As an accredited partner of Nominet UK, Search.Initiative Registrar operates in full compliance with the official policies governing all .UK domain registrations. This document explains the key terms and conditions that apply when registering, managing, or renewing a .UK domain through our platform. It is designed to help customers understand their rights and responsibilities while ensuring transparency and trust in every registration.

About Nominet and Our Role

Nominet UK is the official registry responsible for managing all domains ending in .uk, .co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk, and related second-level extensions. Search.Initiative Registrar acts as an official Nominet registrar, providing domain registration and management services in accordance with Nominet’s contractual framework. When you register a .UK domain with us, your agreement includes both Search.Initiative Registrar’s own terms and the official Nominet Terms and Conditions, which are legally binding.

Acceptance of Terms

By registering a .UK domain, you automatically accept:

• Nominet’s Terms and Conditions of Domain Name Registration.
• Search.Initiative Registrar’s Domain Registration Terms.
• Applicable laws of England and Wales.

Registrant Responsibilities

Each registrant (domain owner) must ensure that all contact details provided during registration are accurate, complete, and kept up to date. This includes:

• Full legal name or company name.
• Registered address.
• Valid email and telephone number.
  Nominet periodically verifies this information to prevent misuse or fraudulent registrations. Providing false data can result in suspension or cancellation of the domain.
  Registrants are also responsible for:
• Renewing domains before expiration.
• Ensuring that domain usage complies with UK law.
• Avoiding infringement of third-party intellectual property rights.

Duration, Renewal, and Expiry

Registration Period

.UK domains are generally registered for one or two years, depending on the customer’s choice.

Renewal Process

Customers will receive multiple renewal reminders via email — usually 30, 15, and 5 days before the domain’s expiry date. Domains can be renewed directly through the Search.Initiative Registrar dashboard or by contacting customer support.

Expiry Consequences

If a domain is not renewed on time:

• It enters a grace period where renewal is still possible.
• After this period, Nominet suspends the domain, removing it from the DNS system.
• If renewal does not occur, the domain will eventually be deleted and become available for public re-registration.
  Search.Initiative Registrar follows Nominet’s renewal and deletion timelines strictly to ensure fairness and registry compliance.

Transfers and Ownership Changes

Domains under the .UK registry can be transferred between registrars or between different owners.

Transfers Between Registrars

To transfer a .UK domain to another registrar:

• The registrant must request the change from the current registrar.
• The new registrar’s IPS tag must be provided.
• Transfers will only be processed if there are no outstanding payments or disputes.

Change of Ownership

To change domain ownership, both the old and new registrants must authorize the transfer. Nominet may charge a small administrative fee for this process. Once completed, new ownership details are reflected in the WHOIS database.

Domain Disputes and Complaints

All .UK domain disputes are handled through Nominet’s Dispute Resolution Service (DRS). The DRS provides a fair and independent process for resolving conflicts related to domain ownership, trademarks, or unfair registrations. Typical examples include:

• Cybersquatting (registering domains identical or similar to trademarks).
• Misleading domain names that cause confusion among consumers.
• Disputes over ownership after business or contract changes.
  Customers can file a complaint directly with Nominet or contact our support team for assistance in preparing the necessary documentation.

Suspension and Termination

Nominet and Search.Initiative Registrar both reserve the right to suspend or terminate a domain if:

• The registrant provides false or misleading contact information.
• The domain is used for illegal, harmful, or fraudulent purposes.
• There is a court order or regulatory request.
• The registrant violates the Nominet Terms and Conditions or the Acceptable Use Policy.
  Suspended domains are removed from the DNS system, meaning associated websites and emails will stop working until the issue is resolved.

Data Protection and WHOIS Privacy

Nominet follows UK Data Protection Law and GDPR when handling personal data. For most .UK domains, limited registrant information (such as name and organization) appears in the public WHOIS record. However, individuals (non-business registrants) may request to hide their contact details through Nominet’s privacy feature. Search.Initiative Registrar also offers WHOIS Privacy Services for enhanced protection, ensuring that sensitive data remains secure while keeping domains reachable for legitimate inquiries.

Payments, Fees, and Refunds

All fees for domain registration, renewal, or transfer must be paid in advance. Pricing for .UK domains is clearly listed on the Search.Initiative Registrar website. Refunds are generally not provided once registration has been completed, except in cases of technical failure or registry error. Nominet may adjust registry fees periodically, and such changes will be reflected in our pricing structure. Customers will always be notified before any significant fee updates take effect.

Limitation of Liability

Neither Search.Initiative Registrar nor Nominet shall be held liable for indirect or consequential losses, such as loss of profit, data, or reputation, resulting from:

• Technical issues beyond reasonable control.
• Delays or errors caused by third-party systems.
• Suspension or deletion of domains due to rule violations.
  Both parties operate on a best-effort basis to ensure continuous service but cannot guarantee uninterrupted access. Customers are encouraged to maintain backups and use secure login credentials.

Amendments to These Terms

Nominet and Search.Initiative Registrar may update these Terms and Conditions periodically to comply with new regulations or improve service quality.