A registry is the organisation that operates a top-level domain extension and keeps the master database of its names.
A domain registry is the organisation in charge of a whole extension, such as .com, .org or .uk. It keeps the authoritative list of every name registered under that extension, who the registrar for each one is, and which nameservers each domain uses. It also runs the servers that tell the internet where to find those nameservers.
For example, Verisign is the registry for .com and .net, and Public Interest Registry (PIR) runs .org. Country-code extensions are often run by national bodies, such as Nominet for .uk.
How a domain registry works
The registry sits in the middle of the domain system:
- ICANN contracts with registries for generic extensions (gTLDs) and sets the rules they follow.
- The registry runs the database and DNS for its extension and sets the wholesale price.
- Registrars connect to the registry, usually through a system called EPP, to register, renew and transfer names for customers.
- You, the registrant, deal only with your registrar.
Country-code extensions (ccTLDs) follow their own national rules, though many work in a similar way.
Registry vs registrar
These two words are easy to confuse:
- The registry runs the extension and keeps the master list. Most don't sell directly to the public.
- The registrar is the retailer you buy from. It passes your registration to the registry.
Think of the registry as the wholesaler and the registrar as the shop.
Why the registry matters to domain owners
You rarely deal with a registry directly, but it affects you in several ways:
- Prices: the registry sets the wholesale cost, so registry price rises filter through to your renewal price.
- Premium domains: registries can mark desirable names as premium and charge more.
- Rules: some extensions have eligibility requirements, such as local presence for certain country codes.
- Expiry: the registry runs the redemption period and sets the restore fee.
- Security: registries offer features like registry lock and DNSSEC.
Common registry questions
You can usually find which registry runs an extension through the IANA root zone database. Domain status codes starting with "server", such as serverHold, are set by the registry, while those starting with "client" are set by the registrar. If a domain shows a registry status you don't recognise, your registrar is the right place to ask.