Becoming a Tag Holder

Tag Holder Instructions

- Registering a PGP Key

- Using the Automaton

- New Automaton Template

- Automaton Template Guidelines

- FAQ

- Error Messages

- Changing Registrant Details

- Renewals

- Billing

- List of Tag Holders

Expanded WHOIS

Terms and Conditions Project

Pre-Nominet Domain Name FAQ for Tag Holders

New Tag Change Policy

Proposed Tag Holder Agreement

Using Nominet's Automaton, you can request the registration of new Domain Names and make changes to existing Registrations.

1. Registering a new Domain Name
    
2. Modifying an existing Registration
    
3. Changing the Tag on a Domain Name
    
4. Querying the status of a Domain Name
    
5. Cancelling a Registration
    
6. De-Tagging a Domain Name
    
7. Obtaining a List of Registrations Bearing Your Tag
    
8. Automaton Field Definitions

Registering a New Domain Name

You may register Domain Names in any of the following Second Level Domains (SLDs):

• .co.uk
• .me.uk
• .org.uk
• .net.uk
• .ltd.uk
• .plc.uk
• .sch.uk

Submit a request for one or more Domain Name Registrations by sending an e-mail message signed with your registered PGP key to applications@nic.uk, with the subject line:

Tag (your Tag name in upper case characters) Domain Request

Each request should be separated by a blank line and uses a series of field and field value combinations - click here to view the request template and here for a list of field definitions used by the Automaton.

How your request is processed

The document will be carefully checked for errors and anomalies; if any are detected, you will receive an e-mail message and processing of your request will be abandoned. Click here to see an example of an application for two Domain Names in the .co.uk and .org.uk SLDs.

1. Is the document PGP signed? Possible errors include: using a PGP key that has not been registered and the contents of the document not matching the originally signed template.
    
2. Is the subject line in the correct form?
    
3. The document is then divided into separate requests, each of which is processed in turn.
    
4. Are there are syntax errors? These include unknown fields being specified, missing fields and requests for Domain Names not available via the Automaton.
    
5. Does the Domain Name already exist?
    
6. Has the Domain Name been previously applied for but not yet delegated? In this case the Domain Name is referred for manual approval and you will receive an e-mail message to this effect.
    
7. Which SLD does the request apply to? All .co.uk and .org.uk registrations will be automatically delegated and you will receive an e-mail message confirming this. Registrations in .net.uk, .ltd,uk and .plc.uk will be referred for manual processing because other checks need to be made in accordance with the Nominet's rules - the PGP team will forward an e-mail message indicating that this has occurred.

Any remaining requests that do not conform to the application guidelines are also referred for manual processing.

The Request Template

-------- start of template --------
key:
for:
nserver:
nserver:
reg-contact:
reg-trad-name:
reg-type:
reg-opt-out:
reg-co-no:
reg-addr:
reg-addr:
reg-addr:
reg-addr:
reg-city:
reg-county:
reg-country:
reg-postcode:
reg-phone:
reg-fax:
reg-email:
admin-c:
phone:
fax-no:
e-mail:
address:
address:
address:
address:
address:
tech-c:
phone:
fax-no:
e-mail:
address:
address:
address:
address:
address:
billing-c:
phone:
fax-no:
e-mail:
address:
address:
address:
address:
address:
first-bill:
recur-bill:
notes:
--------- end of template ---------

Modifying an existing Registration

You may need to make changes to an existing Domain Name registration - for example, the Registrant changes address or the administration contact changes. But please note that you cannot modify the name of the Registrant - you must follow separate procedures for transferring a Domain Name.

You can make changes to Domain Name Registrations in any of the following Second Level Domains (SLDs) by sending a formatted e-mail message to the appropriate address, with the subject line Modify:

• .co.uk auto-co@nic.uk
• .me.uk auto-me@nic.uk
• .org.uk auto-org@nic.uk
• .net.uk auto-net@nic.uk
• .ltd.uk auto-ltd@nic.uk
• .plc.uk auto-plc@nic.uk
• .sch.uk auto-sch@nic.uk

Each modification request should be separated by a blank line and uses a series of field and field value combinations.

