What Is a Domain Registrar
The Registrar's Role in Domain Registration
A domain registrar is a company that sells domain names to the public and manages their registration for the customer. When you register a name, you do it through a registrar, which records the registration with the registry that runs the extension, such as .com or .org.
The registrar sits between the customer and the registry. The registry keeps the authoritative database of names and generally does not sell to individuals. The registrar provides the storefront, the customer account, the billing and the tools for managing the name. It sends each instruction to the registry using a standard protocol, usually the Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP), so one account can manage names across many extensions.
The split between the two roles is explained in registrar vs registry.
What Registrars Typically Do for a Domain
After registration, the registrar handles the ongoing life of the name. Its main tasks include:
- Processing new registrations and renewals
- Holding the contact details and nameserver settings for the domain
- Handling transfers to another registrar
- Sending renewal reminders and managing the grace periods after expiry
- Offering DNS management, or pointing the domain to DNS hosted elsewhere
Many registrars also sell extras such as privacy protection, email hosting, SSL certificates or website builders. These are optional add-ons. The core service is the registration and its management, and the add-ons are separate decisions.
A Freelancer's Registrar Account in Practice
A freelance designer registers a name for her portfolio and points it to a hosting account run by another company. The domain stays with the registrar, while the website runs on the host. Each year she logs in to the registrar account to pay the renewal and to check that the contact email is still correct.
When she later decides to move the name to a different registrar, the process starts in the account at her current registrar. That registrar approves the move and prepares the domain, not the web host. Knowing which company does which job makes this kind of change much less confusing.
Why Accreditation Matters When Choosing a Registrar
Most generic extensions require the registrar to be accredited by ICANN, the organisation that coordinates the domain system. Accreditation means the company has signed an agreement setting standards for how it handles customer data, transfers, disputes and complaints. Accredited registrars must also follow ICANN's consensus policies, which apply to all of them.
Accreditation sets a baseline of rules and accountability. It does not measure quality of service, so an accredited registrar can still offer slow support or high renewal prices. Country-code extensions may follow different rules set by their local registry.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to use the same registrar as my web host?
No. A domain and a hosting account can be with different companies. Many people use one provider for both for convenience, but the domain can point to a host elsewhere by changing its nameservers or DNS settings. The registrar and the host do not need to match.
Is a registrar the same as a reseller?
Not exactly. A reseller sells domains through an arrangement with an accredited registrar, which is the company that holds the registration. The reseller usually provides the customer account and branding, while the registrar is the party behind it. The difference is explained in domain reseller vs registrar.
How can I check whether a registrar is accredited?
ICANN publishes a searchable directory of accredited registrars on its website, so you can check a company's name against that list. Accreditation applies to generic extensions. Country-code registries set their own rules, so the directory does not cover every domain.