WHOIS Record

A WHOIS record historically referred to information returned about a registered domain name, such as its registrar, status, and relevant registration dates. People still use “WHOIS lookup” as a familiar term, but the underlying domain registration information ecosystem has changed.

ICANN designated the Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP) as the definitive source for generic top-level domain registration information beginning January 28, 2025, replacing the sunsetted WHOIS service requirements. Domain lookup tools may still display familiar WHOIS-style fields, and some legacy services remain in particular circumstances. Public results may omit personal registrant details because of privacy and disclosure rules.

A business checking domain ownership should confirm the registrar, status, renewal arrangements, and account-control records rather than assume a public lookup identifies the beneficial owner. RDAP data can help investigate an unfamiliar domain or track technical registration details, but it is not proof that a website is trustworthy or legally operated by a named company.

This entry is about domain registration metadata, not DNS records, which tell resolvers where services such as a website or email are delivered.