What is Whois and why is it valuable?

Whois is the public directory of who owns each domain name on the internet. When you register a domain, your name, business address, e-mail and phone number get published to the Whois database for anyone to look up. The system is administered globally by ICANN and locally for .za by ZADNA.

Why does Whois exist?

• Accountability. If a website is hosting malware or violating copyright, the wronged party (or law enforcement) can identify the responsible registrant.
• Technical contact. When something is wrong with a domain (DNS misconfigured, mail bouncing, expiry imminent), other administrators can reach the right person.
• Trade and trust. Buyers checking out a vendor can verify the business actually exists and matches the trading name.
• Domain transfers. The Whois e-mail address is what registrars use to authorise transfers - which is why it must always be current.

POPIA and Whois in South Africa

Since POPIA (the Protection of Personal Information Act) took effect, Whois data for natural persons (not registered businesses) is partially redacted in South Africa - personal e-mail and phone are obscured, the registrant's name and city remain public. For registered legal entities (Pty Ltds, trusts, NPOs), the full record stays public because that information is already in the public business registry.

How to look up a Whois record

Use any Whois lookup tool - the .ZACR website, ICANN's lookup, or our search at the top of the domain registration page. Enter a domain name and it shows the registrant, registrar, registration date, expiry date and nameservers.

Search a domain (Whois included)