# What is Nominet?

> Nominet is the organisation that runs the official register of .uk domain names, including .co.uk, .org.uk and .uk addresses.

- Source: https://nerdsharks.com/glossary/nominet
- Publisher: Nerdsharks (Exeter, Devon, UK)
- Updated: 2026-09-26

Also called: .uk registry, UK domain registry.

Every domain ending has an organisation responsible for its master list, called a registry. For .uk domains, that is Nominet, based in Oxford.

You normally do not buy from Nominet directly; you buy through a registrar, which records your details with Nominet. Nominet also runs a dispute resolution service for arguments over who has the right to a .uk name.

You can check who holds a .uk domain using Nominet's WHOIS lookup, though personal details are usually hidden for privacy.

## Why it matters for a small business

If there is ever a question about who legally holds your .uk domain, Nominet's records are the answer. Making sure you are the named registrant, not your web designer, protects your business if a relationship ends badly.

**Example:** A builder is unsure who holds her .co.uk domain. A WHOIS lookup shows the registrar, and she contacts them to confirm she is the registrant and update her details.