Domain Registration & Transfer Policy

1. Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to domain names registered, transferred, renewed or managed through Website Design Office (Pty) Ltd.

Website Design Office operates domain services in accordance with the rules, policies and technical requirements of the applicable domain registry and regulatory authorities.

2. Supported ZA Domain Names

Website Design Office currently supports the following ZARC-administered domain namespaces:

• .co.za
• .org.za
• .net.za
• .web.za

Availability of a particular domain name remains subject to registry rules and the domain's current registration status.

3. Domain Ownership

Registering or transferring a domain through Website Design Office does not make Website Design Office the owner of the domain.

The person or organisation recorded as the Registrant remains the holder of the domain name, subject to the applicable registry policies and domain registration terms.

Website Design Office acts as the registrar responsible for managing the domain on behalf of the Registrant.

4. Registrant Information

Customers must provide accurate and current information when requesting the registration, transfer or management of a domain.

This may include the Registrant's legal name, email address, telephone number, physical address and other information required by the applicable registry.

Customers are responsible for notifying Website Design Office when their contact information changes.

5. Domain Registration

A request for a domain name does not guarantee registration. Registration is only confirmed once the relevant registry successfully creates the domain.

Website Design Office may decline or delay a registration where the requested domain:

• is already registered;
• does not comply with registry naming rules;
• is reserved, restricted or otherwise unavailable;
• contains incomplete or inaccurate Registrant information; or
• cannot lawfully or technically be registered.

6. CIPC Registered Domains

Certain South African businesses may receive a domain name through the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) domain registration initiative.

CIPC handles the initial registration of these domains. The domain must subsequently be transferred to a ZARC Accredited Registrar in order to be professionally managed and connected to services such as business email, website hosting and DNS management.

Website Design Office provides an online CIPC domain transfer service through:

www.websitedesignoffice.co.za/cipc-domain-transfer/

7. Authority to Request a Transfer

A domain transfer may only be requested by the Registrant or by a person who has authority to act on behalf of the Registrant.

Website Design Office may require confirmation of authority before initiating a transfer and may retain records relating to the transfer request for administrative, security and audit purposes.

8. Registrar Transfer Process

Once a valid transfer request has been received, Website Design Office may submit the transfer request to the applicable registry.

For supported ZARC domain namespaces, the registry may issue transfer voting or approval notifications to the contacts associated with the domain.

The Registrant or authorised domain contact must follow the instructions contained in the registry notification for the transfer to continue.

Website Design Office cannot approve a registry voting request on behalf of a Registrant unless specifically permitted by the applicable registry rules.

9. Transfer Does Not Change Domain Ownership

A registrar transfer changes the registrar responsible for managing the domain. It does not by itself transfer ownership of the domain to another person or organisation.

10. Existing Website and Hosting Services

Transferring a domain to Website Design Office does not automatically require the customer to move an existing website or hosting service.

Where technically possible, Website Design Office can continue directing the domain to an existing hosting provider by maintaining or configuring the appropriate DNS records.

11. Domain Renewal

Domains managed by Website Design Office must be renewed in accordance with the applicable renewal cycle and fees.

Customers are responsible for ensuring that renewal invoices are paid before the applicable expiry or suspension deadlines.

Failure to renew a domain may result in suspension, expiry, deletion or eventual availability of the domain for registration by another party, depending on the applicable registry lifecycle.

12. Transfer to Another Registrar

A Registrant may request the transfer of a domain away from Website Design Office, subject to the applicable registry transfer procedures.

Website Design Office will not intentionally prevent a legitimate registrar transfer solely because of a commercial disagreement where doing so would conflict with applicable registry policy.

13. Registry Restrictions

A transfer or domain operation may be delayed, rejected or prevented where:

• the domain is locked or subject to a registry restriction;
• a transfer is already in progress;
• the registry does not permit the requested operation;
• the domain is involved in a dispute or legal process;
• the requesting person cannot demonstrate appropriate authority; or
• the registry or regulator requires another procedure to be followed.

14. Abuse and Unlawful Use

Domains and services provided through Website Design Office may not be used for unlawful, fraudulent, abusive or malicious activities.

Additional requirements are contained in our Acceptable Use & Abuse Policy .

15. Registry Policies

ZA domain names remain subject to the policies, procedures and technical requirements of the applicable registry and regulatory authorities.

Where there is a conflict between this policy and a mandatory registry rule, the applicable registry or regulatory requirement will prevail.

16. Policy Changes

Website Design Office may update this policy when required to reflect changes in legislation, registry procedures, technical requirements or our services.

The latest published version on this website will apply.

17. Contact Website Design Office

For domain registration, transfer, abuse, complaint or policy enquiries, contact: