Joker.com FAQ (EN)

All you need to know about domains at Joker.com

Domain Name Fundamentals

Set of articles, covering the basics, domain life cycle, and a glossary of essential terms.

Domain Name Fundamentals

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is a unique, human-readable string of characters that represents the address of a website or web-based service on the internet. It serves as a memorable and convenient way for users to access websites without needing to remember the numerical IP addresses that computers use to locate each other on the internet.

Think of a domain name as the online equivalent of a street address. Just as a street address helps you locate a specific physical location, a domain name helps users find and access a particular website or web service on the internet.

Domain names are registered and managed by domain Registrars, which are organizations accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to sell and administer domain names. When you register a domain name, you are essentially leasing the right to use that domain name for a specific period of time, usually ranging from one to ten years, and you need to renew the registration periodically to maintain ownership of the domain name.

In summary:

Domain Name Fundamentals

What is a Domain Name Registrar?

Joker.com is an ICANN-accredited domain registrar

What does it mean?

A domain registrar is a company or service that allows individuals or organizations to register and purchase domain names for their websites.

Domain registrars are accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the organization responsible for managing domain names and IP addresses on the Internet. They also provide other services related to domain names, such as domain name transfers, DNS management, and domain name renewal. It's important to choose a reputable and reliable domain registrar to ensure that your domain name is properly registered and managed.

 

When you want to register a domain name, you:


Domain Name Fundamentals

Who is a Domain Registrant?

A domain Registrant, also known as a domain owner, is an individual or organization that has registered and legally owns a specific domain name. The domain Registrant is the entity that has the right to use and control the domain name for a specified period of time, typically through a contract with a domain Registrar.

When registering a domain name, the domain Registrant provides their contact information, including their name, address, phone number, and email address, to the domain Registrar. This information is stored in the domain name system (DNS) and is fully or partially accessible through a WHOIS lookup, which is a database containing information about registered domain names.

 

The domain Registrant has certain responsibilities and rights associated with their domain name. 

This includes the ability to:

The domain Registrants are responsible for:

Domain Name Fundamentals

What is TLD or Top-Level Domain?

TLD stands for Top-Level Domain. It refers to the highest level of the domain name system (DNS) hierarchy, which is the rightmost portion of a domain name. TLDs are the last part of a domain name that comes after the last dot (e.g., .com, .org, .net).

At Joker.com, you can register a big variety of TLDs, including: 

It's worth noting that different TLDs may have varying policies and regulations depending on the registry that manages them. Registries are the organizations responsible for managing and maintaining TLDs, and they may have their own rules and requirements for domain name registration, renewal, transfer, and usage.

For example, some TLDs may have specific eligibility criteria, such as requiring registrants to be located in a certain country or belong to a particular industry or community. Others may have different pricing structures, registration periods, or renewal policies. Additionally, some TLDs may have stricter regulations on content, usage, or trademark protections, while others may have more relaxed policies.

Domain Name Fundamentals

What are Domain Contacts?

Domain contacts, also known as domain name contacts or WHOIS contacts, are the individuals or entities associated with a registered domain name who are designated as points of contact for administrative, technical, and/or billing purposes. Domain contacts are typically specified during the domain registration process and are stored in the domain name system (DNS) as part of the domain's registration information.

 

There are several types of domain contacts that may be associated with a domain name, including:

  1. Registrant: The domain registrant is the legal owner of the domain name. The registrant contact typically provides their name, address, phone number, and email address during the domain registration process.

     

  2. Administrative Contact: The administrative contact is responsible for managing administrative tasks related to the domain name, such as updates to registration information, domain name transfers, and other administrative matters.

     

  3. Technical Contact: The technical contact is responsible for managing technical aspects of the domain name, such as domain name server (DNS) settings, DNS zone configuration, and other technical matters related to the domain's operation.

     

  4. Billing Contact: The billing contact is responsible for managing billing and payment-related matters for the domain name, such as domain name renewal, payment updates, and other billing inquiries.

     

Domain contacts are an important aspect of domain name management, as they serve as points of contact for communication and administration related to the domain name. It's important for domain registrants to keep their domain contact information up-to-date with their domain registrar to ensure that they receive important notifications and can be reached for domain-related matters.

Domain Name Fundamentals

What is the Domain Status?

Domain status refers to the current condition or state of a registered domain name in the Domain Name System (DNS). It typically reflects whether a domain name is active, inactive, expired, or undergoing some other type of special status.

If you query the WHOIS ('Whois query') at Joker.com for a domain, you will get one of the following domain statuses:


To ensure optimal security, domains registered with Joker.com are typically set to "lock" status by default. This recommended status ensures that your domain is safeguarded against any unauthorized transfer or modification attempts, effectively preventing any fraudulent activities.

Domain Name Fundamentals

What is Domain Name Service (DNS)?

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is a system used to translate human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into machine-readable IP addresses (like 192.0.2.1).

When you type a domain name into your web browser, your computer sends a request to a DNS server asking for the IP address associated with that domain name. The DNS server then looks up the IP address in its database and sends it back to your computer. Your computer can then use that IP address to connect to the website you requested.

DNS is an essential part of the internet infrastructure, as it allows users to access websites and other resources using easy-to-remember domain names, rather than having to remember complex IP addresses.

Our free name service is included with all Joker.com domains.

Domain Name Fundamentals

What are IDN Domains?

IDN stands for Internationalized Domain Name. IDN domains allow for domain names to be registered using non-Latin characters.

Before the introduction of IDN domains, domain names were limited to the 26 letters of the Latin alphabet, along with the numbers 0-9 and the hyphen (-) character. This made it difficult for people who use non-Latin scripts to register domain names that accurately reflected their online identity or the content of their website.

With IDN domains, users can register domain names using a wider range of characters from different scripts, making it easier for people to use domain names in their native language or script.

For example:

With IDN domains, they can now register domain names using their native language characters, making it easier for them to represent their online identity and connect with their target audience in their own language.

Enabling IDN domains requires a technical process that involves converting non-Latin characters into ASCII characters, which is a standardized encoding system used by the existing internet infrastructure. This conversion is known as PUNYCODE, and it allows IDN domains to be processed and managed by existing systems that are designed to work with ASCII characters.

To simplify the registration process for IDN domains, we provide a PUNYCODE presentation of the domain name during the registration procedure. This allows users to easily see how their domain name will be encoded in ASCII characters and how it will be displayed in different contexts.

Web sites where you can verify PUNYCODES are (IDN-specific knowledge is required):
Domain Name Fundamentals

What is a Premium Domain Name?

Premium domains are domain names that have been previously registered and are considered more valuable than regular domain names due to their length, keyword relevance, or memorability. These domain names are often shorter, more brandable, and more memorable than regular domain names, making them highly desirable for businesses or individuals who want to establish a strong online presence.

Premium domains are usually not available at the normal/fixed rate, and their prices can vary widely depending on factors such as the domain name's length, its relevance to a specific industry or niche, and the demand for the domain name.

Some premium domain names have sold for millions of dollars, such as "business.com," "insurance.com," and "vacationrentals.com."

Premium domains can be classified into three major types: 

  1. registered domains offered by global networks, run by companies, with individual prices; have to be purchased by transferring the domain
  2. domains offered by the registries at special rates, which can be registered
  3. expired domains that are currently at the end of the RGP phase.

Joker.com offers all three types of premium domains, with most of them available through the regular order process. However, for RGP expired domains, there is a separate section for ordering.

For domains of the first type, a transfer is required during the order process. The transfer usually occurs in real time as these domains are already prepared for fast transfers.

If you need an exciting domain name for your new business, you probably will find it here.

Domain Name Fundamentals

Life Cycle of a Domain

When you register a domain name, you are not actually buying it but rather paying for the right to use it for a certain period of time. When this time is up, the registration will expire. Of course, before it happens, you will be notified and given the chance to renew it for a further period.

Different types of domains have different life cycles, depending on how they are managed by the registry. The graphic below shows a typical life cycle for a generic top-level domain, but specific domains may have different time periods, so it's always important to check our Terms and Conditions

Life Cycle of a Typical gTLD Domain NameLifeCycle

Registration (1-10 years)

When you register a domain, you choose how long you want to use it, typically 1-10 years.


Auto-Renew Grace Period (1-90 Days)


When your registration period ends, your domain enters the auto-renew grace period, where you can still renew your domain name for a regular renewal fee. This period usually lasts between 1-45 days but varies depending on the registrar and registry.


Redemption Grace Period (up to 90 days)

If you don't renew your domain during the auto-renew grace period, it enters the redemption grace period, which can last up to 90 days. During this time, you can still renew your domain, but there may be an additional redemption fee.


Pending Delete

If you don't renew your domain during the redemption grace period, it enters the pending delete stage. This lasts for about 5 days, during which time the registrar requests that the registry delete the domain.


Released/Available to All

After the pending delete stage, the domain becomes available for anyone to register.

Examples of the approximate Joker.com TLDs Life-Cycle Periods *:

 TLD  Auto-Renew/Expired Grace Period (days)
  Redemption Grace Period (days)
  Pending Delete (days)
 DE  25   40    0 
 EU  20   40    0 
 AT  0    59    0 
 NL  0   40   0 
 UK  89   90    90 
CH, LI  0    27    40 
 all other  29   30    5 

* While the above-mentioned time periods are generally accurate, it's important to note that they are provided as estimates and may vary depending on the registry. Additionally, there may be technical requirements that necessitate processing within a specific time frame, which could result in a shorter time period for certain stages.