Modification Request Template

The modification consists of one or more requests with each request separated by a blank line. Each request consists of a series of field and field value combinations. The available fields are listed in the template below (select the field name for a description of the field);

-------- start of template --------
key:
nserver:
nserver:
reg-contact:
reg-trad-name:
reg-type:
reg-opt-out:
reg-co-no:
reg-addr:
reg-addr:
reg-addr:
reg-addr:
reg-city:
reg-county:
reg-country:
reg-postcode:
reg-phone:
reg-fax:
reg-email:
admin-c:
phone:
fax-no:
e-mail:
address:
address:
address:
address:
address:
tech-c:
phone:
fax-no:
e-mail:
address:
address:
address:
address:
address:
billing-c:
phone:
fax-no:
e-mail:
address:
address:
address:
address:
address:
first-bill:
recur-bill:
notes:
--------- end of template ---------

Once the template has been completed for each required domain it should be signed by your registered PGP key and emailed to the appropriate address with a subject line of Modify.

Example 1

This example shows how to modify the nameservers associated with domains;

To: auto-co@nic.uk
Subject: Modify

key: new-domain.co.uk
nserver: ns0.new-domain.co.uk. 196.32.1.45
nserver: ns0.some-domain.net

key: small-fun.co.uk
nserver: ns0.small-fun.org.uk
nserver: ns1.small-fun.org.uk

Note that both of the above Domain Names lie within co.uk Second Level Domain. If they had lain in different Second Level Domains of .uk Top Level Domain then separate mail messages would have to be sent for each.

Example 2

This example shows how to modify the contact details associated with Domain Names;

To: auto-co@nic.uk
Subject: Modify

key: new-domain.co.uk
admin-c: Ms T.E.Cher
address: 373 Simple Street
address: West Village
address: Rutland
address: United Kingdom
address: WV83 9TG

key: small-fun.co.uk
billing-c: Accounts Department
phone: +44 09837 838 3772
e-mail: accounts@some-domain.net

For the first Domain Name the admin address is changed, for the second Domain Name the billing phone number and e-mail address is changed. The important point to note is that in order to change any of the details associated with a contact you must supply the contact name.

Changing the Tag on a Domain Name

This is the procedure for releasing control of a Domain Name to another Nominet Tag holder.

Send a formatted e-mail message to the appropriate address, signed by your registered PGP key and with the subject line Release:

• .co.uk auto-co@nic.uk
• .me.uk auto-me@nic.uk
• .org.uk auto-org@nic.uk
• .net.uk auto-net@nic.uk
• .ltd.uk auto-ltd@nic.uk
• .plc.uk auto-plc@nic.uk
• .sch.uk auto-sch@nic.uk

The Tag Release Template

The release consists of one or more requests with each request separated by a blank line. Each request consists of a series of field and field value combinations. The available fields are listed in the template below (select the field name for a description of the field);

-------- start of template --------
key:
ips-key:
--------- end of template ---------

Once the template has been completed for each required domain it should be signed by your registered PGP key and emailed to the appropriate address with a subject line of Release.

Example

This example shows how to release the control of domains to other Tags;

To: auto-co@nic.uk
Subject: Release

key: new-domain.co.uk
ips-key: ANYNET

key: small-fun.co.uk
ips-key: ANOTHERNET

Note that both of the above domains names are in the .co.uk Second Level Domain. Were they in different sub-domains of the .uk Top Level Domain then a separate mail message would have to be sent for each. In the exaple above Control of the first domain is released to ANYNET and control of the second domains is released to ANOTHERNET

Querying the status of a Domain Name

If you want to check the details held by Nominet on a Domain Name registration, you can send a query to the Automaton, which will reply with all the information currently stored.

