletion to contact your registrar to restore and renew it. See
Frequently Asked Questions: Redemption Grace Period for more
information.
3. Who can tell me why my domain name isn't working?
As much as PIR would like to assist you, PIR also must protect you and your
privacy. For this reason, you will need to contact your registrar or reseller
to determine why your domain name is down.
4. Can I register a .ORG domain name?
Yes. .ORG always has been -- and will continue to be -- an open and
unrestricted domain. Anyone is allowed to register and use .ORG domain names.
.ORG is the home for millions of nonprofit Web sites, including charitable,
artistic, scientific, personal, educational, social, cultural and religious
sites.
.ORG sites are run by clubs, incorporated and unincorporated not-for-profit
organizations, industry associations, families, individuals, schools,
foundations, and more. Even for-profit companies have .ORG sites devoted to
their noncommercial activities, such as charitable or volunteer programs.
Many noncommercial organizations conduct commerce to support their activities.
Examples include clubs that raise funds, hospitals, noncommercial Web sites
that run advertising to support their operations, etc.
5. I found a site online that sells .ORG domain names, but it isn't on
PIR's list of authorized registrars. Why not?
Some registrars that have been accredited by the Internet Corporation for
Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) have "resellers". The registrar
provides its resellers with the tools, such as back-end systems and customer
service, required to register domain names. Using its registrar's systems, the
reseller then has the ability to sell domain names to whomever it wishes, such
as the general public. This is an extra link in the distribution chain.
If a site that sells .ORG domain names is not on our list of authorized
registrars, it may be a reseller. If you look up a domain name in the
.ORG
WHOIS, it
will display the name of the PIR-authorized registrar (not the name of its
reseller) in the "Sponsoring Registrar" field.
6. I have been trying to register a one-character or two-letter .ORG
domain name, but I can't. Why not?
Certain domain names are to be reserved per ICANN's directive. (See
Appendix K .) The domain names listed there, including all
one-character and two-character domains, are reserved "from initial (i.e.,
other than renewal) registration within the TLD." In other words, should
any of those previously registered domain names be allowed to expire, or if
they are deleted, they will be placed on reserved status and will NOT be made
available to the public for registration again.
7. I found a .ORG Web site that is commercial in nature. Is this
allowed?
Yes. .ORG is an unrestricted top-level domain, and anyone can register.
8. Why isn't .ORG strictly limited to not-for-profits?
.ORG has been an open and unrestricted domain since it was created in the
1980s. It would be difficult, expensive and sometimes unfair to impose new
restrictions. For example:
-
It would be difficult to determine what is a not-for-profit and what isn't.
Every country has different laws and definitions about what a nonprofit is.
-
Verifying the site and credentials of every applicant around the world could
multiply the cost and time for registering a .ORG domain name. Verification
would require many staff people who read different languages and would slow
down the registration process from minutes to weeks or months. PIR receives
just $6 per year for each .ORG domain name, most of which goes to running and
improving .ORG's infrastructure and technology.
-
Because .ORG has been unrestricted for so long, it would be unfair to take
domain names away from people who registered them under old requirements.
9. How do I make changes to my domain name, including adding name
servers or making Domain Name System (DNS) changes?
To make changes to your domain name - including changing name servers, renewing
your domain name, or transferring or deleting a domain name you need to contact
your registrar or reseller, who will put the request through to the .ORG
registry. PIR, like all other domain name registries, is not allowed to change
records directly for registrants.
If you have problems reaching your reseller, you should contact the registrar
of record listed in the WHOIS database for your domain name. If you are unable
to reach your registrar or your registrar is not responsive, you can
file a complaint with ICANN.
10. How do I transfer my domain name to a new host? A new registrant?
A new registrar?
To transfer your domain name to a new host, you need to access your domain name
record through your registrar or reseller and update it. You do not need an
auth code to change your host.
To transfer your domain name to a new registrant, you should update the contact
information through the sponsoring registrar. PIR cannot do this for you; you
must do it through the registrar.
