What is WHOIS?

WHOIS is a web based tool that is used to look up records in the .BIZ domain space. Each record within the WHOIS database has a "handle" (a unique identifier assigned to it), a name, a record type, and various other fields. WHOIS provides a means to search for domain names using any of these specific fields.

To use WHOIS for a domain search, type in the domain you would like information on. This domain must be a second-level domain (e.g., business.biz). Third-level domains (e.g., my.business.biz) Domains beginning with "www" are not contained within WHOIS. The default action for WHOIS is to only search for domain records, however you can do other types of searches by using specific keywords.

To search for a specific Registrar, you must enter the full name of the Registrar. For example, to search for "ABC Registrar", you would use the following text to perform your search:

ABC Registrar

To search for Registrar Names that begin with a certain letter (or letters), a dot "." is used as a wildcard and placed immediately after the letter (or letters) on which you would like to search. For example, to search for Registrar Names that begin with "XYZ", you would use the following text to perform your search:

XYZ.

Additionally, if the Registrar Name ends with an "Inc.", you must add an "f [space]" prefix to that Registrar Name. For example, to search for "XYZ Registrar, Inc.", you would use the following text to perform your search:

f  XYZ Registrar, Inc.

If the Registrar Name does not end with "Inc.", the "f [space]" prefix is not necessary. To search for a specific Registrar, you must enter the full name of the Registrar. Additionally, if the Registrar Name ends with an "Inc.", you must add an "f [space]" prefix to that Registrar Name. For example, to search for "XYZ Registrar, Inc.", you would use the following text to perform your search:

f  XYZ Registrar, Inc.

In order to search for a multilingual, first convert the IDN from your local language to the IDNA Punycode format. For example, to search for "résumé.biz", the equivalent Punycode form would be, "xn--rsum-bpad.biz". This form of the Domain should be entered into the WHOIS tool to obtain your results. If the WHOIS tool however supports IDN, you may also enter the IDN directly without prior conversion.

The NeuStar WHOIS tool will accept Biz IDNs directly.

The name servers will be listed in the search results.

ICANN requires that we provide full WHOIS information for each domain name we register.

You may retrieve up to 75 records when you search by Domain Name. You can conduct such a search by specifying the beginning of a word to be searched followed by a "."; For example, a domain name search of "neu." will result in up to 75 domain name records that begin with "neu".

All domains that are deleted are initially placed on PendingDelete status before being purged from the Registry database and made available for registration. The exception to this rule are domains that are deleted within the first five days of the initial registration. These domains will not be placed on PendingDelete and will be purged immediately. Otherwise, domains will remain on PendingDelete status for a period of 35 days before being purged, unless they are "redeemed" by the registrar. This period is known as the Redemption Grace Period (RGP). See below for more information on RGP and domain redemptions.

The Redemption Grace Period is the 35 days following the deletion of a domain. The purpose of RGP is to allow registrars and/or registrants to correct for inadvertent deletions. During the first 30 days of the Redemption Grace Period, registrars may request the Registry to redeem the deleted domain, and thus restore it to its original disposition prior to deletion. Redemptions may NOT be performed during the final five days of the RGP. The WHOIS record will indicate if the domain is eligible for redemption. Domain that are eligible are marked "PendingDelete (restorable)". Ineligible domains have the status "PendingDelete (scheduled for release)". All redemption requests must be submitted through your registrar.

Reports containing domains scheduled for release can be found here. You can also access the list by utilizing the link on the WHOIS search page.

In the .biz space, domain names do not auto-renew until 45 days after the expiration date. Upon expiration domains will retain their expiration date for 45 days unless the registrar deletes or explicitly renews the domain. Domains that are not deleted or renewed by the registrar will auto-renew at the end of the 45 day period. See your registrar for additional information.

You should contact your registrar to have your domain contact information updated. Registrars are required to maintain up to date contact information for all domain records.