What are common terms found in the .INFO WHOIS Database?

  • Domain Status: Normally operating domains have a status of "OK" or "Active." Other status values detail pending operations and restrictions regarding the domain.
  • OK: This is the nominal status value for a domain object at all times, whether or not the domain has pending operations or prohibitions.
  • New: This is the nominal status for a newly created domain object. The domain can be modified unless locked.
  • Active: The domain can be modified and appears in a zone file. This is the nominal status for a domain object once it has been published in a zone.
  • Locked: The domain cannot be transferred, renewed, or deleted. (Though the status value can be changed.) Hierarchical and associated objects cannot be added or removed from the domain object. Domain names involved in Sunrise and other disputes may be locked, subject to registry policies.
  • Hold: The domain will not be published in a zone for DNS resolution. Names without at least two nameservers may be placed on Hold status; in this case submit nameserver data through your registrar.
  • pendingTransfer: A transfer request has been received for the domain, and completion of the request is pending. The domain cannot be renewed, deleted, or updated while in this state.
  • pendingDelete: A delete request has been received from the registrar for the domain. The domain has been removed from the zone, but has not yet been purged from the registry database. The domain cannot be renewed, deleted, transferred, or updated while in this state.
  • clientHold: The domain will not be published in a zone for DNS resolution. This status is placed on the domain by the registrar.
  • clientLock: The domain cannot be transferred, renewed, deleted, or updated. This status is placed on the domain by the registrar. An update command may be used to change the status value. Hierarchical and associated objects cannot not be added or removed from the domain object.
  • ID: Each database record has a single field (its "ID") that uniquely identifies it. The ID is shown in parenthesis following the record's name.


    • For example: Doe, John (C100000-LRMS) The "C100000-LRMS" is the ID.

    There is an ID associated with each "object" in the registry. An object can be a domain, host, or contact. For example, you can use the ID modifier (see above) to search for contact and registrar IDs. An individual will have multiple domain IDs if they own different domain names. They may have one or more contact IDs depending on how the registrar system creates this information in the registry.

  • Name: Most records will have a name field. Those that do not have a name field will display "[No name]" in their record output.


    • For individuals, the name is in last-first order. For example:

    Doe, John

    Doe, John T.


    Other records typically have name fields like:

    University of Pennsylvania

    John and & Jane Doe Co.

  • Sponsoring Registrar: The registrar that currently administrates the name on behalf of the registrant. If the domain name was registered by a reseller, the reseller's name will not appear in the Sponsoring Registrar field. Instead, you will see the reseller's registrar.
  • Trademark Information: Owners of registered trademarks and service marks have been allowed to register their corresponding domain names as a way of protecting their intellectual property. In such cases, the domain record will note the mark name, the date the registered mark was registered, in which country, and the registration number.