Domain contact privacy

How to add WHOIS privacy to a domain

Where the registry and registrar support it, domain privacy replaces eligible public registration details with privacy-service information.

Public lookupEligible details protected
AvailabilityDepends on the domain
Important emailStill reaches the registrant

Privacy is not available for every domain extension

The Add-ons page only offers privacy when it is supported for that domain and registrar. Many country-code registries publish limited data by default or apply their own disclosure rules instead.

Add privacy to an eligible domain

  1. Open My Domains.
  2. Select Domain Tools beside the domain you want to protect.
  3. Open Add-ons from the domain menu.
  4. If ID Protection or domain privacy is available, review the price and select the purchase option.
  5. Complete checkout. The privacy status will update after the order has been processed.

What domain privacy protects

  • Eligible personal contact details are replaced in public registration lookups.
  • Messages sent through the privacy service can still be forwarded to the registrant.
  • Your real details remain recorded securely with UKC and the registrar.

Privacy does not make ownership anonymous to UKC, the registrar, the registry or parties entitled to information under applicable law. It also does not replace accurate registrant details.

Why the privacy add-on may be missing

Registry rules
The extension uses its own privacy or disclosure policy.
Registrar support
The current registrar does not offer a compatible privacy service.
Domain state
A pending transfer, verification issue or other restriction may prevent changes.
Already protected
Privacy may already be active or included for the domain.

Keep the registrant email current

Privacy does not remove ICANN or registry verification requirements. An unverified registrant email can still lead to a domain suspension, even when public WHOIS details are protected.

Privacy should be available but is not listed?

Send us the domain name and a screenshot of its Add-ons page. We can check the extension, registrar, domain state and current privacy status. Never send account or registrar passwords.

Ask the Domains team

Was this answer helpful?

« Back