What is the recommended rate for accessing Nominet systems?
Each service has an acceptable use policy, which shows the maximum rate of access allowed for that service, and the penalties applied if that rate is exceeded.
Is there a test server that you can send registration and modify requests to?
No, but you can send test message to the Automaton. Test messages submitted to Nominet UK's Automated system should be sent as if to register the following domain name pattern:
automaton-test-[any characters].[sld].uk
For example:
key: automaton-test-1.co.uk
key: automaton-test-another.org.uk
key: automaton-test-for-developersnet-ca.net.uk
Domain names that are sent using this pattern will not appear on the register, instead you will receive a response that tells you whether the format of application / modification was correct.
How do I make a change to the registrant details on a domain name if an error is made?
We recognise that there will be occasions when a human or system error results in an incorrect or incomplete legal registrant name being provided. On these occasions we may update the information once we have received a PGP signed email that includes the text provided below. This text provides Nominet with an indemnity and the ability to reverse the changes if we later believe the request was incorrect. Please send your email to support@nominet.org.uk.
Please be aware that this procedure is only available for correcting errors between the time when a domain name has been registered and when the invoice that it appears on has been paid. You cannot use it to transfer the registration of a domain name to a third party. This mechanism must also not be used as a means of holding security over a domain name until payment has been received.
In all cases, except errors, a transfer of registration must be completed to transfer the domain name to the new registrant.
We reserve the right to reject a request to make a change to the registrant information if that change would be more appropriately handled via a transfer of registration.
Finally, please try to ensure that errors of this sort are kept to a minimum.
Please include the following details in your PGP signed email. Bracketed information should be modified to include the domain name involved and to reflect the circumstances of the error.
Text begins:
We applied to register the domain name <domain name> on <date> in the name of <current registrant>. However, this was an error because <explain what the mistake was and why> and in fact <explain who the registrant should have been>.
Please therefore amend the domain registration to reflect the above.
We confirm that:
(a) the explanation above is true;
(b) we will indemnify Nominet UK against any claims of any nature from any party arising out of the change requested above;
(c) this change is requested because of a genuine mistake and not as part of any system to hold the domain name as security or as a transfer;
(d) we act as the registrar for the registrant;
(e) the registrant accepts Nominet UK terms and conditions for the registration of domain names in full; and
We understand that this change may be reversed and/or not implemented if Nominet UK has reason to believe that any of these statements are false.
Text ends
Once the change has been made we will confirm this to you by email. If changes are required to fields other than the name of the legal registrant these changes can be made via the Automaton in the usual way.
How do renewals work?
See the section of our web site on the renewals process.
How long does Nominet's Registrant Services Department keep a pgp-signed email in its internal systems?
If you submit a pgp-signed email to the Registrants Services Department to confirm, for example that you are willing to pay an outstanding renewal fee, we will keep this email on our internal system for 3 months after which point it will expire. If a registrant gets in touch with us after your pgp-signed email has expired we will request a resend to ensure that your instruction is still valid.