Recover your domain name

1. Check the domain status: You can check on the status of your domain by using our whois tool.  It will tell you who it is registered too, and if it’s still valid, or expired.
2. Check the registrar: Our whois tool will also tell you who the registrar is, that is the people who you used to register the domain name.
3. Contact with your registrar: You should contact you domain registrar as to get access to your domain and the services contacted to it.

If the registrar is unable to help, depending on the type of domain and it’s status, there maybe other actions you can take.

1. Check the domain’s status: You can check our whois tool see if the domain has expired, check to see if it is still in the redemption period. This is a grace period during which you can still renew the domain for a fee. If the redemption period has ended, the domain may have been released for registration by someone else.
2. Contact the registrar: If the domain is still registered but you believe it should be yours, contact the registrar to enquire about the status of the domain and what steps you can take to recover it. Be prepared to provide proof of ownership or other identifying information.
3. File a dispute: If you believe the domain was taken from you unfairly, such as through trademark infringement or cybersquatting, you may be able to file a dispute through a third-party organisation such as the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
4. Seek legal action: If all else fails, you may need to pursue legal action to recover the domain name. This can be a lengthy and expensive process, so be sure to weigh the potential benefits against the costs before proceeding.
5. Contact Queensland Tech: Depending on the type of domain, and it’s status, there are sometimes other methods of recovering your domain name.

It depends on the status of domain involved; most domains can be recovered within a week.  But if someone else now owns the domain, then you will have to go via the Law Courts.

Most of the time there is zero to a very little cost in recovering your domain.  Some types of domains require you to pay for the re-registration cost.  If the domain is now owned by someone else, then you will likely have to negotiate with them a price, or take them to court.

Once a domain is registered, it’s almost impossible to force a change in ownership without an agreement with the current owner.  But most types of domains are subject to a usage agreement, and if the current owner is not meet the requirements to owner that domain then legally the domain has to be released.  For example, all Australian domains must be associated with an active ABN with a business name or trademark that is similar to the domain name in use.

Most domain types have ‘domain lock’ function which gives you a little more protection from your domain being transferred.  Queensland Tech normally enables domain locks by default, but give them a call to check on the status of your domain.

EPP – is the term often given regarding a domain name password/code, this gives you access to the domain and enable you to move it to other domain providers / registrars.  EPP actually stands for ‘Extensible Provisioning Protocol’ which is what defines the protocols around domain management and domain status.