.UK Registry-Registrar Agreement

Version: 2026-03

1. Application of the .UK Registry-Registrar Agreement
   1.1. The .UK Registry-Registrar Agreement (.UK RRA) sets out the terms of Registrar’s access to Nominet’s Shared Registry System and administration of .UK Domains on behalf of Registrants.
   1.2. The following documents comprise the .UK RRA:
   1.2.1. the Nominet Registry-Registrar Base Agreement set out at Nominet Registry-Registrar Base Agreement (RRBA);
   1.2.2. the terms set out below (these Terms);
   1.2.3. the Registry Policies applicable to .UK Domains set out at Registry Policies (.UK Policies);
   1.2.4. the credit and payment terms set out at Credit and Payment Terms (.UK Credit and Payment Terms); and
   1.2.5. the Data Protection Agreement set out at Data Protection Agreement (DPA).
   1.3. Registrars are deemed to have accepted the terms and conditions of the .UK RRA by completing an application to become, or continuing to act as, a registrar in respect of .UK Domains.
   1.4. The .UK RRA comes into effect on the date Nominet notifies Registrar that it has approved its application to act as a .UK registrar.
   1.5. In the event of a conflict between a provision of these Terms and a provision of the RRBA, the provision of these Terms shall prevail.
2. Definitions and interpretation
   2.1. Capitalised terms used but not defined in these Terms have the meanings given to them in the RRBA.
   2.2. In these Terms the following terms have the meanings set out below:

2.3. References to “clause” or “clauses” are to clauses within these Terms.
2.4. References to “paragraph” or “paragraphs” are to paragraphs within the schedules.
2.5. References to “schedule” or “schedules” are to the schedules attached to these Terms.