As a result, it's recommended that you don't wait until the last possible moment, such as the "expired grace period," before renewing your domain. Doing so could result in unexpected issues and potentially losing the domain altogether.

Account

This section provides articles and step-by-step instructions to help users create and manage their Joker.com accounts.

Account

Setting up Your Joker.com Account

First Steps

To be able to register and manage your domains, the first thing you need is to create a user account at joker.com.

This can be done in a few easy steps:

1. Click on "Register" at the top right corner:

 
2. Fill out the form, and click the "Register" button:

 
3. After successful registration, you will see the notification in the top right corner:

 
4. Last step is activating your account, by clicking on the link in the verification email:

That's it! Your account is ready and you can start ordering and managing your domains.

Account

What is Two Factor Authentication?

Two Factor Authentication (2FA)

To enhance the security of your Joker.com account, we highly recommend enabling the optional two-factor authentication feature. This feature adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a six-digit security code, in addition to your password, whenever you log in to your account.

To generate these security codes, you will need a device or password manager that supports 2FA, such as your smartphone. The combination of your password and your smartphone adds an additional layer of security against theft of your credentials or dictionary attacks.

Using a mobile app for your smartphone is a practical and popular option for generating these security codes. Many of these apps are free, but any device or app that supports the TOTP protocol should work. Here is a list of some recommended apps (though not exhaustive):

Note: The user settings for Joker,.com always automatically apply to the reseller portal RPanel.io as well, also with regard to the activation of the 2FA.

Setting up 2FA

To set up 2FA, you need to do the following:

1. Log in to your Joker account and choose "Profile" from the "My Joker" menu on the left side of your dashboard:

2. On the next screen, in the bottom-left corner switch the 2FA slider to the "Enabled" position, and click the "Proceed" button:
3. Following the instructions, scan the QR code and enter the Authentication-code into the corresponding field. Click "proceed":
4. Save the recovery key. It is very important that you write this key down and store it in a safe place! Then click "proceed":

5. Enter the recovery code from the previous step, and click the "enable" button:

6. You are done! In the top right corner you will see the notification:

If you ever lose your phone, or can't receive or generate a security code, you will need the recovery code shown in step 4 for emergency access to Joker.com!

If you have lost your 2FA access device or recovery code, please contact our support.

Later, you can easily activate or deactivate two-factor authentication in your Joker.com Profile as described in step 2.

Account

Change and Recover Your Password

Password Change

You can easily change your password in a few steps:

1. Log in to your account and choose "Profile" in the "My Joker" menu on the left side:

 
2. On the right, under the "Password" section, enter your current and new password, and click "Save":

 
3. Done! You will receive a notification email, next time you can log in with your new password.

 

Password Recovery

In case you have lost your username or password, you will need to initiate password recovery. Please do the following:

 1. Under the "Login" section, click the "Forgot your password?" button: 

 
2. On the next screen, enter your login and/or email, and click "Send Password" or "Send Login":

 
3. Password recovery link or your Login information is sent to you via email. Open the email and click "Recover password":

 
4. Following the link, choose "Yes, I hereby confirm this request and agree", and click "proceed":

 
5. New password has been generated for you, you can use it to log in to your account. We strongly recommend changing your password as soon as you get access to your account!

Account

Understanding Your Dashboard

Dashboard Map

 

 

1

Your current domain portfolio

This is the list of the domains ordered by you or managed by you (see also roles and permissions). If you don't see any of your domains here, the possible reasons are:

  • you have ordered the domain just recently - it may take some minutes before it shows up
  • there was an issue with the payment for the domain - please check your email to if there are any messages from Joker.com 
  • the domain has already expired - please check the WHOIS, if the domain is still registered, and do a "simple renewal" or contact our support
  • you did not order this domain yourself, and you have not been assigned the appropriate permissions ('grants') to list or modify this domain. In this case, you may contact the owner of the domain to ask for such assignments.
2

Domain status and features:

 

grafik.png domain protection is enabled. This is highly recommended to protect your domain from unauthorized transfer. If you wish to transfer your domain anywhere else, you can always unlock it under the "Modify" (4)

grafik.png

 indicates that the domain is unlocked, has the status "production" and is ready for transfer
grafik.png your domain is using Joker name service

grafik.png

 your domain is using custom (foreign) name service
grafik.png indicates that Privacy Service is activated for the domain. More about it you can find here
grafik.png indicates that Trustee Service is activated for the domain. More about it you can find here

grafik.png

 Domain is in "Auto-Renewal" mode. If you want to use this feature, please make sure you have sufficient funds under your payment account (11)

grafik.png

 Role has been assigned to this domain. More about roles and permissions you can find here

grafik.png

 The domain is suspended. Most typical reasons are: domain has expired, domain was suspended due to complaint or dispute.

grafik.png

 Domain is in RGP, and can be restored

 

3

Your domain expiry date

If it turns red, it means your domain is due for renewal.
4

Quick access to the domain "Modify" area

Here you can update domain contacts, lock or unlock your domain, add nameservers, add privacy services, and assign roles for your domain.
5

Quick access to the domain renewal
6

Access to the DNS zone configuration

Here you can add the necessary records to your DNS zone. This area is accessible only for domains using the Joker name service. If you want to change the name servers, you need to do it under the "Modify" (4) section.
7

DNS configuration unavailable

If the "DNS" sign appears grey and non-clickable - this means your domain is using third-party name servers, and you need to configure your DNS zone at your name service provider.
8

Grant a Role for your domain

Please see here how to assign roles for your domain
9

Delete your Domain

Please find more information here
10

Undo domain deletion

This function is no longer available for most TLDs
11

The balance of your Payment Account

If you want to make an order, please make sure, that you have enough funds. The funds on hold - the amount reserved for pending operations, like transfer for example.
12*

Reseller's discount

Find more information regarding the features and benefits of Joker.com Resellers here
13*

Quick access to Reseller's Area

 * available only for Reseller's account

Account

Roles and Permissions

To give other people access to administrate your domain(s) at Joker.com, you can invite them and assign specific "roles" that determine their level of access. It's important to note that these roles only apply to granting access within Joker.com and do not affect the information displayed in Whois for published contacts.

Granting a Role for Your Domain

Here's how you can invite someone to access your domain:

 

  1. Next to your domain name, select "Grants" from the option list. 
  2. Choose the role you wish to grant, and provide the email address of the invitee.
  3. A special link will be sent to the email address you provide.
  4. The person you invite must accept the invitation by clicking the link in the email. If they don't have a Joker.com login, they will have the opportunity to register when they click the link.



Role Types and Their Access Level

Note: Only the domain creator can modify the "auto-renew" feature of a domain, or transfer the domain.


Reseller's Features

For Joker.com Resellers, there's an additional option called "Direct assignment." This allows you to instantly assign roles to another Joker.com account without sending an invitation. "Direct assignment" also enables you to quickly move domains between your different Joker.com accounts.

Account

Becoming a Reseller

Why Become a Joker.com Reseller?

Without a doubt, there are plenty of compelling reasons to join our reseller program. Let's explore the exciting advantages you can enjoy:

Who Can Become a Reseller?

Whether you're an individual or a company, you are eligible to become a Joker.com reseller. If you have five domains or more, it's definitely worth considering the reseller opportunity.

Is There a Fee for Becoming a Reseller?


No, becoming a Joker.com reseller is absolutely free. However, as a reseller, you'll need to fund your Joker.com account in advance (pre-payment). The amount you decide to fund is entirely up to you. Each time you place an order, the corresponding amount will be deducted from your account. This feature ensures reliable auto-renewals if you choose to utilize it.


What is the Minimum Funding Amount to Become a Reseller?


Currently, there is no minimum funding requirement for your reseller account. Your discount will be based on the revenue you generated in the past, allowing you the flexibility to grow at your own pace.

How Can I Become a Reseller?

Simply click here and follow the instructions.

Account

Payment Methods and Invoicing

Accepted Payment Methods

 

Currently, Joker.com accepts the following payment methods:

1. Credit/debit cards

2. PayPal (verified account)

3. Apple Pay

4. ELV (Germany only, 'Lastschriftverfahren')

5. Wire transfer (Reseller's and customer's account funding)

6. Bitcoin (Reseller's account funding)

7. Klarna:

Klarna is a payment provider similar to Paypal and offers both an online payment and purchase on the invoice.
Simply select "Klarna" as your payment method - you can decide in the next step which variant you would like to choose. No fees are charged to the buyer.  For more details see klarna.com

8. Payment Account:

 

Activation of Your Payment Account

 

 

Receipts for Domain Orders

 

Joker.com sends receipts for domain orders via email only. The receipts are sent to:

Please note that the postal address of the receipt will be the same as the billing contact address used. Joker.com does not send invoices by regular mail. Resellers will also receive a monthly invoice for all sales of the previous month, and VAT-IDs are accepted.

More information about roles and billing roles you can find here

Account

Possible Problems With Credit Cards

Common Problems

 

   

Verified by Visa or Mastercard Secure Code

 

When you submit an order at Joker.com, your credit card will be automatically checked to determine if it participates in the Verified by Visa or Mastercard Secure Code program. More information on this process can be found here.

