Introduction

The Domain Availability Checker (DAC) is available to Nominet registrars who are also members.  The service enables you to make high volumes of queries about the availability of domain names. Once you have connected to the DAC you can send one or many domain name queries to the system.

The DAC is able to accept high volumes of queries because it reduces the amount of information it returns to the requester and it authenticates only once, at the point of connection. The DAC runs on a secondary copy of the register that is updated by an immediate replication process.  It will return information on .uk domain names operated by Nominet and not second level domains operated by other parties.

Eligibility
The Domain Availability Checker (DAC) is restricted to registrars (registration agents) who also have Nominet membership. This service is available on a subscription only basis.

Fees
The DAC service will be charged at £25 + VAT per year. This fee will be charged to your credit account.

How to apply
To apply for access to the DAC please use the online application form.

You will also be required to confirm that you accept the Terms and Conditions of the DAC contract.

Usage
Clause 5.2 of the contract sets out how you can use the DAC, and limits of use are set out in the contract (particularly clause 5.3) and in our Acceptable Use Policy (simply called the 'policy' in the contract).

The main scenarios where we would expect users to use the DAC are:

• Where a potential registrant has enquired whether a specific domain name is available for registration;
• If a domain name is not available for registration, querying a number of similar domains to determine if they are available so that they could be offered as alternatives to the potential registrant;
• For those seeking to determine whether domain names which have been in a suspended state have become available for registration.

However, any activity not prohibited by the contract terms is permitted.