Query WHOIS information for a domain name - Domain Names

Use a WHOIS lookup to find information about a domain name, including its registrar, status, and expiration date.

Lookup tool: WHOIS.

The Alibaba Cloud WHOIS tool supports lookups only for Top-Level Domains (TLDs) that can be registered with Alibaba Cloud

Understand WHOIS lookup results

Field	Description
Registrant E-mail	In compliance with the Temporary Specification for generic TLD (gTLD) Registration Data from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Alibaba Cloud does not display the registrant's personal information in public WHOIS lookup results. If the domain name is registered with Alibaba Cloud, you can contact the domain name owner by clicking the "To contact, please fill in the webform" link on the page. For cases involving domain name abuse (such as phishing or fraud), please contact the `Registrar Abuse Contact Email` shown in the detailed WHOIS information.
Sponsoring Registrar	The provider that offers registration services for the domain name. Sign in to this provider's console to manage the domain name.
Registration Date (UTC)	The date the domain name was registered.
Expiration Date (UTC)	The date the domain name will expire. To prevent service interruptions or loss of your domain name, renew it before this date.
Domain Status	A domain name can have multiple statuses simultaneously. For details, see Understand EPP status codes.
DNS Server	The servers responsible for the domain name's DNS resolution. These servers point the domain name to a web server. If your website is inaccessible, check if the name server addresses listed here are correct. To modify them, see Modify DNS servers.

View the raw WHOIS data by checking the "Detailed WHOIS information". For field descriptions, see the ICANN lookup FAQ.

Understand EPP status codes

Find your domain name's Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP) status code below to understand its meaning and learn about the recommended action.

Codes that start with client are set by the domain registrar. The registrar is the service provider, such as Alibaba Cloud, from which you directly purchase and manage your domain name.
Codes that start with server are set by the domain registry. The registry is the top-level organization that manages the TLD, such as the ICANN.

EPP status code	Meaning	Recommended action
`ok`	This is a normal status. The domain name is usable and has no security locks enabled. Note `ok` is the default healthy status for a domain name. This status is often hidden when any other status is active.	To prevent unauthorized transfers, go to the console and enable the transfer prohibition lock and update prohibition lock.
`addPeriod`	This grace period is provided after the initial registration of a domain name, which lasts for five days.	No action required. This status does not affect the normal use of the domain name and is automatically removed after five days.
`clientHold`	The registrar has suspended DNS resolution for the domain name, making it inaccessible.	Check if the domain name is in this status due to incomplete identity verification, prohibited content, or a domain name dispute. Contact your registrar to have this status removed.
`serverHold`	The registry has suspended DNS resolution for the domain name, making it inaccessible.	For `.cn` domains, this status is common after registration and before identity verification is complete. Complete the verification process within the domain name's validity period. The status is removed after your verification is approved.
`clientRenewProhibited`	The domain name cannot be renewed. This status is typically used during legal disputes or arbitration for the domain name.	A domain name in this state cannot be renewed. Contact your registrar to learn about the reason.
`serverRenewProhibited`
`clientTransferProhibited`	This status prevents the domain name from being transferred to another registrar.	This is a normal security status. To transfer the domain name to another registrar, first disable the transfer prohibition lock in the console.
`serverTransferProhibited`		A registry may set this status for a domain name within 60 days of its initial registration or a transfer to a new registrar. The status is automatically removed after 60 days. A registry may also set this status if the domain name is involved in an arbitration or legal case. The status will be removed once the case is resolved.
`clientUpdateProhibited`	The registrar or registry has prohibited updates. Information such as the registrant, contacts, and name servers cannot be modified. However, DNS records can still be added or changed.	This is a normal security status. To modify domain information, first disable the update prohibition lock in the console.
`serverUpdateProhibited`		If you need to modify domain name information, contact your registrar to learn about the lock reason and perform actinos accordingly.
`clientDeleteProhibited`	The registrar or registry has prohibited deletion of the domain name.	If you need to delete the domain name, contact your registrar.
`serverDeleteProhibited`
`inactive`	The domain name is not activated. This status usually occurs when valid name servers were not provided during registration.	Action required. Log on to the console and set the correct name server addresses for the domain name to enable DNS resolution for it.
`pendingVerification`	The registrant's identity has not been verified since registration.	You must submit identity verification materials for review within five days of registration. If you fail to do so, the domain name will be placed on `serverHold` and DNS resolution will be suspended.
`pendingTransfer`	The domain is being transferred to a new registrar.	Monitor the domain name status and wait for the transfer to complete. If you did not initiate a transfer, contact your original registrar immediately to check for a potential security risk.
`autoRenewPeriod`	The domain name has expired and entered a renewal grace period, which typically lasts for about 30 days.	Renew the domain name as soon as possible. If you do not renew it before the grace period ends, it will enter the redemption period, and you will have to pay a higher fee to redeem the domain name.
`redemptionPeriod`	Redemption period. The domain name has expired and is now in a high-cost redemption period set by the registry.	This is the final opportunity to retain your domain name. Contact your registrar immediately to redeem the domain name at a higher cost.
`pendingDelete`	For non-CNNIC domains (such as .com, .net, and .org): The domain name has passed the redemption period and is pending deletion. It cannot be restored in this state.	After the domain name is deleted, it will be released for public registration. You can then attempt to register it again.
	For CNNIC domains (such as .cn and .com.cn): The domain name is in the redemption period.	This is the final opportunity to retain your domain name. Contact your registrar immediately to redeem the domain name at a higher cost.

Next steps

After reviewing your domain's information, take these steps to ensure its security and proper operation:

Manage domain name security: Check if the domain name is in the clientDeleteProhibited and clientTransferProhibited statuses. If not, enable transfer prohibition lock and update prohibition lock in the console to prevent unauthorized access or transfers.
Manage domain renewal: Check the expiration date and renew the domain name before it expires.
Configure DNS resolution: If the domain name is not yet resolved to the IP address of your server, go to the console to add DNS records for your website to point the domain name to your web or email server.

FAQ

Q: Why can't I find my domain name's information?
A: The Alibaba Cloud WHOIS tool supports lookups only for TLDs that can be registered with Alibaba Cloud, as listed on the Domain Prices page. For other TLDs, use the ICANN registration data lookup tool or another WHOIS tool to perform the query.
Q: Why does the expiration date in the WHOIS lookup result differ from what I see elsewhere?
A: This is usually caused by time zone differences or data caching delays across different platforms. For the most accurate information, check the expiration date in your registrar's console.
Q: My domain name's status is clientTransferProhibited. Is this a problem?
A: No, it is not. This is a normal status that indicates your domain name is locked and protected from malicious transfer. We strongly recommend that you keep your domain name in this status. You only need to unlock your domain name when you want to transfer it to another provider.