If your card is flagged for one of these security measures, a new window will appear. If your credit card is not yet activated, simply provide the requested authentication information from your card issuer (e.g., date of birth or social security number) and create a password. Submit the information, and you're done.

Note: This mechanism is provided by your card issuer (bank), and Joker.com has no influence or insight into it.

 

Problems Associated with Verified by Visa/Mastercard Secure

 

1. Problems with the Pop-up Window


The pop-up window accessed during the process is not provided by Joker.com but by your bank. Occasionally, there may be temporary issues at the bank, resulting in error messages or a blank window. In such cases, contacting your bank, explaining the issue, and attempting to reorder later is recommended.

Joker.com only charges once the popup application is successfully terminated, so there is no risk of double charging.

Other problems may be related to malfunctioning modules or non-standard browser configurations. To address this, you can try the following:


2. Sharing Credit Cards


Whether you and your family members share the same password depends on your Visa/Mastercard member bank's policies. Some banks require individual activation of each card and the creation of a personal Verified by Visa password/Mastercard Secure ID. Other banks activate the card for all account holders, resulting in a shared password. Contact your issuing bank for specific details.

Once your card is activated, you can shop as usual, and your credit card number will be automatically recognized at checkout. Ensure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled and that pop-up blockers are disabled on your computer.

Account

Restore Access to Your Account

You forgot your password

You can easily recover it by clicking "forgot password" in the login section. Please refer to our Step-by-Step instructions.

You have lost your device for 2FA

As a domain registrar, JOKER.com is committed to security - particularly account/domain data protection. We cannot simply switch off 2FA and give you access to the account.

If you want us to switch off the 2FA, you must verify your identity first and prove you are indeed the account/domain holder.

Therefore, please send us a copy of an official document (identity card, or driving license, or passport) that confirms:

Once your identity is verified, we can proceed with further assistance.

 

You have lost your credentials completely

In this case, the only option left is to move your domain to a new active account. Please, refer to this article for instructions.

Account

Deleting Your Joker.com Account

How to Delete Your User Account?

If you don't have any domains under your administration and don't need an account at Joker.com anymore, you may want to delete your user account. This can be easily done in a few simple steps:

1. Click on your Login in the top right corner, and choose "My Profile" from the list

 
2. On the next page, scroll all the way down, and click "Delete"

 
3. Our support will receive your request and send you a confirmation of a receipt.

We give 48 hours grace period, if you don't change your mind, your account will be deleted after this period.

Account

I Don't See My Domain

If you've logged in and can't find your domain under your account, there are a few common reasons for this:

  1. Recent Domain Order: If you've recently ordered the domain, it might take a few minutes before it becomes visible in your account.

  2. Payment Issues: Check your email for any messages from Joker.com. There could have been a problem with the payment for the domain.

  3. Alternate Account: It's possible that you registered your domain under a different Joker.com account. You might need to follow these steps to restore access to your account if this is the case.

  4. Role Changes: If your account was assigned a certain role that has been revoked or removed, this might lead to the domain not being visible. You could reach out to the domain owner to assign you a role.

  5. Domain Expiry: If the domain has already expired and is scheduled for deletion, it won't be visible in your account. You can try to restore a domain in such cases.

  6. Reseller's Domain: If your domain has been registered through one of our resellers, please get in touch with them for any domain-related questions.

If you are indeed the owner of the domain and believe it's missing due to an error, please get in touch with Joker.com Support for assistance.

To get help as quickly as possible, please use this Checklist

Domain Management

This chapter offers instructions on how to manage your domain: the registration process, modifications, adding services, renewing, and restoring domains. It equips you with the knowledge and tools needed to handle your domains with ease and confidence.

Domain Management

Registering a Domain Name

How to Register a Domain Name?

If you are interested in a Premium Domain Name, please see also this article: How to Register a Premium Domain

 
1. Go to the Joker.com homepage and enter your desired domain name in the search field.

Click "Search & Register Now."

Most registries require a minimum of 2 characters (excluding endings), and the maximum length we support is 67 characters (including endings). The domain name cannot start with a hyphen "-", and some domains cannot start with "bq-" or have hyphens "--" at the third and fourth position. Refer to the registration policies for .de domains (below) for more information.

 
2. On the next page, you'll see the availability of your desired domain name in different namespaces.

Click here to learn more about which TLDs are available at Joker.com. You can also check our Pricelist to see if a specific TLD is supported.

 
3. Once you've chosen the perfect domain name, add it to your shopping cart and proceed to checkout. 

At this stage, you can also add a Privacy service for your domain. If you're interested in privacy, you can find more information here. Click "checkout," and you'll be prompted to log in. If you don't have an account, you'll have the opportunity to register one.

 
4. On the next page, you'll need to create contacts for your domain name. 

You can either create new contacts or use existing ones. Please note that contact requirements may vary for some ccTLDs (country code top-level domains).

 
5. After adding the contact information, you can choose the nameservice to be used for your new domain.

You can either add external nameservers or use Joker nameservers for free. You can always change nameservers later if needed. More information about nameservice can be found here. Additionally, you can add domain permissions (see roles) and choose to make your Whois information public by selecting "Whois opt-in."

 
6. Review the domain information and make any necessary corrections.

 
7. Select your preferred payment method, agree to our Terms and Conditions, and complete your order.

 
8. Verify your Domain Order. 

To check if your domain has been successfully registered, wait for the email notification. You can also query our 'Search whois' tool by entering the domain name in question. A successfully registered domain will also appear on your dashboard within a couple of minutes after registration. 

 

Registration Policies for .de Domains

Valid characters for a .de domain name include:

With the introduction of IDN registrations, an additional 92 characters are allowed from the character sets Latin Extended-A and Latin-1 Supplement.

Important rules for .de domains:

For more information, please refer to DENIC-Domainrichtlinien.

 

My Order Failed

If your order for domain registration failed for any reason, the specific domain order request has FAILED. Unfortunately, it is not possible to 'reactivate' this order request, so please start a new order.

The reason for the failure is always stated in the email sent after every domain order.

In some cases, you may encounter the error message "The domain is already registered," indicating that the domain was temporarily reserved by your first request.

If this happens, please try again after a few minutes to allow the process to settle on our side. If the issue persists, please contact us and provide your order details.

Domain Management

Privacy Services

Secure your Domain Privacy

Since May 25th, 2018, European and generic top-level domains have limited the amount of Whois data available on the internet to comply with the European data privacy regulation (GDPR).

However, the registrant's data still needs to be submitted to the registries. Some top-level domains require the complete set of Whois data and make it publicly available.

The WHOIS service provides information such as the registrant's name and, depending on the responsible registry's policy, their street address and email addresses. It is important to note that using incorrect, incomplete, or fake data violates the registration agreement with the related registry and Joker.com, and may result in the deletion of the domain name (refer to section 5.c/11.d of Joker.com T&C).

To protect registrants from data abuse, proxy-privacy.com, through IDPS (International Domain Privacy Services) GmbH, a subsidiary of CSL GmbH, offers privacy protection services. These services effectively shield the registrant's information, keeping their data confidential. By using these services, the registrant is represented by alternate contact data provided by IDPS GmbH while remaining compliant with registration policies.

The registrant's own data will still be securely maintained and escrowed by Joker.com to ensure the registrant's ownership of the domain and compliance with ICANN's and the registry's policies.

Privacy services are available for most gTLD domain names. The availability of privacy services is indicated in the price list and domain search ( image.png Whois Proxy Privacy available).

Here is an example of what privacy service means to a domain name's public Whois output:

 
Standard Whois Output*
With Privacy Basic
With Privacy Pro
Registrant Name: Max Musterman Max Musterman On behalf of yourdomain.com
Registrant Organization: ACME ACME c/o IDPS International Domain Privacy Services GmbH
Registrant Street: Main Street 123

c/o IDPS International Domain Privacy Services GmbH

Hansaallee 191

 Hansaallee 191
Registrant City: Foo City Duesseldorf Duesseldorf
Registrant State/Province:  
ABC    
Registrant Postal Code: 54321 40549 40549
Registrant Country: DE DE DE
Registrant Phone: +99.110 12345678 +49 211 867 67 448 +49 211 867 67 448
Registrant Fax: +99.110 12345679 +49 211 867 67 6448 +49 211 867 67 6448
Registrant Email: yourprivatemail@email.com      35b27c46c3d9040b881fc4f@proxy-privacy.com   35b27c46c3d9040b881fc4f@proxy-privacy.com  

* Without WHOIS privacy for non-GDPR-compliant TLDs

Please find all details, conditions, and the Acceptable Use Policy here: proxy-privacy.com

And here you find all instructions on how to enable Whois Privacy

Prices are available here: Joker.com Pricelist

Please note the following:

Examples

Transfer with privacy service

Let's assume you have a .com domain with a remaining term of 5 months, and you want to transfer it to Joker.com with a privacy basic service.