3. Recognition and promises as to authority to act
   3.1. Subject to Registrar’s compliance with the terms of the .UK RRA, Nominet recognises Registrar as being a .UK Registrar and therefore able to act as an agent for Registrar’s Customers (which can include Registrar).
   3.2. Different provisions contained in these Terms apply depending on whether the Registrar’s Customer is Registrar or a third party.
   3.3. Nominet may require Registrar’s Customer to request Operations with Nominet only via Registrar, or to attempt to deal with Registrar first, or to receive notices via Registrar. However, Nominet may deal directly with Registrar’s Customer and prescribe situations in which Registrar has no or limited power to act for Registrar’s Customer.
   3.4. Nominet may, acting reasonably, require Registrar to send communications from Nominet to Registrar’s Customer on Nominet’s behalf, unless Registrar is legally prohibited from doing so.
   3.5. In relation to Registrar’s Customer, Nominet will recognise Registrar as having authority to act for that Registrant if:
   3.5.1. for an existing registration, the Registry records Registrar as being the sponsoring registrar; and
   3.5.2. the Operation Registrar is requesting is one that registrars are allowed to request for their Registrants, and we have not been told by Registrar or the Registrant that Registrar cannot act for them (and Nominet may set up procedures that set out how and when Nominet must be told).
   3.6. Registrar warrants that in respect of every Operation request Registrar makes:
   3.6.1. Registrar has the authority of the Registrant to make that request and (if applicable to a particular Operation) specific authority from the Registrant to fully commit them to all the terms of the .UK Registrant Terms and Conditions or obligations connected with that request;
   3.6.2. the request for the Operation is not prohibited by clause 4.1;
   3.6.3. Registrar pays the Fees for the Operation; and
   3.6.4. Registrar has paid all outstanding invoices from Nominet and otherwise complied with the obligations under the Credit and Payment Terms.
   3.7. Registrar shall indemnify Nominet against any and all losses, costs and expenses (whether direct or indirect) arising out of Registrar’s breach of any of the warranties in clause 3.6.
   3.8. Registrar must make Registrants aware of the .UK Registrant Terms and Conditions and the Registry Policies before the Registration Agreement is made and before renewal of a Domain.
   3.9. Registrar must make Registrants aware of the Registration Agreement before the Registration Agreement is made and before renewal. As a minimum, Registrar must highlight to Registrants the Key Terms of the Registration Agreement, though Registrar may choose to highlight other terms as well if it wishes. Registrar must give Registrar’s Customers reasonable notice of any substantive changes that relate to their Domain (including the Key Terms) in advance of those changes coming into effect unless such changes are required to be made due to a legal requirement.
   3.10. Registrar must comply with all the Registrar Requirements.
4. Submitting Operations
   4.1. Registrar must not request an Operation if any of the following apply, or Registrar has reason to believe that they apply:
   4.1.1. Registrar knows, or reasonably should know, that some or all of the information provided by or through Registrar to Nominet is false, deceptive, misleading, inaccurate or incomplete;
   4.1.2. some or all of the Registrant identity information does not meet the requirements of the Registry Policies;
   4.1.3. the Registrant Registrar identifies to Nominet in the Operation has not instructed or requested Registrar (directly or indirectly) to act on its behalf or does not exist;
   4.1.4. the System Instructions or Registry Policies prohibit making that Operation on behalf of the Registrant;
   4.1.5. Registrar no longer has authority to request Operations with Nominet on behalf of the Registrant;
   4.1.6. the Operation requested is one for which Nominet requires Registrants to enter into the .UK Registrant Terms and Conditions (for example, the registration or renewal of a Domain) and Registrar has not received positive confirmation that the Registrant is aware of, and accepts in full, the .UK Registrant Terms and Conditions that apply to the Operation at the date of the request for it;
   4.1.7. Registrar’s Accreditation or .UK RRA status (for example Special Status) does not entitle Registrar to submit such an Operation; or
   4.1.8. Registrar is aware that the Operation is criminal in nature or is likely to further criminal activity.
   4.2. Registrar must only create a Domain in the name of Registrar’s Customer unless Registrar or Registrar’s Reseller has Registrar’s Customer’s explicit prior consent to register it in a different name, such as Registrar’s name, Registrar’s organisation’s name or Registrar’s Reseller’s name.
5. Recording information, data protection and confidentiality
   5.1. Nominet processes Registration Data as described in Nominet’s Privacy Notice.
   5.2. Registrar must not do or omit to do anything that could cause Nominet to breach the Data Protection Legislation.
   5.3. Nominet and Registrar will both comply with their obligations in respect of their processing of Registration Data and other information as set out in the Data Protection Agreement.
   5.4. Nominet will hold records of Registrar’s and other Contacts’ identity and contact details in the Registry as Registration Data. It is Registrar’s duty to keep its current identity and contact details up to date in its Account at all times.
   5.5. Registrar must keep any Credentials Nominet has issued to Registrar confidential and safe. Nominet may assume that any action done or requested using Registrar’s Credentials or Account was done or requested by Registrar or by someone authorised to act for Registrar. Nominet has and may enforce procedures as part of the System Instructions for dealing with lost, revoked or compromised Credentials and/or Accounts.
6. Enforcement
   6.1. Nominet aims to operate the .UK Registry in a neutral and impartial way and has obligations under applicable law to protect the information in the Registry. Nominet may require that Registrar declares in advance of any investigation by Nominet into any breach of the .UK RRA or the Registry Policies any connections Registrar has with another registrar or other person that has entered a contract with Nominet.
   6.2. Registrar agrees that if Nominet has reason to believe, following an investigation by Nominet, that Registrar has gained an unfair advantage by an act or omission in making an Operation, Nominet may reverse that Operation and/or suspend, transfer or cancel any associated registration, provided Nominet acts reasonably when doing so.
   6.3. If Registrar does not comply with the .UK RRA or any other contract Nominet has with Registrar, Nominet may put the .UK RRA into a Special Status and notify Registrar in writing that it has done so. In doing so, and in deciding which form of Special Status to put the .UK RRA into, Nominet will act reasonably, proportionately and consider (in addition to any relevant fact):
   6.3.1. steps Registrar has taken to resolve the problem and stop it happening again;
   6.3.2. the urgency of the problem;
   6.3.3. the reason for taking the action and whether the Special Status is relevant to it;
   6.3.4. Registrar’s past conduct;
   6.3.5. the Registry Policies; and
   6.3.6. the Sanctions Schedule.
   6.4. Nominet may put the .UK RRA into Special Status or otherwise suspend performance of it or remove access to Registrar’s Account or any of Nominet’s systems or services if any action Registrar takes is, or in Nominet’s reasonable opinion is likely to, lead to criminal or civil liability for Nominet or any of Nominet’s officers or staff members.
7. Term and termination of the .UK RRA
   7.1. If Registrar is an individual and dies, Nominet may terminate the .UK RRA and shall not be required to give notice of termination.
   7.2. At Registrar’s reasonable request following termination of the .UK RRA, Nominet may agree to a short period during which Registrar may continue to access the Shared Registry System solely for the purposes of assisting Registrar’s Customers in transitioning their Domain registrations and Registrar Services to a new registrar.
8. General
   8.1. Registrar has the right to:
   8.1.1. use the .UK registrar logo, provided that the Intellectual Property Rights in any such logo shall remain Nominet’s property; and
   8.1.2. be identified as a .UK registrar on Nominet’s website at list of .UK registrars.
   8.2. Nominet shall consult with stakeholders about any changes it intends to make to these Terms, the RRBA and/or the .UK Policies, unless the changes:
   8.2.1 are necessary to comply with applicable law or correct any drafting errors; or
   8.2.2 do not have a material effect on Registrar’s obligations or liability under the RRA,
   in which case Nominet shall not be required to carry out such consultation. Nominet’s right to vary the RRA under clause 10.6 of the RRBA shall be subject to the consultation requirements of this Clause 8.2.