Send a formatted e-mail message to the appropriate address, signed by your registered PGP key and with the subject line Query

• .co.uk auto-co@nic.uk
• .me.uk auto-me@nic.uk
• .org.uk auto-org@nic.uk
• .net.uk auto-net@nic.uk
• .ltd.uk auto-ltd@nic.uk
• .plc.uk auto-plc@nic.uk
• .sch.uk auto-sch@nic.uk

Each request should be separated by a blank line and consists of a single field and field value combination denoting the Domain Name being queried:

-------- start of template --------
key:
--------- end of template ---------

Once the template has been completed for each required Domain Name it should be signed by your registered PGP key and emailed to the appropriate address with a subject line of Query. The PGP key is required as all of the information stored about a Domain Name is returned in the reply to the query request. This may include sensitive information such as billing details.

This example shows how to query a number of Domain Names;

To: auto-co@nic.uk
Subject: Query

key: new-domain.co.uk

key: small-fun.co.uk

Note that both of the above Domain Names lie within the .co.uk Second Level Domain. If they had lain in different Second Level Domains of .uk Top Level Domain then a separate mail message would have had to be sent for each. The details of each Domain Name will be sent back in a separate mail message

Cancelling a Registration

All cancellation requests must be sent directly to the Automaton using a PGP signed e-mail message, similar to the domain name modification procedure.

Tag Holders should submit cancellation requests to the e-mail addresses listed below:

How to submit a cancellation request

You should submit a cancellation by sending a formatted e-mail message to the appropriate address, signed by your registered PGP key and with the subject line Delete. Each request must be separated by a blank line, as shown in the example below.

To: auto-co@nic.uk
Subject: Delete

key: wrong-domain.co.uk

key: another.co.uk

In this example, both the domain names lie within the .co.uk Second Level Domain. To delete domain names within different Second Level Domains send a separate e-mail message to the corresponding e-mail addresses (as listed above).

Confirmation of cancellation request

The Automaton response will vary according to the amount of time that has lapsed between the registration of the domain name and the request to cancel it.

If we receive the cancellation request in the same month as the domain name was registered and it's a valid request, the domain name will be cancelled immediately and will not appear on your next invoice.

The details of each domain name that has been cancelled will be sent back in a separate e-mail message that reads:

"This message confirms that the domain name wrong-domain.co.uk has been cancelled by Nominet UK."

This is an automatically generated message and you do not need to respond unless you have a query.

If however, the cancellation request is more than one month after the domain name was registered, the domain name will not be removed from the register automatically as an invoice will have been issued for the registration fee. In this situation Nominet must first establish whether payment has been made for the registration. If the request is valid and payment has not been made, the domain name will be cancelled within 20 working days of the date of the request.

When is a cancellation permitted?

1. Only the Tag Holder that submitted the original application can cancel a Domain Name (Domain Names that have been retagged cannot be cancelled)
    
2. Domain Names that have been paid for cannot be cancelled. Once paid, a request for surrender can only come from the Domain Name Registrant, no refund will be given
    
3. The e-mail request must be sent to the correct address (as specified above) and must contain a valid PGP signature
    

Please note domain names that are due for renewal cannot be cancelled by the Tag Holder.

For details on how to remove domain names that you do not wish to renew from your Tag please see: De-Tagging a domain name.

De-Tagging a Domain Name

From time to time, you may request that your Tag be removed from a Domain Name registration. Typically this will occur in advance of Domain Name renewals when you have been unable to ascertain from the Registrant whether he wishes to renew the registration.

In these circumstances you may de-tag the Domain Name to avoid receiving an invoice for a renewal fee which you cannot subsequently re-invoice to your customer. Nominet will take over the task of contacting the Registrant to check whether the Domain Name is to be renewed or cancelled.

