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In short
WHOIS is a public lookup that shows the registration details of a domain: when it was registered and expires, which registrar manages it, its nameservers and status, and (where the rules allow) who owns it. Personal details are often hidden today for privacy.
What a WHOIS lookup shows
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Registrar | The company that manages the domain |
| Created / Expiry date | When it was registered and when it must be renewed |
| Status | e.g. clientTransferProhibited means the domain is locked |
| Nameservers | Where its DNS is hosted |
| Registrant | The owner (often hidden or limited for privacy) |
Why you’d look up a domain
- The name you want is taken: see when it expires, or whether it is just parked.
- Check your own domain: confirm it is in your company’s name and see the expiry date.
- Before a transfer: confirm the registrar and that the domain is unlocked.
- Spot scams: a “bank” site registered last week is a red flag.
Privacy
Data protection laws such as South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) mean registries and registrars now publish much less personal information. Company names may still show, but an individual’s phone number and home address usually do not. You can still reach a domain’s owner through the registrar’s contact form in most cases.
Keep your own details correct
The registrant contact is the legal owner of the domain. Make sure it is:
- Your company, not a former employee or web developer.
- An email you’ll keep: transfer approvals and renewal notices go there.
- Up to date: wrong details can lead to suspension, and make disputes harder to win.
Update the contacts in the client area under your domain’s Contact Information.
How to do a lookup
Search “WHOIS lookup” for a free tool, or use the registry’s own lookup for .co.za domains. To simply check whether a name is free, search it on domain registration.