What Is Domain Registry?
A domain registry is the organization that manages a top-level domain (TLD) — like Verisign for .com or Public Interest Registry for .org. Registries maintain the authoritative database of all domains registered under their TLD.
Why It Matters
Registries sit above registrars in the domain hierarchy. Understanding this helps explain why domains cost what they do and why different TLDs have different rules.
How It Works
The domain system is a hierarchy:
ICANN (governance)
↓
Registry (manages .com, .org, .net, etc.)
↓
Registrar (sells domains — Namecheap, GoDaddy)
↓
Registrant (you — the domain owner)When you register example.com through a registrar:
- The registrar checks with the
.comregistry (Verisign) if it’s available - The registry adds
example.comto the.comdatabase - The registrar charges you (registry fee + markup)
- You control the domain through the registrar’s interface
Major Registries
| TLD | Registry |
|---|---|
| .com, .net | Verisign |
| .org | Public Interest Registry |
| .io | Identity Digital |
| .dev, .app | Google Registry |
| .co | Neustar |
| Country codes (.uk, .de) | National registries |
How This Relates to Domain Forwarding
Registries don’t provide forwarding — that’s the registrar’s or a third-party service’s job. Whether your domain is a .com, .org, .io, or any other TLD, Domain Forward handles HTTPS redirects the same way.
Related Terms
Frequently
asked questions
A registry manages an entire TLD (.com, .org, .io). A registrar sells individual domains to customers. You buy example.com from a registrar (like Namecheap), but Verisign (the registry) maintains the master list of all .com domains.
You usually don't interact with registries directly. They matter for understanding domain pricing (registry fees are the floor price) and domain policies (some TLDs have specific rules about who can register).
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