This would result in:

mandatory 1-year renewal with transfer:  USD 13.70*
optional 1-year privacy basic service: USD   1.49*
result - 1-year additional domain term, and 17 months of privacy 

USD 15.19*

*The above price is an example only, actual prices are shown in our Price List

Renew with privacy service (I)

Let's say you want to renew a .com domain expiring in 3 months and enable Whois privacy pro:

1-year renewal for the .com domain:  USD 13.70*
1-year privacy pro service: USD   2.49*
result - 1-year additional domain term, and 15 months of privacy  USD 16.19*
the additional 3 months are "rounded down" which means, they are added, but not charged

*The above price is an example only, actual prices are shown in our Price List

Renew with privacy service (II)

Let's say you want to renew a .com domain expiring in 8 months and enable Whois privacy pro:

1-year renewal for the .com domain:  USD 13.70*
2 years of privacy pro service: USD   4.98*
result - 1-year additional domain term, and 20 months of privacy  USD 18.68*
the additional 8 months are "rounded up"  which means, an additional year of privacy is charged

*The above price is an example only, actual prices are shown in our Price List

Acquire privacy service for an existing domain (I)

Let's assume you own a .com domain expiring in 13 months, and you want to add privacy pro:

1-year privacy pro service: USD   2.49*
result - domain term is unchanged, and 13 months of privacy 

USD   2.49*
the additional 1 month is "rounded down" which means, they are added, but not charged

*The above price is an example only, actual prices are shown in our Price List

Acquire privacy service for an existing domain (II)

Let's assume you own a .com domain expiring in 3 months, and you want to add privacy pro. In this case, you will receive a warning because the privacy term cannot exceed the domain's term. We advise considering using the "Renewal" option with privacy in this scenario:

1-year privacy pro service: USD   2.49*
result - domain term is unchanged, and 3 months of privacy 

USD   2.49*
you will only get 3 months of privacy service - you should consider 'renewal' instead

*The above price is an example only, actual prices are shown in our Price List

Domain Management

Adding Privacy Services

Whois Privacy Services are available for most generic top-level domains. You can check their availability in Joker.com's s price list and also the domain search.

Privacy Services can be enabled for new domain registrations, transfers, renewals, and even for existing domains.

For detailed information about the services, pricing, and periods, please visit the Whois Privacy Services page.

Enabling Privacy Services for Existing Domains

To order Privacy Services for your existing domains, please:

 

Registering New Domains with Privacy Services

To register a new domain with Privacy Services, simply add the domain to the cart as usual. In the cart, you'll find the new privacy options under "Add Privacy." Just click on it to make your selection.

 

Renewing a Domain and Adding Privacy Services

When renewing your domains, you can use the "Renew Domains" option in the Service zone or a direct link on the Joker.com home page. In the new renewal dialogue, you'll find easy-to-use checkboxes to enable Privacy Services for applicable domains.

 

Transferring a Domain and Adding Privacy Services

We now offer the option to apply Privacy Services to domains during a transfer. If a domain already had privacy services with the previous registrar, the Whois data will never be disclosed. To choose privacy options, initiate a transfer as usual, and find the selection under the "Additional Products" section below the AUTH-ID.

Domain Management

Domain Trustee Service

Some domain types, particularly country domains, have regulations regarding the residency of the domain holder. For instance, for .EU domains, the registrant's contact country must be a member of the EU, including Norway and Liechtenstein.

To allow clients who don't meet these requirements to register such domains, they can utilize trustee services. A trustee acts as the official registrant on behalf of the client. The trustee-client relationship is governed by a trustee contract, which outlines responsibilities and ensures the client's ownership of the domain. Sample contracts can be found under "My Joker" -> "Downloads" after logging in to Joker.com.

In addition to privacy services, IDPS GmbH offers trustee services for Joker.com. In our price list, you'll find the domains for which a trustee service is available.

Registering a Domain With a Trustee Service

When ordering a domain with an available trustee service, you can choose to include this service along with the domain name.

 

Adding Trustee Service to an Existing Domain

Trustee agreements can also be added to existing domains by accessing the "Domain Management" section.

Domain Management

Cancel a Domain Name Registration

We understand that sometimes you may need to cancel a domain name registration. However, it's important to note that once a domain is registered, it cannot be canceled or refunded.

Domain registrations occur in real-time, and therefore, it's crucial to double-check the domain name you intend to register to avoid any future complications.

If you made a typo or an error while registering a domain, unfortunately, you will need to start the registration process again with the correct information.

While it is possible to delete a domain name, it's essential to be aware that doing so will not result in a refund. Once a domain is deleted, any fees or charges associated with the registration will not be reimbursed.

Please note that resellers may receive a refund for deletions of generic top-level domains (gTLDs) within 72 hours after the initial registration.

Domain Management

Domain Management Section

Domain Management Tools

1

General domain information and current status

2

Current domain owner (registrant) details

3

"Edit" button for domain owner information - update Whois details for your domain

4

"Edit" button for nameservers

Connect external nameservers or switch to Joker free nameservers, for more information and instructions please refer to this article

5

DNS configuration - add necessary records

This option is available only with Joker free nameservice

6

Apply current nameservice to multiple or all domains at once

7

Grant roles for your domain

Find more information about roles here

8

Indicator showing enabled protection and "lock" status for the domain

9

Remove the domain protection button

Unlock the domain with a click if preparing for transfer

10

Request AuthId for domain transfer

AuthId will be sent to the current registrant's email - Remember to unlock the domain first (button 9)

11

Add privacy service to your domain

Learn more about privacy here

12

Information about domain contacts

Find more details about domain contacts here

13

Domain contact details

14

"Edit" contact button

15

Swap contact

Connect another already existing contact handle if desired

16

Apply these contacts to multiple domains at once

17

Additional information about your domain

18

Renew your domain by clicking this button
Domain Management

Domain Renewal

Renewing a domain involves extending its lifetime by adding years. The duration can range from 1 to 10 years, depending on the domain type (TLD). When you renew before the expiration date, the added time is appended to the existing term, ensuring you don't lose any remaining validity.

Domain owners can renew their domains using the regular renewal procedure, which can be initiated right from the dashboard:

Notifications are sent before a domain's expiration to remind them of the upcoming renewal. More information about these renewal reminders, including recipients and timing, is provided below.

In cases where roles are assigned to a domain, the 'Admin' and/or 'Billing' roles also have the authority to renew the domain. To learn more about 'roles' and 'permissions,' please click here.

Automatic Domain Renewal

Note: In order to use automatic renewals, a Joker.com payment account is required, which you can activate easily and free of charge if you do not already have one. Deposits to this account can then also be made by bank transfer. 

All domains you marked as "to be auto-renewed" will be automatically renewed when due to expire. The auto-renewal status for domains can be enabled or disabled at any time. 

You will still get the usual renewal reminders, which additionally contain the auto-renewal status. Please find the complete schedule of renewal notices below. Additionally, 2 special auto-renew messages are sent 4 and 2 weeks before expiration. 

The actual renewal will happen 30 days before the expiration of the given domain.

For Resellers, the renewals are executed 7 days before expiration, and this can be changed in the Joker.com user profile.

Domains with the status "expired" (grace period) can not be included in auto-renewal, they have to be renewed manually.

If your account does not have sufficient funds at the selected time of auto-renew, automatic renewal will not take place, and you will have to renew manually. 

Notifications will also be sent before and after an automatic renewal - so you are always up-to-date! 

Auto-renew can be configured in the following sections: 

Simple Renewal

If you encounter difficulties while renewing a domain, such as login issues or your designated administrator failing to renew it for you, you have the option to use Simple Renewal. With this method, you can renew a domain for one year without needing to log in.

Initiate simple renewal in three easy steps:

1. Choose "Renew" from the "Domains" menu in the top left corner
2. Provide the domain name under the "Simple renewal" section, and add it to your shopping cart 

You can even add multiple domains to your shopping cart, and further options like Privacy Service.

3. Complete the payment.

Learn about accepted payment methods here. This renewal process extends the domain's validity for one year without making any changes to other data, permissions, claims, or aspects of the domain.

Renewal Reminders

Expired Registration Recovery Policy (ERRP)

According to the ICANN policies, all ICANN-accredited Registrars like Joker.com are obliged to establish certain procedures for communication with domain owners (the registrants) in the event of due renewals.

As of 9/01/2013, each Registrar has to comply with certain minimum requirements regarding the notification of domain owners (the registrants) about the expiration of their domain.

This is part of the ERRP, the "Expired Registration Recovery Policy", and this also includes the obligation of the registrar to send at least two notices to the registrant before, and one notice after the eventual expiration of a domain.
Please find more details at ICANN.

Timing and number of notices to be sent are defined by ICANN. Of course, ERRP emails will not be sent if a renewal has been already performed.

Resellers do have the option to set their own sender's address for these reports in the reseller's profile, which allows to connect to their customers.

The complete schedule of all renewal notices issued by Joker.com for domains
Renewal Notices
 Sent when Recipient ( role )
 60 days before the expiration creator (or DA, who ordered a domain)
 30 days before the expiration creator, admin, billing
 26 days before expiration* owner* (registrant in Whois), creator
 10 days before the expiration creator, admin, billing, owner*
 2 days before the expiration creator, admin, billing, owner*
 2 days after expiration owner, creator

*) new mailing, or new addressee

Beware of Fake Renewal Offers

Some unauthorized parties send false renewal announcements to domain holders, often with inflated prices and concealed transfer attempts. Further details and examples of these scams can be found in the following resources:

Domain Management

Domain Has Expired - What to Do?

