: Providing fake info during domain registration - does it matter? As you are all most likely aware already all domain registrars ask for your personal information. Such personal information includes:

@Kimberly868

It might best to contact your registrar and see how they handle specific situations. Not all domain extensions provide domain privacy, check before registering domain extensions.

Also note that there have been changes over the years (since this question was first asked) to now. Best to keep following ICANN's Privacy and Proxy Services

Since I have several domain extensions that currently do not offer domain privacy, I contacted a few registrars I've used... and they each had their own way of handling such a situation. This essentially leaves the choice up to you (and depending on your country's laws and regulations, there may be ways that can help you with it--more on this below)

To put it briefly: Anonymizing information may be safeguarding your identity...but it puts your ownership at serious risk.

Need Proof

The most important part across all that I've contacted is being able to provide proof.

One registrar told me that the names in the Contact Record/WHOIS used for your domain(s) must be valid. You should be able to provide proof of information validity. If you have a company or organization under that "fictitious" name, it would be fine with proper documentation.

You should enter information that can be supported by documents and identification. Best practice is that the information should closely resemble what the Registrant (you) is known as to the Registrar.

The risk is...If you put placeholder information like 'Domain Holder' or 'Domain Admin' and it is also being used by someone else, the Registrar may receive an external 'Fake WHOIS' complaint (often from ICANN) which results in a requirement for updated information or some level of domain suspension.

Another Registrar mentioned that it "varies from one registry to another". For them, the registrant's name could be along the lines 'Domain Admin' as long as the Address, Email, Phone, etc. is valid. But despite what they may say, it's likely best to follow what ICANN has to say about accuracy.

But there is a way...

I've researched that there are few ways you can go about "anonymizing" your information. In the U.S., one can file a "Doing Business As" (DBA) to use a fictitious name. Additionally, you can also register an LLC which you can use. While they do cost money, they can serve as proof of information. And, as others said, in the U.S., you can also use a P.O. Box as an address.

While there are ways to figure out who you are despite all this, it's more work than just flat out putting it out there. Before diving right into these options, research them or talk with a lawyer.

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@Murray432

You should vote with your wallet, and only register in the zones where you are satisfied with the privacy policy in regards to the personally identifying information. As mentioned, Nominet UK doesn't require UK Individuals to provide the full monty via whois.

For example, it is against Russian law to disseminate your personal information via whois, that's why all .ru domain names now appear to be registered to a "Private Person".

As for providing fake information? Not only can it get your registration annulled in pretty much any zone, but, depending on the TLD, it may also mean that you might not be able to transfer your domain name between registrars or assign it to different legal entities, since the registrar may require proof that you're the rightful owner, and you wouldn't have any.

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@Goswami781

This is an old question, but nowadays when you register a .com you will receive a verification email and if you don't click through the link within 15 days, your domain will be suspended without any further notification.

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@Deb1703797

Though we can't suggest you to give false information on registration, you can still get away with it can done finishing registration. But the problem only arises when some body claims your domain and if you want claim your domain in the future if controversy arisies is difficult to prove your ownership of that domain. In major numbers of registrants they don't care about your genuine information they take what ever you enter.

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@Cugini213

"is not possible to provide false information when you are going to register your domain"
on which planet?
If you are registering a .co.uk it is possible to choose to opt out of the public dissemination of your your details for free. As others have said, for instances where you are a bona fide company it makes more sense to publicly acknowledge your ownership of a domain.
If you have valid reasons (and there are many) to retain your privacy, the annual fee for so doing is small.
The net is chock-a-block with fraudulent or misleading registration details. The desire to avoid spam is not a good enough reason to fabricate an identity. If the purpose of your domain registration is legit, be out and proud! If it might cause embarrassment or itching, cough up the privacy fee.

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@RJPawlick198

ICANN (not the domain registrar) requires that all information in your registration be valid.

If any dispute arises (see the ICANN Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy rules here) you will be contacted via the means specified in your domain registration. Notice that section 14 of the rules is a section that defines what happens as part of a 'default' (in other words, they can't contact you): They'll proceed with a judgement, and you won't get a say in the proceedings.

ICANN has the power to take a domain from you and give it to somebody else.

So yes, it's important that you include valid information in your registration information.

For a comparison of a what a private domain registration looks like (compared to a regular domain registration) see this comparison: public vs. private.

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@Samaraweera270

Yes, it matters!

At most registries it is a breach of their contract to supply incorrect information, and if caught they can cancel your domain name.

If the registration is for personal (non-trading) use then some registries (like .uk) offer an opt-out so that personal information is not revealed in the "whois" database. However the registry itself still requires your real information.

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@Margaret670

Use private registration to avoid spam and any obvious ties to your organization.

This also lets you register and run a site like DirtyNastyOMGMyMotherWouldKillMeIfSheKnewIRanThisSite.com and not be the obvious owner while you work at KittensAndBunnyRabbitsForGoodHomes.com.
See GoDaddy's Private Registration

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@Pope3001725

I believe that there is an ICANN reg that requires valid information for domain registrations. ICANN requests that registrars reverify the domain registration information periodically. Thus it is possible that you could suddenly find your domain to be inaccessible at some point if invalid information is used.

As you indicate, if you wish to keep your identity out of whois and such, various registrars offer a 'proxy' method of hiding your information. This service is generally not free and cost varies from registrar to registrar.

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@Bethany197

Well, I know this. If you are running a legit business or anything that makes profit, you want to use legit information for all legal reasons.

You are going against the registrars rules also by inserting false information. They could deny you services for violating those terms of use. You are legally purchasing a product that belongs to you and you want to make sure it belongs to you and not "Susie Sue".

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@Candy875

Personally, I wouldn't insert false data. Whilst you generally should not have problems, it is usually against the rules of the registrar you are using and for some TLD's, it is against the registry's rules.

If someone chooses to complain (for any reason) and they have no way to find out who owns the record, and they kick up enough fuss, it is possible that either the registrar or the registry will delete the domain.

However, if privacy is important for you, some places offer privacy for free.

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