Schedule 1 – Registrar Requirements

1. Introduction
   1.1. This Schedule sets out the requirements for .UK registrars under the .UK RRA. Some requirements may differ depending on whether Registrar is providing Registrar Services to itself or third parties.
   1.2. The following requirements may be amended from time to time by Nominet and notified to Registrar.
   1.3. Registrar may have more than one Accreditation per legal entity where Nominet assesses there is a genuine need for it.
2. General requirements
   2.1. Regardless of whether Registrar is providing Registrar Services to itself or third parties, Registrar must:
   2.1.1. demonstrate appropriate levels of technical competence, as required by Nominet from time to time;
   2.1.2. comply, without undue delay, with all lawful requests of UK law enforcement agencies; and
   2.1.3. comply with all applicable laws (in particular, the Data Protection Legislation) applicable to Registrar’s activities, as well as distance selling regulations or equivalent including relevant cooling off periods.
   2.2. If Registrar is offering Registrar Services to third parties, Registrar must be able to demonstrate that through Registrar’s normal course of business it makes easily accessible to Registrar’s Customers, ideally via a public website, its:
   2.2.1. postal contact address;
   2.2.2. telephone number;
   2.2.3. means of electronic contact such as an email address or webform; and
   2.2.4. customer service commitments that detail expected response and resolution times.
   2.3. If Registrar is offering Registrar Services to third parties, Registrar must ensure Registrar’s Customers are aware of:
   2.3.1. Registrar’s charges for registration, renewal and maintenance on Domains;
   2.3.2. any ongoing charges Registrar applies;
   2.3.3. the Key Terms; and
   2.3.4. Registrar’s policy on renewal and expiry of Domains.
   2.4. If Registrar is offering Registrar Services to third parties, Registrar must acknowledge receipt of any communications or complaints from Registrar’s Customers within five (5) working days.
   2.5. Registrar must provide an email address that reaches a representative empowered to process and act on an actionable abuse complaint for abuse contact publication on RDDS on Registrar’s behalf.
   2.6. Registrar must be able to demonstrate or provide Nominet with the following:
   2.6.1. if Nominet reasonably requests it, information or documentation in order to verify Registrar’s financial position, which may include, if applicable, copies of statutory accounts;
   2.6.2. reports, on Nominet’s request and in a form specified by Nominet, that will provide metrics regarding Registrar’s performance under the .UK RRA, particularly (but without limitation) in relation to Registrar’s data quality validation processes, complaints handling, compliance with requests from UK law enforcement agencies and other topics as notified by Nominet.
   2.7. Nominet may undertake a credit check of anyone who operates or applies for an Accreditation and may repeat such a check at any point during the Term. Registrar must promptly provide Nominet with any reasonable information or documentation that Nominet may require from Registrar to undertake such credit check(s).
   2.8. Nominet may ask Registrar to provide Nominet with the contact details for two or more referees and may ask those referees to provide Nominet with written references, either when Registrar applies for a new Accreditation or requests increased credit.
   2.9. Nominet may specify certain types of automated communication that Nominet usually sends to Registrants, which may include, without limitation, certain renewal reminders. Registrar will be able to opt out of having those communications sent to Registrar’s Customers, provided that Registrar uses commercially reasonable methods to ensure that Registrar’s Customers are made aware of the steps they need to take to manage, transfer, renew or otherwise deal with their Domain registration(s). Registrar may do this by sending its own renewal reminders to Registrar’s Customers. Nominet may also specify certain communications that it will always send to Registrants, regardless of any opt out by Registrar.
   2.10. Registrar may, no earlier than 30 days after the expiry of a Domain, take steps to transfer the Domain into Registrar’s name, provided that Registrar has previously informed the Registrant that it intends to do this and obtained their explicit consent to it doing so. Such consent must be obtained no earlier than 30 days before the date on which the Domain is due to expire, and no later than 30 days after the date on which the Domain expired. Even if Registrar transfers a Domain in these circumstances, the original Registrant of the Domain must always retain the right to renew the Domain in question as set out in the Registry Policies. Registrar may not transfer a Domain into the name of a third party under this paragraph.
   2.11. Registrar may not transfer a Domain under paragraph 2.10 where it has formally notified Registrar’s Customer that it is no longer providing them with Registrar Services.
   2.12. Registrar must be a member of Nominet except where applicable under other Registry Polices.

