Updating WHOIS Information

WHOIS is a widely used directory that houses all domain names and their information, including domain registration and expiration dates, domain owners (registrants), and name servers. The WHOIS records may also publicly show the registrant's technical and administrative contact details unless you make it private by using Domain Privacy.

You must keep your WHOIS contact information up-to-date so you'll receive notifications about your domain name (such as reminders on when it expires), as well as register yourself as the domain's owner in case of a dispute.

Want to know more about WHOIS? Please check out the following articles.

• WHOIS Information & Domain Privacy - This is an overview of WHOIS and Domain Privacy.
• Why Update Your WHOIS Information - This article discusses the importance of keeping your WHOIS or domain contact information valid and up to date.

Here are the topics we will discuss in this article:

• How to update the WHOIS information ⤵
• Domain Privacy to protect your domain's contact information ⤵ 

How to update the WHOIS information

HostGator allows you to manage your domains within your Account Manager, including your WHOIS or domain contact information. Most Enom and Launchpad domains can be managed from this single control panel.

What to expect when updating WHOIS information

If you wish to update your WHOIS information, here are a few things that will happen in accordance with the ICANN regulations.

• Confirmation email - This is sent to the current WHOIS email address. If you change your email address, both the old and new email addresses will receive confirmation emails. Failure to complete both confirmation emails will result in the domain becoming suspended.
   
• A 60-day transfer lock - The transfer lock or Change of Registrar (COR) lock, enforced by ICANN, will be applied to your domain if the email address, name, or organization name is changed. This will prevent the domain from being hijacked and other potential hazards, such as being transferred away to another registrar. Please note that HostGator can't bypass or expedite this lock, nor can it be disabled in the Customer Portal. For more information, please visit the The Different Types of Domain Locks Explained article.

To change your domain contact information (WHOIS):

1. Log in to your HostGator Customer Portal.
2. Click Domains from the left-hand side menu.

   

3. Locate your domain from the list.
   • If you have a single domain in your account, you will be redirected right away to the Domain Overview page.
      
   • If you have multiple domains in your account, you can do the following:

     In Advanced view:

     1. Click the domain or click the domain's vertical ellipsis icon on the far right, under the Actions column.

        

     2. Select Manage.

     In Summary view:

     Locate the domain and click its Settings button.

     

4. On the domain management page, scroll down to the Domain Contacts section and click EDIT.
   Select the User Type to manage (Owner, Administrator, or Technical).

   

5. There will be an Edit Contact Info pop-up. Change the information you want to update.

   

6. You will be asked to verify updates with a series of pop-up windows.
   • Domain email contact change: 
     1. Click Continue after changing the email address.
     2. There will be a Verify Your Email pop-up. Enter the verification code you received on the email in the pop-up, and click VERIFY.

        

        

     3. The Edit Contact Info window will pop up. Click the tickbox, then click AGREE.

        

     4. You'll be redirected to the Account Information page.
        Please note that to complete the domain email contact change, an email will be sent to both the old and new email addresses. For it to be successful, both parties must approve this change within 7 days.

        

   • Name or Organizational Name change:
     1. Click Continue after changing the name.
     2. Click the tickbox on the Edit Contact Info pop-up, then click AGREE.

        

     3. You will be redirected back to the Domain Details page with the "Update Complete" message.
   • Address, Phone, or Fax number change: 
     1. Click Continue after changing the address, phone, or fax number.
     2. You will be redirected back to the Domain Details page with the "Update Complete" message.

Domain Privacy to protect your domain's contact information

Domain Privacy allows you to keep your domain's personal and business contact information, such as your name, email, address, and phone number, hidden from the public while still listed as the domain owner.

Do you want to keep your domain contact information private? We're here to help you with the process! Please check out the following article to learn how to enable Domain Privacy within your Customer Portal.

• How to Enable Domain Privacy