Domain Stopped Working

The most common reason for this is that the domain has expired. According to the ERRP regulation by ICANN, we are required to set the domain status to 'inactive' when it expires as a final reminder.

If you missed the renewal reminders we sent before the expiration, please check the email addresses associated with your Joker.com account and the domain data for accuracy.

To check the domain status, go to 'My Domains' or use the 'Whois Search' on Joker.com.

If you see that the domain name has expired, please renew it as soon as possible. For most domain types, Joker.com provides an additional grace period of up to 30 days* for renewing the domain. During this period, you can still renew this domain at the regular renewal price.

To renew a domain, visit 'Renew a Domain' in the 'Domains' menu. Learn more about the renewal procedure here.

Grace Periods for Expired Domains

Most domains can be renewed within a grace period of up to 30 days* after the expiration date. During this period, we keep the domain reserved, but it will not be usable due to its "expired" status.

However, post-expiration renewal may not be available for all the domain types as it depends on the registry.

Please note that you can always use the Simple Renewal procedure to renew a domain, even if regular renewal is not currently possible.

After the grace period mentioned above, most domains will enter the Redemption Grace Period (RGP), which is explained here.

* Please keep in mind that the data provided above are indicative, and the exact times are specified by the registries, which may vary. Additionally, there are technical requirements for some deadlines that may allow for processing within slightly shorter periods. Therefore, we strongly recommend not waiting until the theoretical maximum, such as the "expired grace period," before renewing a domain.

Domain Management

The Redemption Grace Period (RGP)

Most gTLD domains, which are domains under ICANN regulation, have a special status called the Redemption Grace Period or RGP.

What does this mean?

When a domain is deleted, it is not immediately removed from the registry's database. Instead, for up to 30 days* following the deletion, the domain cannot be registered again. During this time, the registrar responsible for the domain can "reanimate" or restore it on behalf of the registrant, typically in cases of renewal problems.

Please note that Joker.com also adds a grace period of approximately 30 days* for expired domains. Therefore, the 30-day* Redemption Grace Period starts after approximately 30 days* of Joker.com's grace period for regular expired domains.

The availability of the Redemption Grace Period and the specific timeline depend on the domain type and the registry operating the domain.

A domain in Redemption can be restored or re-registered either through the Redemption Restore Procedure or by browsing the pool of available domains in the RGP. Please be aware that this procedure usually has different pricing based on the domain type. Refer to the price list for more information.

How to restore the domain:

1.  Log in to your account, and choose "Restore - RGP" from the "Domains" menu


 
2. Enter the domain name and add it to the shopping cart

After clicking "Proceed", you will be directed to the payment page. The total fee will be calculated as follows: restore fee + 1-year renewal fee. For the exact amount, please check our price list.


Please note, after successful restoration of a domain from RGP, transferring it to another registrar is not possible for another 30 days.

 

End of Redemption Grace Period (RGP)

After approximately 30 days* in RGP, the domain's status changes to "pending delete" for 5 days*. During this period, restoration is no longer possible.

On the 6th day after the deletion, the domain becomes available for registration again. The exact time for when a new registration is possible is randomly chosen to ensure fair conditions for all.

For more information about a domain's life cycle, please refer to the Joker.com Terms and Conditions.

Please note that before a domain enters RGP or is deleted by Joker.com, the responsible contacts associated with the domain will receive multiple email notifications. The exact notification scheme can be found here.

* Please keep in mind that the data provided above are indicative, and the exact times are specified by the registries, which may vary. Additionally, there are technical requirements for some deadlines that may allow for processing within slightly shorter periods. Therefore, we strongly recommend not waiting until the theoretical maximum, such as the "expired grace period," before renewing a domain.

Domain Management

Deletion of a Domain

To delete a domain, please: 

Please note: Most domain names are not immediately available after a deletion. They usually enter a "pending delete" status determined by the domain's registry. Here you find more information regarding the Redemption Grace Period, and a domain name's life cycle.

Domain Management

Creating and Modifying Contacts

To add or modify Domain Contacts, follow these steps:

1. Log in to Joker.com using your login name and password.
 
2. In the menu "My Joker", select "Contacts".

 
3. You will see a list of all your contacts. 

To create a new contact, click on the "Create New Contact" button located at the top right corner (1). To modify any of them, click on "Modify" (2).

 
4. Fill out the form, and click "Proceed."

Please note the following:

Domain Management

Premium Domain Name Registration

Here is how you register a premium domain name:

1. You send a request to our support team to register a premium domain name. 

2. Additionally, you will need to provide us with the following information:

3. Make a payment prior to registration:

Domain Management

Whois Data Accuracy

With the introduction of new generic top-level domains (new gTLDs), ICANN established fresh criteria for registrants' data when registering a domain. You can find the official specifications for these new requirements here. Due to the enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), no personal data is disclosed in the Whois records for gTLDs.

For all generic top-level domains (gTLDs), the registrar is required to perform Whois data validation in the following instances:

Upon registration, transfer, or modification of the registrant details, an email will be promptly sent to the Registrant's specified email address for the domain.

This email will contain a link that, when clicked, will register the associated email address as verified.

It is important to verify the email within 15 calendar days; otherwise, the domain associated with the Registrant's email address may be temporarily suspended. In such cases, the domain will redirect to a special landing page.

The landing page will notify you of the issue and provide information on how to resolve it.

Additionally, you will receive at least three (3) additional email notices before the end of the 15-day period.

Role of Domain Owners in Maintaining Up-to-Date Whois Data

When it comes to maintaining the accuracy of whois data, and the information associated with a domain name, it is the responsibility of the domain owner. The domain owner has to ensure that the contact information provided, such as email and postal addresses, remains valid and up to date. It is crucial that any notices or communications sent to these addresses are promptly received and read.

Consequences of Invalid Whois Data

Having invalid contact information in the whois data can result in the cancellation of the domain. This policy is enforced by ICANN, and most domain registries, and is also outlined in Joker.com's Terms & Conditions.

You Received a Warning: Wrong Whois Data or "Invalid Address"

If we receive a complaint from an authoritative party (such as ICANN, Registry, or local authorities) regarding potential issues with the Whois data of a domain, we typically initiate a process to request the domain owner to review the information and make necessary corrections to rectify any inaccuracies.

Please note that if this process leads to a change in the registrant's Whois data, there may be applicable fees involved.

To correct your data after the "Invalid Address" process is started, please:

1. Choose "Ownership/Permissions" from the "Domains" menu

2. Enter the domain name with "Invalid Address" status, choose "Change an incomplete or wrong Whois address record", and click "proceed"

Domain Management

Additional Information for Specific TLDs

General Guidelines for ccTLDs

Distinguishing Person and Organization Handles

For the majority of ccTLDs, we classify handles into two categories: person (format = 'COTO-P-xxxxx') and organization (format = 'COTO-O-xxxxx'). For instance, a person handle might look like 'COTO-P-1234567'.

Mandatory Contact Types: the roles of admin, tech, and billing contacts are exclusively assigned to person-type handles.

Creating Person-contact Handles

When generating person handles, follow these rules:

    If the new person handle is created, it will adhere to the format 'COTO-P-XXXXX'.

Exception for .FR Domains:

Creating Organization-contact Handles

For generating organization handles, follow these steps:

If the newly created handle is an organization type, it will follow the format 'COTO-O-XXXXX'.

The policies and registration rules for many country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) differ from those of generic top-level domains (gTLDs), and they also vary among themselves. If you are considering registering a ccTLD, we recommend checking the additional information in our Terms and Conditions (T&C):

5) Addendum of T&C if you register one of the following domains: 

.ag .at .army, .navy, .airforce      
.be .berlin .biz .build .bz  
.ca .ch .cn .courses .cz  
.de .dk .doctor      
.eco .ee .es .eu    
.fi .fr        
.hamburg .hn        
.ie .im .in .info .io .it
.koeln/.cologne          
.lc .li .london .lu    
.me .mn .mobi      
  .net .nl .nu    
.sc .se .sk .study    
.tel .travel        
.uk .us        
.vet .vc        
.xxx .xyz        
Renewals

One of the most important aspects to consider is the renewal timeframe. This refers to the period within which you must renew your domain if you wish to keep it before it expires. When we send you a renewal reminder, we provide the latest renewal date along with the expiration date. It is crucial to renew your domain before the "latest renewal date." Failure to do so may result in the need to pay a restoration fee in addition to the renewal fee, even if the expiration date has not yet been reached.

.AT Renewal and Deletion Policy

To find the service period of an .AT domain, follow these steps:
When .AT domain is deleted by the end of the current service period:
If an .AT domain is explicitly deleted:
To delete an .AT domain:
If an .AT domain is not renewed and has expired:

Registration and Modifications of .DK Domains

Upon completing the registration process, the owner-contact will receive an email with a login ID and PIN code. These credentials are needed to log in to the registry site and activate their domain name. Failure to complete this activation within four (4) days will result in the deletion of the domain.

General modifications including changing name servers for .dk domains can only be performed on the Hostmaster-DK Self-Service: https://self-service.dk-hostmaster.dk/domain

For more information please refer to https://punktum.dk/en/faq

Please see also: .dk Domain Transfer and Change of Registrant

.IT and .DK Domains - Registrant's Contact Type Verification

Just like .se domains, the owner contacts for .it and .dk domains also have specific requirements:

It's essential to ensure that the owner's contact information matches the correct type; otherwise, the domain registration will not be successful.

