Moving a .uk domain: IPS tags explained

Nominet, the registry for .uk, .co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk and the other second-level endings, does not use the auth-code transfer process that .com and most other registries use. Instead every registrar has an IPS tag, a short uppercase label such as GRID or 1AND1, and a domain is "with" whichever registrar's tag is on it.

The transfer is a tag change

To move a .uk domain you ask the current registrar to change the tag to the new registrar's tag. There is no code to type in at the new registrar and nothing for the new registrar to "accept" beyond having the tag. Once the tag changes, the domain appears in the new registrar's control panel, usually within minutes.

Practical consequences:

• The losing registrar controls the process. Most have a self-service "change IPS tag" option; some charge a fee, which Nominet's rules allow only if it was disclosed at the point of sale.
• The new registrar needs to know the domain is coming so it can attach it to your account. Ask them for their tag and tell them the domain name.
• A tag change does not change the nameservers. DNS keeps working exactly as before until you change it yourself.

Reading the tag on a record

The Registry facet shows the tag under the registrar name. The tag is registry data: it tells you which registrar holds the domain, not who owns it or who hosts the website.

Expiry and renewals

.uk domains renew on a two-year cycle by default (one to ten years is allowed). After expiry there is a 30-day grace period during which the domain still resolves and can be renewed; after that it is suspended and, after a further 60 days or so, deleted and available to anyone. The Registry facet shows the expiry date and a Domain Timeline entry appears whenever it changes.

If you cannot reach the current registrar

Nominet offers a paid registrar-change service for domains whose registrar has stopped responding. You will need to prove you are the registrant, so keep the registrant email address current.