Detagged domains.

By Clare Lawrence 29th September 2003
Clare is the CEO of Discount Domains Ltd a leading UK Domain name registration service.

What is a DETAGGED domain name? We get asked this question regularly.

Only UK domain names can be detagged. A domain title that has been DETAGGED is no longer hosted on valid title servers.

What happens if there are no longer valid nameservers showing against a domain title ?

If no valid title servers are showing this means that any services such electronic mail or a web page will no longer work.

Who can DETAG a domain title ?

Only a domain registration service or agent can DETAG a domain name. This happens if the relationship between domain name owner and agent expires, for example if the registration fee or renewal fee is not paid.

When are domain names detagged?

Domain names can be detagged at any point after registration. Detagging signifies the finish of the relationship between the registration agent and the registrant.

It is not necessarily an indication of whether a domain name is paid for or not.

How may I tell if a domain title is DETAGGED?

You will most definately notice that the e mail or web site associated with the domain title has stopped working.

You can check the status of any registration by doing a WHOIS look-up that will indicate that the domain title is DETAGGED.

How may DETAGGED domain title be retagged?

To restore a DETAGGED domain name, the registrant will absolutely need to pay a tag change fee of 15+VAT as of January 2004 to nominet via a registration service. Nominet charge a higher fee to deal direct with the owner.

Can I register a DETAGGED domain name?

A DETAGGED domain name is still registered to the original registrant, and it remains as such until it is either renewed by the current registrant, or it is cancelled. Once cancelled, it immediately becomes available for registration on a first-come, first-served basis.

How long does it take for a DETAGGED domain title to become available for registration?

Nominet contact the owner of each domain that is detagged and confirms if they wish to renew or allow each title to lapse.

If the domain is allowed to lapse then the domain name will be suspended after 21 days and then cancelled between 6-8 weeks after that.

For further understanding please visit Nominet http://www.nominet.org.uk