To de-tag a Domain Name Registration, send an e-mail message signed with your PGP key to the appropriate address with the subject line Release:

• .co.uk auto-co@nic.uk
• .me.uk auto-me@nic.uk
• .org.uk auto-org@nic.uk
• .net.uk auto-net@nic.uk
• .ltd.uk auto-ltd@nic.uk
• .plc.uk auto-plc@nic.uk
• .sch.uk auto-sch@nic.uk

Each request should be separated by a blank line and contain the Tag DETAGGED in the ips-key field - click here to view an example request and to view the list of Automaton field definitions

When de-tagging a Domain Name, always enter the current name, address and contact details of the Registrant in either the admin or billing fields to assist Nominet in verifying the deletion of the Domain Name.

Example Request

To: auto-co@nic.uk
Subject: Release

key: wrong-domain.co.uk
ips-key: DETAGGED

Obtaining a List of Registrations Bearing Your Tag

You can obtain from the Automaton a list of all Domain Name Registrations bearing your Tag, provided that you also possess a PGP key for that Tag.

Send a formatted e-mail message to the appropriate address, signed by your registered PGP key and with the subject line List:

• .co.uk auto-co@nic.uk
• .me.uk auto-me@nic.uk
• .org.uk auto-org@nic.uk
• .net.uk auto-net@nic.uk
• .ltd.uk auto-ltd@nic.uk
• .plc.uk auto-plc@nic.uk
• .sch.uk auto-sch@nic.uk

Each request should be separated by a blank line and consists of a single field and field value combination denoting the Domain Name being queried. You may also specify the month of registration. 

The Automaton will return a list containing all matching Domain Name Registrations, regardless of which address the e-mail request is sent to. The list will contain the following information:

• Domain Name
• Tag
• Registration date
• Billing option for initial registration fee (Tag Holder or Registrant)
• Billing option for renewal registration fee (Tag Holder or Registrant)

Note that the data held is refreshed once a day at approximately 0200 GMT/BST, so any modifications will not appear in the return list until the following day.

List Request Format

The List request format uses the following template:

-------- start of template --------
month: CCYY-MM
--------- end of template ---------

where CCYY = year (e.g. 1996) and MM = month (e.g. 08).

When a request has been composed it should be signed by your registered PGP key and sent to one of the addresses above with a subject line of List

The Automaton will then send back a list in the following format:

<domain> | <tag> | <registration date> | <first-bill> | <recur-bill>

where the fields are:

Here is an example of a (very short) list in this format:

adomainexample.co.uk|NOMINET|19960818|th|th
andanother.co.uk|NOMINET|19960821|th|th
andyetanotherexample.co.uk|NOMINET|19960818|th|th

List Request Examples

To obtain a list of all Domain Name Registrations which were registered in August 1996 and which currently bear your Tag:

To: auto-co@nic.uk
Subject: List

month: 1996-08

To obtain a list of all Domain Name Registrations bearing your tag regardless of registration date:

To: auto-co@nic.uk
Subject: List

month: all

Automaton Field Definitions

The following are definitions of all the fields to be used when requesting a new Domain Name Registration. From March 1 2002, the Registrant 'for' field and the address fields will become mandatory requirements when making domain name applications. They will be mandatory for all applications made under the .me.uk Second Level Domain.

We encourage all Tag Holder to complete as many of the Registrant fields as possible, It is possible that more fields will become mandatory in the future.

Fields should be specified using the following form:

<field>:<value>

(note there should be no space between the end of the field name and the following colon) for example:

key:mydomain.co.uk

Note that any e-mail signatures or other extraneous text at the bottom of the message are likely to be interpreted as a request by the automaton and will generate error messages.

NOTE A:

The codes for the Registrant Type field are listed below:

Notes:

1. FCORP should be used for a foreign registered company or business, whereas FOTHER would be the correct Registrant type for a school or institution. Foreign Individuals would be expected to use the IND field.
    
2. Organisations in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man are classified as Foreign Organisations.