.BE Domains - Registrant's Verification at Initial Registration

BE-nic activates domain names only after validating the contact details of the domain name holder. Please, refer to this article for more information about contact validation:

https://www.dnsbelgium.be/en/registrant-verification

.SE Domains - Registrant's Contact Type Verification

When registering a .se domain, the registrant is required to provide additional information, specifically the organization or personal identification number of the registrant.

From time to time, the .se registry checks the registrants' records for .se domains. If this ID is incorrect or of the wrong type, they may suspend or even delete the domain. Therefore, at the moment of registration, please ensure the following:

.CN Domains - Real Name Verification (RNV)

After registration, renewal, or transfer of a .cn domain, there are special requirements of the registry CNNIC to meet before the domain will become active.

Update: As of August 1st, 2022, .cn domains can only be renewed when the Registrant Contact ID has passed RNV!

  • A .CN registration or transfer will show a "PENDING" status within the first 5 days from registration submission.
  • A .CN registration or transfer will bypass the PENDING status only if the REGISTRANT ID (see below) has previously been verified (or whitelisted) by CNNIC.
  • Supporting documents (see below) have to be uploaded here after the registration or transfer, or in case the RNV is requested for existing .cn domains (you have to be logged in to upload the documents).
  • In the event that the supporting documentation provided does not match the Registrant Name or if no supporting documentation is submitted, the Real Name Verification will FAIL, and the domain name will then be deactivated until a correct set of supporting documentation is received and accepted by CNNIC.
  • A .cn domain that cannot be renewed because of a missing or failed Real Name Verification (RNV) will be deleted.
Documentation Requirements:

China-based Company Registrations need to provide the following:

  • If the registrant is a business/organization, then the registrant's name and the organization cannot be the same. For this type of registrant, you will need to submit a Business Registration Certificate (BRC). Additionally, the registrant contact also has to provide a personal document/ID.

China-based Individual Registrations need to provide the following:

  • If the registrant is an individual, then the registrant's name and organization name must be the same. For individual registrants, you must submit an ID.

Company Registrations based outside of China need to provide the following:

  • A copy of corporate documentation that shows it is a legal entity (e.g., Articles of Incorporation, business license). Additionally, the CNNIC audit system only allows one page to be uploaded. Only the first page of the license, which mentions the official company name, has to be provided.

Individual Registrations based outside of China need to provide the following:

  • A copy of government-issued identification for the Registrant must match what is listed in WHOIS (must be a valid passport).

Important:

  • All files should be in .JPG format, no less than 100KB and no more than 1MB in size.
  • The CNNIC audit system only allows one page to be submitted.
  • China-based companies should only provide the first page of the BRC.

.XXX Domains

Once you successfully purchase a .XXX domain, you will receive an email from ICM, the .XXX domain registry. In this email, you will find a link that you need to click on in order to complete the authentication process on the ICM website.

This verification process is essential to ensure that the .XXX registry has accurate and verified information about the registrant of the .XXX domain(s).

For additional details regarding .XXX domain applications and policies, please visit the ICM registry.

DNS

This chapter is dedicated to DNS (Domain Name System). It provides detailed guidance on adding, changing, modifying, and configuring your DNS zone, ensuring proper functioning and accessibility of their domains and associated services.

DNS

Adding Name Servers to Your Domain

Every domain requires a minimum of two (2) associated nameservers.

You have the freedom to choose any name service you prefer. The Joker.com name service is provided for free along with the Joker.com domain fee. By default, the Joker.com name servers are configured unless you explicitly change them during the ordering process.

It's important to note that certain top-level domains (TLDs) have specific nameserver requirements. For more details, please refer to the Specific ccTLDs: Nameservice article.

Adding Existing Nameservers: Joker NS or Foreign

To add nameservers, follow these steps:

1. On your Dashboard, click the "Modify" icon next to the domain you want to add NS to:

2. In the Domain Management section, locate the "Name Servers" subsection, and click the "edit" icon:

 
3. Click the "Use custom Nameservers" button:

 
4. Add desired nameservers, and click "save":

You can change these to any foreign nameservers, such as the nameservers provided by your hosting provider. Please note that only already registered nameservers in the respective registry can be added.

 
5. You can switch back to Joker NS at any time:

DNS

Creating and Modifying Your Own Nameservers

If you prefer not to use the free Joker.com name service and instead want to use your own nameservers, you need to "register" it.

Please note: Creating nameservers (e.g., registering a hostname with an IP address to define a nameserver) only works with Joker.com if the domain used for these nameservers is also a Joker.com domain. This limitation is based on technical/registry constraints.

If you intend to use a domain from another registrar, only that registrar will be able to register the nameservers with the registry.

To register your own nameservers, please follow these steps:

1. Under Domain Management, click on the edit icon in the "Nameservers" section:

2. Click on "register NS":

3. Enter NS name:

4. Enter IP-addresses and click "proceed":

Modifying Your Own Nameservers

If you want to modify the Nameserver you have previously created, you need to follow these steps:

1. Choose "Nameservers" from the "My Joker" menu:

2. Search for the Nameserver you would like to modify, and click "Change":

3. Make necessary changes, and click "Save":

After a successful change, you will receive a confirmation email.

Deleting Your Nameservers

If you want to delete one of your previously registered Nameservers, you can do this easily by following the steps below:

1. Choose "Nameservers" from the "My Joker" menu:

2. Search for the Nameserver you would like to delete, check it, and click "Delete marked DNS":

Please note: Only Nameservers that are not linked to any domain (even if they are in the RGP) can be deleted. If the selected name server is still in use, it cannot be deleted.

DNS

DNS Records Supported by Joker.com Nameservice

Overview of supported records and brief explanations. You can enter these records for your domain by accessing the "DNS" menu item in the domain list on Joker.com.

Supported Records
URL Forwarding Redirects your domain to an external website (URL). For more information, refer to this article on how to use the web/URL forwarding feature of Joker.com
Email Forwarding Creates email addresses for your domain, forwarding emails to your existing external mail account. Learn how to configure email forwarding in the provided guide
A  Binds your domain or hosts within the domain to an IPv4 address. Allows you to create entries like 'www.your-domain.com' that point to an external IP address.
DYNA  Part of the Dynamic DNS Service - associates your domain or host with your provider's temporary IP address. The IP can be automatically updated using your router device or a client program. Make sure Dynamic DNS (DynDNS) is enabled for your domain.
MX  Specifies the email server responsible for accepting emails for your domain. Additional details about MX records can be found here.
AAAA  Associates your domain or host within the domain with an IPv6 address.
DYNAAAA  Part of the Dynamic DNS Service - associates your domain or host with your provider's temporary IPv6 address. The IP can be automatically updated using your router device or a client program. Ensure that Dynamic DNS (DynDNS) is enabled for your domain.
CNAME  Maps your domain or hostname to another domain or hostname. This is useful for creating aliases such as 'www.your-domain.com' and 'blog.your-domain.com', alongside an A record for your-domain.com. More information about CNAME records can be found here.
ALIAS Somehow similar to CNAME, it allows to ALIAS can also be applied to the domain itself. Note that ALIAS records are not compatible with DNSSEC. More information can be found here.
DNAME Similar to CNAME, but DNAME applies to all subordinate hosts (subdomains) of an entry. Additional details about DNAME records can be found here.
SPF  Sender Policy Framework - used to detect email spoofing and prevent spam. There are various free online SPF record creators available, such as the one found here. Please see below, how to define an SPF record.
TXT  Creates a TXT record for handling specific tasks, including requesting Let's Encrypt SSL certificates. See here for more information about TXT records.
SRV  Specifies the location of server(s) for a specific protocol and domain. More details about SRV records can be found here.
NAPTR  Specifies a regular expression-based rewrite rule that generates a new domain label or URI when applied to an existing string. Refer to this resource for additional information on NAPTR records.
NS  Specifies the responsible nameserver for a subdomain and is not allowed at top-level. More details about NS records can be found here.
CAA  Allows you to specify which Certification Authority (CA) is permitted to issue SSL certificates for your domain or hostname. See here for more information about CAA records.
TLSA  Validates certificates used for DNS-based Authentication of Named Entities (DANE). Additional details about TLSA records can be found here.
SSHFP  Specifies SSH fingerprints served by DNS. Refer to this resource for more information on SSHFP records.
SMIMEA  Secures SMIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) with certificates. More information about SMIMEA records can be found here.
SVCB Create a link to any service. Further details can be found here: SVCB DNS record.
HTTPS Create a link to a HTTP service. Further details can be found here: HTTPS DNS Record.

How to Define a SPF Record

SPF means "Sender Policy Framework", and can be used to avoid forging of sender's addresses in emails. It is not a record type of its own, but uses TXT records for this.

There should always be only one SPF policy record for a domain, while the SPF definition may contain several different rules, and can be split over multiple TXT records with different names, if needed.

There are many tools online available to help with creating a SPF record for a specific domain, e.g. this one.

