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Individual vs. company domain registration

         

super70s

6:56 am on Aug 12, 2025 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member Top Contributors Of The Month



Many of you probably received a notice from your domain provider recently informing you that "due to a change in ICANN policy" by Aug. 21 you need to declare whether your organization (if you have it set up that way) or your individual name is the legal domain holder.

Currently I have my domain set up with an organization and "job title," but it isn't a true "company" -- it's just the first two words of my domain name. I guess I thought that was the way to do it when I first set it up long ago.

I did some research around the web and most advised keeping your domain name set up with your organization name -- but that seemed to be for those with a legitimate company ("LLC" and so forth).

So I was wondering if I should switch my domain to an individual ownership before Aug. 21, or does it matter one way or another?

Brett_Tabke

11:46 am on Aug 12, 2025 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Administrator 10+ Year Member Top Contributors Of The Month



I think the bottom line for me is that most registrars will trigger a verification process if you switch the registered name now. I'm not switching anything.

Ultimately, I think it means more will pay the 'private' proxy fee to hide behind proxy registrars.

super70s

7:20 am on Aug 13, 2025 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member Top Contributors Of The Month



I'm with NameCheap, don't they provide that "proxy" privacy for free or am I thinking about something else?

lucy24

8:15 pm on Aug 13, 2025 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member Top Contributors Of The Month



it isn't a true "company" -- it's just the first two words of my domain name
IANAL, but I would think that if you don’t have a legal existence, you can’t legally own anything.

tangor

11:47 pm on Aug 13, 2025 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member Top Contributors Of The Month



Domains are supposed to be backed by a street address (ie. a building and snail mail address). Perhaps this is a reminder to update your whois to reflect a real world location/person able to receive service (think lawyers), packages, or snail mail communications.