To transfer your domain name to a new registrar:
-
Obtain the authorization code (auth code) from the current sponsoring registrar
of the domain name. Please consult the
WHOIS
search to find out who the sponsoring registrar is.
-
After you receive your auth code, supply it to the registrar to whom you wish
to transfer the domain name.
-
The new registrar should then initiate the transfer. Once initiated, the
transfer will be completed within five 24-hour periods.
-
PIR advises that you change your auth code after a transfer. You can do this
through the new registrar.
11. I want to transfer my domain name, but my registrar is asking for
an authorization code (auth code). What is it, and where can I get mine?
The auth code is a six- to 16-character code assigned by the current sponsoring
registrar. The auth code is basically a password for the domain. Auth codes are
an extra security measure, ensuring that only the owner of the domain name can
make transfers.
If you do not know your auth code, you can obtain it from your registrar.
Registrars are contractually required to provide the auth code upon the request
by the registrant.
-
Sponsoring registrars can obtain the auth code for their sponsored domain names
by sending an EPP
command to the registry. Registrars are able to obtain auth codes only for the domain names they sponsor.
-
PIR does not give out authorization codes to registrants. PIR advises that you
change your auth code after a transfer. You can do this through your new
sponsoring registrar.
12. Can PIR confirm the auth code my registrar gave me?
No, but the registrar you are transferring to can verify the auth code.
13. I need the username and password for my domain name. Can PIR send
them to me?
No. Each registrar and reseller uses a unique contact management system. You
will have to contact your registrar or reseller directly to obtain this
information.
14. Can I renew my registration after the expiration date has passed?
Yes, but the steps you have to take to renew your registration once the
expiration date has passed are based on the policies of your registrar.
When a domain name reaches the expiration date, the registry will auto-renew it
for one year and debit your registrar's account for the renewal fee. If your
registrar has not yet received your registration payment, your registrar can
take one of several actions, including deleting or placing your domain name on
Hold. It is up to the registrant to verify that he or she has submitted the
renewal fee to the registrar.
If your registrar has deleted your domain name, it is placed in the Redemption
Grace Period (RGP) status of "Pending Delete--Restorable." Through the RGP, you
have 30 days from the time your domain name is deleted to restore and renew it.
After 30 days, you may not restore or renew the domain. See "
Redemption
Grace Period" for more information.
15. My domain name is listed as "Inactive." Why?
Any domain name that does not have at least two name servers associated with it
is listed as "Inactive." This means that the domain name will not resolve and
be usable on the Internet. Once you add two name servers through your
registrar, the Inactive status will be taken off automatically, and the domain
name will resolve and be usable.
16. Why are the changes I made to my domain name through my registrar
not reflected on WHOIS?
Registrars are responsible for updating the registries' systems with all
changes. If the information for your domain name has not been updated at the
registry, please contact your registrar or reseller.
17. My domain name was deleted and not renewed. Now it is registered
to another party. Can I get it back?
You must contact your registrar or reseller to determine what if anything can
be done. You also may
file a complaint with ICANN.
18. How do I find out who has registered a domain name?
Look up the domain name through the
WHOIS service provided by PIR. The registrant will be listed.
19. How do I backorder a domain name?
There are third parties that offer this service. Please contact your registrar
or reseller for information on how to place a backorder on a .ORG domain name.
20. I am having trouble with my registrar. With whom can I file a
complaint?
If your registrar is not providing you assistance with your domain name
inquiry, you may contact
ICANN and file a complaint.
21. How is PIR improving .ORG?
PIR has made a number of improvements to .ORG and is planning a variety of
other efforts. See the "
Strengthening
the Internet" section for more information.
22. How many .ORG domain names are there?
More than five million .ORG domain names currently are registered. This does
not include subdomains created by other TLDs, such as .ORG.UK and .ORG.AU,
which are not registered with or managed by PIR.