In order to check what domain names are available to be registered you can use tznic’s free on-line search facility - called WHOIS - which enables an enquirer to find out whether a domain name is available and, if not, the organization or person to whom it is registered, and when that registration was made.
Please note:
• You must enter the full domain name - for instance, tznic.or.tz - not just tznic
• Do not put ‘www.’ in front of the name
Your registrar can also help check the availability of a domain name.
You can register a domain name direct with us or through a Registrar. We recommend that you register your domain name through a registrar. In addition to registering the domain name, registrars do also offer other services such as hosting your website and forwarding e-mails.
No. tzNIC allocates domain names on a strictly first-come, first-served basis.
The WHOIS is a mechanism that lets anyone view a register database entry. Enter your full domain name and the WHOIS will respond with information about your domain name.
The WHOIS is the free online search facility that you can use to find out whether a .tz domain name is available, and if not, details of who has registered it.
Some of the information that WHOIS can provide are:
* Registrant name
* Registrant address (if the opt-out has not been chosen)
* Registration Agent's name (Registrar)
* Registration Agent's web address (Registrar's Web address)
* Date of registration
* Last time registration was updated
* Date renewal is due
* Registration status of domain name
* Name server information
tzNIC has a contract with every domain name holder under the terms and conditions of domain name registration. Under this contract, tzNIC is entitled to publish some of the records it holds for its registrants. Some records such as e-mail adddress and Telephone and FAX number MAY not be published if the registrant opts so. Records such as registrant name, Physical address and Organization name MUST be published. Refer to Appendix 1 of The Rules for Domain name registration for details.
In the first instance, you should speak to your registrar. For example, if your published registrant address is incorrect your registrar will be able to amend these records on tzNIC's database.
The renewal date given on the WHOIS is the next date on which the domain name is due to be renewed (i.e. one year after the original registration or last renewal was made). A renewal fee must be paid before a domain name can be renewed. The renewal date will be updated once tzNIC has been paid for the domain name renewal. At this point, the listing will be changed to show the date on which the domain name is next due for renewal.
You can correct the registrant's name through a registrar who has access to tzNIC database.
If you wish to move your domain name from your current registrar to another, firstly you should contact your current registrar and ask them to move the name across to the new provider. If your registrar refuses to do this, or you are unable to contact them because they have ceased trading, you should contact tzNIC and ask to move the domain name for you.
To cancel a domain name prior to its natural expiry due to non renewal, you will need to notify your registrar for a cancellation request. Note that a cancelled domain name can be registered by anyone else on first come first serve basis and that there is no any refund for a domain cancelled before its registration expiry date.
Domain names scheduled for cancellation will be removed from the register on the day of cancellation at some point before midnight.
If you no longer require your domain name, you may wish to transfer it to another party. This can be done by sending a request to your registrar.
If you need to update the address details associated with your domain name registration, then you should do this through your registrar. It is the registrar's responsibility to then update your address details.
Your registrar is able and responsible for your domain name renewal.
A domain name can be renewed any time prior to the expiry date as long as the total duration paid for does not exceed 5 years.
In the first instance you could email us through
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stating the details of your domain name registration and ask us to check whether there is an outstanding debt.
All domain name registrations ending in .tz last for one year from the date of registration and you can check the date by using the WHOIS facility. Your registrar will normally contact you before the date your domain name registration expires to ask if you wish to renew it for another year. If for any reason they do not contact you, we will contact you once to check whether you would like to renew.