For instance, your Joker.com-domain is "example.com", and you want to allow emails from Gmail, you have to create a DNS record of type "TXT" for your domain "example.com", and enter this line:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

In case you want to make use of a SPF record for a Joker.com domain, and want to make sure that emails from Joker.com will reach email addresses using your Joker.com domain, you need to add (include) this additional rule to your SPF policy:

include:_spf.joker.com

resulting in this SPF policy:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:_spf.joker.com ~all

You can create more than one TXT record to split the SPF policy rules, then the records should all start with v=spf1 to define one SPF policy and every record must have a different name, or in other words - for every unique name (including domain itself) only one record starting with v=spf1 is allowed:

Correct:
example.com  TXT "v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all"
spf1.example.com TXT "v=spf1 include:_spf.joker.com ~all"
Incorrect:
example.com TXT "v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all"
example.com TXT "v=spf1 include:_spf.joker.com ~all"

DNS PTR Records

A DNS pointer record (PTR for short) provides the domain name associated with an IP address.

A DNS PTR record is exactly the opposite of the A-record, which provides the IP address associated with a domain name.

DNS PTR records are used in reverse DNS lookups. When a user attempts to reach a domain name in their browser, a DNS lookup occurs, matching the domain name to the IP address.

A reverse DNS lookup is the opposite of this - it searches for a domain name with the given IP address.

This also means that PTR records can not be defined using the name servers of the domain, but have to be requested at the provider of the IP address, in case the provider supports this.

DNS

Joker.com Name Service: Adding DNS Records

If you're using the free joker.com nameservice, you have the freedom to configure your DNS zone as you like by adding various records. All supported types of records are listed here.

 

How to add a new DNS record

We took the A record as an example, but any other record type can be added in the same way.

1. Switch to our Nameservers

Check this article on how to do this. 

 
2. Once you've switched, the DNS button will become active (blue) on your dashboard next to the domain name. Click it:

 
3. In the DNS configuration section, choose a record type you want to add, let's take an A-record as example:

 
4. Add a subdomain (optionally) and target IP address, click "Add":

 
5. Scroll down to view the newly added record, check its correctness, and click the "Save changes" button:

 
6. If you want to apply the same records to your other domains, you can click "Copy records to another domain":

 
7. Choose the type of record you want to propagate or select all of them. Let's use our newly added A-record for example:

 
8. Type the domains to which you want to add the record, separated by commas, and click "Proceed":

Now, all the domains listed will point to the same IP address we specified in our A record.

Once the changes have been applied, you'll receive a confirmation email.

 

Adding SPF And DKIM Records

Adding SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) records to your domain's DNS settings helps improve email deliverability and prevents your emails from being marked as spam or forged by malicious parties.

Here's a guide on how to add SPF and DKIM records:

SPF Record

SPF allows you to specify which servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. To create an SPF record, follow these steps:

1. In the DNS configuration section, create a new TXT record.

 
2. In the "Content" field, enter your SPF policy.

If you are using a third-party email service like Google Workspace, they will provide you with the appropriate include value. The SPF policy typically looks like this:

 
3. Save the changes.

DKIM Record

DKIM allows the receiver to check that an email that claimed to have come from a specific domain was indeed authorized by the owner of that domain.

1. In DNS management section, create a new TXT record:
 
2. In the "Content" field, you'll need to add your DKIM public key

The DKIM key is usually provided by your email service provider (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, etc.). The DKIM record should look something like this:

 
3. Save the changes.

Important: wait for DNS Propagation. After adding the SPF and DKIM records, it may take up to 48 hours for the changes to propagate across the internet. Once the records have propagated, the SPF and DKIM authentication should be active for your domain's email.

DNS

URL Forwarding and E-mail Forwarding

Joker.com offers a service that allows you to direct all web requests (HTTP) for a domain or subdomain registered with Joker.com to a different externally hosted domain. For example, you can point the web traffic of your domain to the webspace provided by your Internet service provider.

This feature lets you access your domain: http://www.your-domain.com while the actual content is hosted at:  http://www.your-internet-service-provider.com/your Account

By default, the redirection is of the type 'HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently'. This can be changed in the options of the DNS editor ("Type of redirection").

'TLS' can also be activated in the options - this enables encrypted access via https to your forwarding. A suitable SSL certificate is then automatically generated the first time it is called up, which takes a few seconds.

You have the option to use a standard redirection or a "frame-based" redirection that keeps the original domain name visible in your browser's location bar.

Moreover, you can customize your URL forwards with your own special title, meta, or HTTP header tags.

Please note: only HTTP(S) requests can be forwarded using URL Forwarding

To configure your URL forwarding, follow these steps:

1. Switch to our Nameservers

Check this article on how to do this. 

2. Once you've switched, the DNS button will become active (blue) on your dashboard next to the domain name. Click it:

3. In the DNS configuration section, choose URL Forward as record type:

4. Let's create a URL forwarding for a subdomain "www..." for our domain. Click "add":
5. Scroll down to view the newly added record, check its correctness, and click the "Save changes" button:

You are done!

Email Forwarding

Email Forwarding is a service provided by Joker.com that enables you to create email addresses for a domain and forward incoming emails for those addresses to an external mail account.

This means you can have email addresses such as:

These addresses can be forwarded to your email account at your ISP or email provider, such as Gmail, Yahoo, or others.

Please note the following:

It is also possible to create catch-all addresses. By entering '*' instead of 'your_name' as the Email Address:

Any emails that do not match any other address you created will be directed to the '*' entry.

Additionally:

Regarding the number of email addresses per domain, we do not impose strict limits. Instead, we follow a fair-use policy. As long as there are no significant system impacts caused by an excessive number of emails sent or addresses created, there will be no restrictions.

Excessive in this context refers to significantly above average, and system impact refers to significant interference with the general system and/or other users.

The current limits are as follows:

Important: When creating a new email address or changing the target address, you need to activate it by responding to the activation email sent to the Target Email Address. Simply click on the link provided within the email.

What about SPAM?
All email forwards are automatically scanned for SPAM. Emails classified as spam or malware will be blocked.
DNS

Dynamic DNS (DynDNS)

Dynamic DNS (DynDNS) is a system that allows the domain name data held in a nameserver to be updated in real-time. The most common use for this is in allowing an Internet domain name to be assigned to a computer with a varying (dynamic) IP address.
This makes it possible for other sites on the Internet to establish connections to the computer without needing to track the IP address themselves. A common use for it is running server software on a computer that has a dynamic IP address, as usually happens with many consumer Internet service providers.

To use Dynamic DNS records with Joker.com, you have to create at least one Dynamic DNS record.
Additionally, the Dynamic DNS feature has to be activated.

This can be done by visiting DNS configuration section by clicking the "DNS" button next to your domain on your dashboard.

After this, you have to configure your (DSL-) router or your Dynamic DNS software on your computer. You should select "dyndns2" as protocol in your router or dyndns-client.

Currently, there is a limit of 20 records per domain. The nameserver records have a TTL (time to live - defines the latency before changes become visible) of 60 seconds.

Please note: The "username" and "password" referred to in this section are not identical to your standard Joker.com credentials. Instead, when you create your DynDNS entry, you will be provided with special credentials which are only valid for those entries with the specific domain.

Examples

Hardware Devices / Routers

A hardware device like a DSL router often is able to handle Dynamic DNS itself. As an example, this is the corresponding section of a Fritz!Box DSL router:

Update-URL: https://svc.joker.com/nic/update?username=<username>&password=<pass>&myip=<ipaddr>&hostname=<domain>
Domain name: <enter your Joker.com Dynamic DNS record (Domain name) here>
Username: <enter the username you got at Joker.com's DNS management for this domain>
Password: <enter the password you got at Joker.com's DNS management for this domain>
Note: SSL is not supported by all devices, especially olders ones need to use: http://svc.joker.com/nic/update?...

Please note: The parameter 'myip' is optional; if not provided, the originating IP address is used automatically.

Sample:

Update-URL: https://svc.joker.com/nic/update?username=<username>&password=<pass>&myip=<ipaddr>&hostname=<domain>
Domain name: www.yourdomain.com
Username: 156ba6fa7f93bfd7
Password: 5bc123a7100ef6a2

Or using as direct URL:

Update-URL: https://svc.joker.com/nic/update?username=156ba6fa7f93bfd7&password=5bc123a7100ef6a2&hostname=www.yourdomain.com
To check your current IP address, please use this URL: 

https://svc.joker.com/nic/checkip

 
Some Dynamic DNS software clients do need this without additional text: 

https://svc.joker.com/nic/myip

https://ipv4.svc.joker.com/nic/myip Does always return an IPv4 address if available - empty otherwise

https://ipv6.svc.joker.com/nic/myip Does always return an IPv6 address if available - empty otherwise

Software Clients

 

Windows

After the installation - during which you might enter any data - please copy the following text as "ddclient.conf" into the directory where "ddclient" was installed. In the windows start menu you can also use the entry "Open ddclient.conf in notepad" by right-clicking on "Run as administrator".

Please replace the placeholders with your entries beforehand:

# ddclient.conf
#
daemon=5m
use=web
web=svc.joker.com/nic/checkip
server=svc.joker.com/nic/update?
protocol=dyndns2
login=USERNAME
password=PASSWORD
host=WWW.YOURDOMAIN.COM
ssl=yes

USERNAME = the DynDNS-"Username" in the DynDNS-section at Joker.com

PASSWORD = the DynDNS-"Password"

YOUR.DOMAIN.COM = Your desired hostname - which you should have previously created under "DynA" in the DynDNS section on Joker.com. When creating, there you may enter any IP like "192.168.0.1". You will later know whether your DynDNS client is working or not by checking if this IP changes to your dynamic one.

