.com

A .com domain is a generic top-level domain, and it is one of the oldest and most widely used extensions on the internet. The registry behind it is VeriSign Global Registry Services. Individuals, small businesses and large companies alike use it, and it is recognised across the globe as a trusted and credible address.

Registration is available in terms of one year, with renewals added one year at a time, and you can register terms of up to 10 years. Your domain can be secured with DNSSEC, which adds a layer of protection against DNS spoofing. Names can be between 2 and 63 characters long, and internationalised names in multiple languages and scripts are allowed. Domains are usually active within minutes of registration.

A .com domain suits you if you want a name that customers already expect and trust. Before you register, check that your contact details are accurate, because the registry requires them to be kept current. Also note that the registry does not hide your personal details from public records, so you may wish to add domain privacy.

Registration is open to anyone, and no restriction applies to location or type of business.

• Individuals and businesses from anywhere in the world can register a .com domain.
• Your contact details must be accurate.
• You must keep your contact details current throughout the registration.
• Domain privacy can keep your details out of public WHOIS records.

Your .com domain has a grace period and a redemption period after it expires, and each has its own rules.

• After expiry there is a 40-day grace period in which you can still renew the domain.
• If you do not renew within the grace period, a 30-day redemption period follows.
• Renewing during the redemption period costs extra.
• If the domain is not renewed, it is released after the redemption period ends.

You can move an existing .com domain to Domain Central from another provider, provided the domain meets the transfer conditions.

• You will need the authorisation (EPP) code from your current provider, and the domain must be unlocked.
• A domain cannot be transferred within 60 days of its registration or of a previous transfer.
• The losing provider has up to 5 days to respond, and the transfer completes automatically after that.
• A successful transfer to Domain Central adds one year to the registration term, and the transfer usually takes 5 to 7 days.

You can change the registrant of a .com domain through your registrar, and this does not affect the expiry date.

• The change is made through the registrar rather than directly with the registry.
• Changing the registrant does not alter the expiry date of the domain.
• The new registrant’s contact details must be accurate and kept current.

VeriSign Global Registry Services, 12061 Bluemont Way, Reston, VA 20190, United States of America (the)