Finding the owner of a domain can be useful for business inquiries, purchasing a domain, or legal purposes. Domain ownership information is stored in the WHOIS database, a publicly accessible directory of domain registrations. This guide will show you different methods to find out who owns a domain.

Method 1: Use a WHOIS Lookup Tool

WHOIS lookup tools provide domain registration details, including owner contact information (if not privacy-protected).

Steps to Perform a WHOIS Lookup:

  1. Visit a WHOIS lookup website such as:
    • Whois Lookup
    • ICANN WHOIS
    • DomainTools
  2. Enter the domain name.
  3. Review the WHOIS record, which includes:
    • Registrant name (if public)
    • Registrar information
    • Registration and expiration dates
    • Name servers

Limitations:

  • Many domains use privacy protection services to hide ownership details.
  • Some domain extensions (like .uk or .ca) restrict public WHOIS access.

Method 2: Check the Website’s Contact Page

Many domain owners list their contact details directly on their website.

Steps to Find Contact Information:

  1. Visit the domain’s website.
  2. Look for a Contact Us or About page.
  3. Check for an email address, phone number, or contact form.

Method 3: Check the Domain’s Registrar

If WHOIS privacy is enabled, you can still contact the domain’s registrar.

How to Find the Registrar:

  1. Perform a WHOIS lookup to find the registrar
  2. Visit the registrar’s website.
  3. Use their contact form to send an inquiry about purchasing or inquiring about the domain.

Method 4: Send an Email to the Domain’s Generic Address

Some domains have a catch-all email address that may reach the owner.

Steps:

  1. Try sending an email to common admin addresses like:
    • admin@domain.com
    • contact@domain.com
    • webmaster@domain.com
  2. If the owner checks these addresses, they may respond.

Conclusion

Finding a domain owner can be done through WHOIS lookups, contacting the website owner, or reaching out via domain registrars. If privacy protection is enabled, domain brokers or direct outreach may be necessary.