On this page
A registry operates the authoritative registration database for a TLD. A registrar provides registration services to registrants and interfaces with the registry. The registrant is the holder of the domain-name registration.
The three roles
The domain-registration chain is easier to understand when the actors are kept separate.
What the registry does
The registry operates the registration infrastructure for its TLD and maintains the authoritative registry data required for domain registrations under that TLD. It also operates or arranges the TLD's DNS infrastructure and registration-data services under the applicable framework.
What the registrar does
The registrar is the interface through which a registrant typically registers, renews, transfers and manages a domain. Multiple registrars can offer registrations under the same TLD when the registry's model permits it.
What a reference site should show
When a TLD page says “Registry,” it should name the registry operator or sponsoring organisation from an authoritative source. It should not casually label a retail registrar as the operator of the TLD.
A registry may use a separate technical provider. Technical infrastructure, registry operation and corporate ownership are not safe to infer from one another.
Primary sources
These are the primary references this guide is designed around. When implementation data disagrees with editorial copy, the primary source wins.