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DOMAIN GLOSSARYUPDATED 2026-05-06

Registry

A registry is the organisation that operates a top-level domain. Verisign operates .com and .net. Identity Digital operates many gTLDs. Public Interest Registry operates .org. Each ccTLD is operated by a national registry (DENIC for .de, Nominet for .uk, AFNIC for .fr). Registries set policies, run the technical infrastructure, and wholesale to registrars.

In depth

The registry holds the canonical database of all registrations within a TLD. Every domain registration is ultimately a record in the registry's zone file — when the registry adds a domain to the zone, it becomes resolvable in DNS.

Registries do not typically sell directly to end-users. Instead they wholesale to registrars (the vendor-facing companies — GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.) who handle customer relationships. The registrar pays the registry the wholesale fee; the registrar charges the end-user retail.

Registry policies determine the lifecycle rules — how long redemption lasts, whether there is a pendingDelete phase, what statuses are supported. ccTLD registries set their own policies; gTLD registries operate under ICANN-mandated baselines but can add registry-specific rules above that.

Because the registry holds the canonical record, registry-applied EPP statuses (server*) are more authoritative and harder to remove than registrar-applied statuses (client*).

Examples

  • Verisign operates .com (~158M registrations) and .net (~13M).
  • Identity Digital operates a portfolio of TLDs including .info, .biz, .pro, and many new gTLDs.
  • Public Interest Registry operates .org (~10M registrations) as a nonprofit.
  • DENIC operates .de (~17M registrations) as a German cooperative.

Frequently asked questions

How is a registry different from a registrar?

The registry operates the TLD itself. The registrar sells to end-users. They have a wholesale-retail relationship: registry → registrar → registrant.

Can I register a domain directly with the registry?

Generally no for gTLDs — they wholesale only to accredited registrars. Some ccTLDs sell directly (e.g. Norid for .no historically), but most operate through registrars too.

Who regulates registries?

For gTLDs, ICANN, under the Registry Agreement contract. For ccTLDs, the national government and any relevant policy body.

Why do some TLDs have multiple registries?

They do not. Each TLD has exactly one registry. Multiple companies may compete to operate a TLD when contracts come up for renewal, but only one operates at a time.

How do I find the registry for a TLD?

IANA maintains the canonical list at iana.org/domains/root/db. Each TLD entry lists the operating registry.

Related terms

References

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