Frequently Asked Questions


- What is an Internet Domain Name?
- What are the different types of UK Domain Names?
- Who issues Internet Domain Names?
- Who owns Internet Domain Names?
- What are Nominet UK's Registration Fees?
- How do you check on Domain Name Registrations?
- How does Nominet UK help with UK Domain Name disputes?
- How do you sell a Domain Name?
- How are UK Domain Names transferred to a new owner?
- What is VAT?

What is an Internet Domain Name?
Domain Names are unique names used on the Internet for email and websites. For example, a name registered as 'webserve.co.uk' can be used as 'info@webserve.co.uk' for email and also as 'www.webserve.co.uk' for a website.
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What are the different types of UK Domain Names?
The most common UK Domain Names are:
.co.uk   For Commercial Enterprises but also used by Individuals
.org.uk   For Non-Commercial Organisations
.net.uk   For Internet Service Providers (ISPs}
.ltd.uk   For UK Limited Companies
.plc.uk   For UK Public Limited Companies

Other more specialised UK Domain Names are:

.ac.uk   For Academic Establishments
.sch.uk   For UK Schools
.gov.uk   For UK Government Bodies
.nhs.uk   For National Health Service Organisations
.police.uk   For UK Police Forces
.mod.uk   For UK Ministry of Defence Establishments

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Who issues Internet Domain Names?
Each country has its own arrangements for issuing Domain Names. Nominet UK is the national registry for all Internet Domain Names ending in '.uk'. To register a Domain Name you should contact an Internet Service Provider (ISP). When you approach an ISP you will be asking them to act as your agent for your application to Nominet UK.
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Who owns Internet Domain Names?
The organisation or individual who registers a Domain Name will be the 'owner' for the registration period (initially two years). In the UK registration can be extended for a further two years on payment of a renewal fee. See Nominet UK's Terms and Conditions. If a name is not renewed then it becomes available again for another 'owner'.
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What are Nominet UK's Registration Fees?
Currently the Nominet UK registration fee for each Domain Name is UK£80 + VAT for the first two years. The renewal fee is UK£80 + VAT for each further two year period. However, ISPs which are members of Nominet UK receive a substantial discount which they usually pass on to their clients.
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How do you check on Domain Name Registrations?
Nominet UK offers a Who Is? service which shows who, if anyone, has registered a co.uk, .org.uk, .net.uk, .ltd.uk or .plc.uk Domain Name.
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How does Nominet UK help with UK Domain Name disputes?
In the event of a dispute over a UK Domain Name, Nominet UK will assist the parties by providing their Dispute Resolution Service.
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How do you sell a Domain Name?
Simply start by using our free appraisal service.


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How are UK Domain Names transferred to a new owner?
Owners of '.uk' Domain Names are issued with Registration Certificates by Nominet UK (although this may take quite a while). To transfer a UK Domain Name the 'old' owner completes the 'Transferor' part of the form on the reverse of the Certificate - then the 'new' owner completes the 'Transferee' part of the form and sends it to Nominet UK. Both the 'old' and 'new' owners will need to send Nominet UK a letter confirming the transfer.

If a Registration Certificate has not yet been issued, then the 'old' owner needs to ask Nominet UK to send them a special Transfer Form for the specific Domain Name.

"Nominet UK now charges a fee of £30 plus VAT for changing the registration details of a Domain Name. This can be paid by either the purchaser or the seller, but the rule for names advertised on this site is that this fee will be paid by the purchaser unless there is a specific agreement to the contrary.

The 'new' owner will need to use Nominet UK's Who Is? service to check on the transfer - but be warned that the changeover can take some time."

Nominet UK, Sandford Gate, Sandy Lane West, Oxford OX4 5LB
Tel: +44 (0)1865 332211   Fax: +44 (0)1865 332299
Email: nominet@nominet.org.uk
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What is VAT?
VAT is short for 'Value Added Tax'. Different European countries have different VAT rates. In the UK it is currently 17.5%.

VAT registered UK organisations must add 17.5% to all products or services for clients based within the UK. There MAY be a VAT charge for clients based in other European Union countries (depending on the national VAT registration limit) but there is no VAT charge for clients based outside the European Community.
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