Schedule 2 – Sanctions

1. Sanctions
   1.1. The .UK RRA entitles Nominet to put the .UK RRA into Special Status or to take certain steps including termination. These steps can be taken in a range of circumstances, including Registrar’s failure to adhere to the Registrar Requirements or breach of any provision of the Registry Policies or the .UK RRA.
   1.2. In order to assist Registrar’s understanding of what Nominet might do, Nominet has set out below certain sanctions that may be applied to certain actions. Nominet reserves the right to apply these measures at its discretion and will do this proportionately and transparently. Nominet will work with Registrar to try to avoid breaches from occurring, and in most circumstances will try to assist Registrar in resolving breaches before considering applying sanctions. Any actions taken by Registrar in such circumstances will be taken into account when determining which sanction(s) to apply, if any.
   1.3. Nominet may do any or all of the following, in relation to any or all Accreditations used by Registrar at the relevant time:
   1.3.1. degrade the responsiveness of any or all systems including the Shared Registry System;
   1.3.2. reduce Registrar’s look up thresholds or access to any or all systems including the Shared Registry System;
   1.3.3. remove access to any or all incentives, such as the ability to make changes to Registrant names, opt out of Registrant communications or to transfer expired Domains into Registrar’s own name;
   1.3.4. remove Registrar’s ability to register new Domains;
   1.3.5. suspend, cancel or transfer one or more Domains;
   1.3.6. reverse Operations carried out by Registrar;
   1.3.7. restrict Registrar’s ability to register deleted Domains within a period following cancellation;
   1.3.8. remove Registrar’s eligibility for accreditation rights and other promotional activity(ies);
   1.3.9. remove Registrar’s ability to make changes to the Registrant name during the expiry period;
   1.3.10. remove Registrar’s ability to use one or more Accreditations that Registrar has registered with Nominet;
   1.3.11. impose credit restrictions as per the Credit and Payment Terms; and/or
   1.3.12. make public any sanctions applied or measures applied to Registrar.
   1.4. If Registrar disagrees with one of the sanctions, Registrar can send a complaint to [email protected] within ten (10) working days of Nominet notifying Registrar of its decision.
   1.5. While a complaint made under paragraph 1.4 above is being considered, and for a reasonable period of time after notifying Registrar of Nominet’s decision (which period of time Nominet may in its absolute discretion decide) the person considering the complaint may order that Registrar and Nominet continue as if no sanction was applied. They may also impose particular restrictions on the Operations Registrar may request during this period.