Question about .co.uk domain registration

[nottslad]

Although I've been registering .com's for several years it's only the last couple of months I've registered some .co.uk's

Anyhow, I registered some (through godaddy) and I've had a couple of letters from nominet asking me to input some security code numbers on to their website, presumably this is to verify the whois. The mail has gone to my UK mailing address which my mate looks after for me so I havent actually seen the letters myself and he's not that savvy when it comes to webmaster stuff.

Anyone know what this is all about? I've never had any such requirement for any .com's.

Are .co.uk's limited to UK residents, I didnt think so?

What happens after two years when the domain is up for renewal? Will I get another letter and maybe not be able to renew if I miss it?

If I change my whois to an address outside the UK could I end up losing the domain?

[Head Boy]

.co.uk registrations are completely different from .coms.

As far as I know there are no residence requirements.

There is no registrar as such, Godaddy is what Nominet calls a "tag holder" which is really a registration reseller. The registry (Nominet) is also the registrar, and they have an online maintenance system for domains. The code he was asked to enter is to give you access to the Nominet online system. You don't need to use this, you can use Godaddy (or the tag holder for your names) to maintain the details for you.

.co.uk names can be registered and renewed in two year blocks. You can renew a domain name during the last 6 months of it's life, but not before.

[thomasbyers]

Great information I learned something here

[nottslad]

Thanks HB, so are there any advantages to registering with the Nominet online system? or any disadvantages if I dont? If I register the domains with the Nominet system am I then signing up to them as registrar and maybe get hit with fees later along the line?

I'm inclined to just leave them as is without registering to keep things simple.

[Head Boy]

I've never confirmed a domain with Nominet, so I'm not sure what they do. I guess I should try it one day. I use 123-reg for .co.uk names, and their site makes it pretty easy to maintain names (as long as you don't agree to buy any of the extras). I usually renew fairly early as well, but if I remember correctly, Nominet will send you a renewal notice which includes a fairly high charge - I ignore those as well.

[nottslad]

Thanks, I'll leave them as is then

[Toker]

Originally Posted by nottslad

Although I've been registering .com's for several years it's only the last couple of months I've registered some .co.uk's

Anyhow, I registered some (through godaddy) and I've had a couple of letters from nominet asking me to input some security code numbers on to their website, presumably this is to verify the whois. The mail has gone to my UK mailing address which my mate looks after for me so I havent actually seen the letters myself and he's not that savvy when it comes to webmaster stuff.

Anyone know what this is all about? I've never had any such requirement for any .com's.

Are .co.uk's limited to UK residents, I didnt think so?

What happens after two years when the domain is up for renewal? Will I get another letter and maybe not be able to renew if I miss it?

If I change my whois to an address outside the UK could I end up losing the domain?

I have one at GoDaddy and never went through any of that..
However Domains with that TLD do not support changes to the registrant's First Name, Last Name, or Organization.

I'll sell ya this one for $20.00 and it's good till March of 2008
PREMIUMWINESHOP.CO.UK