In this example above you would create the entry "www" under "DynA" for your domain "yourdomain.com".

After you have created the file ddclient.conf or copied it into the program directory, call the entry "start ddclient console" in the Windows start menu. A window will open and after a short time, you should see messages indicating a successful IP change. Otherwise, please check whether your details (username, password, host or domain name) are correct, and also whether the URL for determining your own IP works for you in the browser (".../checkip/").

If this test was successful, you can close the window and then call "start ddclient service" in the start menu with administrator rights (right mouse button, "run as administrator").
This will run ddclient in the background.

Another common Windows client is the "DynDNS Updater" from Kana Solution. A suitable profile can be downloaded here: kana_joker.profile

 

Linux

 

Free DynDNS-client für Linux: ddclient - ddclient.sf.net

Hints for ddclient:

  • please use the config file ddclient.conf for the windows version provided above, it works the same
  • protocol is also "dyndns2"
  • please check on the Linux commandline, that you have access to the DynDNS service:
    • wget https://svc.joker.com/nic/checkip


 

Apple MacOS

Free DynDNS-Client for MacOS: ddclient (s. Windows & Linux) Installation preferably via HomeBrew:

  • open Mac Terminal App
ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)" < /dev/null 2> /dev/null
brew install ddclient

A paid dynamic DNS client for MacOS with native Joker.com support is "IP Monitor" from Appquarter.com

It is also available from the Mac Appstore.

DNS

DNSSEC

DNSSEC is the abbreviation for 'Domain Name System Security Extensions'. It is a set of extensions to the domain name system (DNS), basically to allow clients to verify the authenticity and integrity of DNS records.

For a domain to make use of DNSSEC, the following is needed: 

 You may have a look at Wikipedia or this short tutorial as starters for reading more about these topics.

 

DNSSEC Support at Joker.com

Joker.com enables you to activate and configure DNSSEC for nearly all of your domains - most domain types (TLDs) do support DNSSEC. The only exceptions at Joker.com currently are .ws and .cn.

Please note: Joker.com supports DNSSEC with standard Joker.com name servers as well as with domains that use external name servers

To find out if your domain is working properly with DNSSEC, you may use the DNSSEC Analyzer.

 Resellers will find similar commands to operate DNSSEC using DMAPI and RPanel.

How To use DNSSEC with a Joker.com Domain and a DNS Hosting Provider

This is about:

To make this work, the domain has to be "linked" to the external name service:

1. Set up the DNS zone and records at the DNS hosting provider

Each DNS hosting provider has its own web interface and system for adding records. Here you have to create the zone records you need, like A records to add IPv4 addresses to a hostname.

2. Still at the DNS hosting provider

sign the domain with DNSSEC. This of course requires, that your DNS provider support DNSSEC.

The end result is that you have a signed domain with a DS record. You will need this information (DS record) later at Joker.com.

3. At Joker.com

Change the name servers for the domain to point to the name servers of the DNS hosting provider.

It should look like this now:

change name servers

This change may take some time to propagate through the larger DNS infrastructure. Until the name server change has fully propagated, people may still see DNS records coming from the previous name servers.

At this point, you have a domain signed with DNSSEC at the DNS hosting provider, and you have changed the records at Joker.com to point to the name servers of the DNS hosting provider. 

Almost done!

If you now run your domain through the DNSSEC analyzer tool, you will still see a problem: "No DS records found"

This means, you still have to create a so-called Delegation Signer (DS) record at Joker.com.

4. Create DS record at Joker.com

change name servers

change name servers

5. Finally, verify that DNSSEC works

using a tool such as Verisign Labs’ DNSSEC Analyzer. It should show nice green check marks now - but please keep in mind, that your changes will take some time until they become active.

Having followed these steps, you have DNSSEC working on a domain registered with Joker.com, using name servers from an external name service provider.

Meanwhile, there is good news: You now also are able to use DNSSEC with the regular Joker.com name servers as well, free of charge! This of course is probably much simpler for you, since you do not have to maintain external name server records, and you can make use of DNSSEC fully integrated into Joker.com's web portal.

DNS

Let's Encrypt SSL Certificates

Support for Automating Let's Encrypt SSL Certificates

Joker.com offers a simple tool to automate the process of using Let's Encrypt certificates.

With this tool, you can easily request Let's Encrypt certificates without the need to expose your domain through an HTTP web server or make any special configurations to existing web services.

The method used to obtain the certificates is 'dns-01', where a special TXT record must be added to your domain. To use this method, your domain must be using the free Joker.com nameservice, which is the default option.

Setting a TXT record is a straightforward process:

The following explains the technical details - you may skip this and simply use the attached files which you find below. They do work with the commonly used tool dehydrated. Where to place these files, and how to configure your domains or host names, is documented in the file config.sh

For the use of the certbot, github-user dhull kindly provides another solution: 

This can easily be installed by "pip install certbot-dns-joker" - see the Github page above for details.

 

To set a TXT record, you may now do this using a single cURL request:

curl -X POST https://svc.joker.com/nic/replace -d \
'username=your-username&password=your-password&zone=your-domain.com&label=_acme-challenge&type=TXT&value=the-TXT-content-to-insert'

This will create a TXT record for "_acme-challenge" in zone "your-domain.com".
It responds with 200 and "OK: n# inserted, n# deleted" if everything went OK, and appropriate status and text if not.

Some additional notes regarding this:

Attached files: hook.sh config.sh

DNS

Specific ccTLDs: Nameservers

.DE-Domains

In case you want to use your own/external name servers for your .DE-domains instead of the standard name servers from Joker.com, you have to make sure that these name servers are compliant with the requirements set by the DENIC. 

Requests to register or update .de domains are handled by a robot doing the following checks on the registry side:

Name Server: SOA Records

 
SOA stands for "Start of Authority". 
An SOA record is the part of a DNS zone containing the email of the responsible person of the zone, and various synchronization parameters used by the different name servers of the zone.
Requests to register or update .DE domains must contain SOA values in the following ranges:
 
SOA-Record Value
serial recommended format YYYYMMDDnn
refresh [10000 ... 86400]
retry [1800 ... 28800]
expire [604800 ... 3600000]

ttl 

 [180 ... 345600]

If you are not sure, if your nameservers are compliant with DENIC requirements, or get an error related to nameservice, please check your nameservers at https://nast.denic.de/

.DK-Domains

The process of changing the nameserver for .dk domains is specifically regulated by DK Hostmaster. To modify the nameserver associated with a .dk domain, it is mandatory to go through DK Hostmaster's designated platform at:

https://self-service.dk-hostmaster.dk/domain/change_name_server

When you navigate to the aforementioned website, you will find a user-friendly interface designed to assist domain owners in updating their nameserver information. This process ensures that only authorized individuals with the appropriate access can make modifications to the nameservers associated with .dk domains. By centralizing this function through DK Hostmaster, they maintain control and oversight over the nameserver settings for all .dk domains, helping to ensure the security, stability, and integrity of the Danish domain space.


.IT-Domains

Similar to .de domains, .it domain registry has specific requirements for nameservers.

It is crucial to verify the compliance of your custom nameservers before registering an .it domain. If your nameservers do not meet the registry requirements, the domain will be deleted within 30 days. To check the compliance of your nameservers, you can use the following link:

 https://www.nic.it/en/manage-your-it/dns-check.


Transfers

This section provides instructions on Inter-Registrar Transfers, Internal Transfers, and Change of Registrant (Owner-Change) Procedures.

Transfers

Transferring Domains to Joker.com

According to ICANN regulations, when transferring domains between registrars, the Gaining Registrar (Joker.com) must initiate the process. To begin, Joker.com needs to obtain express authorization from either the Registered Name Holder or the Administrative Contact. This authorization is fulfilled by possessing the AUTH-ID. You can find more information about the transfer policy here: https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/transfer-policy-2016-06-01-en

The transfer policies and rules may vary from registry to registry, for more information and examples please also refer to our Specific ccTLDs: Transfers article.

Prepare for the Transfer

Note: Generally, the domain must be registered for at least 60 days before a transfer is possible.

Initiate the Transfer

1. Log in, and click the "Transfer a Domain to Joker.com" button:

 
2. Enter the domain name you want to transfer (without "www."), click "Transfer Domain"

 
3. Enter the AUTH-ID (epp-code) obtained from your current Registrar, click "Proceed":

 
4. Add the contacts:

You can either create new contacts, or use already existing. See also:

What are Domain Contacts?

Creating and Modifying Contacts

Please note: due to GDPR regulations and technical reasons, we cannot automatically transfer your existing domain contact data.

 
5. Choose your nameservice:

Tip: If you are currently using the name service of the initial registrar, it is best to choose our equivalent, the free Joker.com name service. Our system will attempt to read and accept your current name server entries. You can add and confirm them before starting the transfer: click on "edit DNS records" on the next page.

You may also consider using our free DNSSEC option for secure name services.

 
6. Add privacy service, if desired:

More info about our Privacy Service.

 
7. Enter your payment details, and click "Proceed":

 

Processing the Transfer

Once we have received the AUTH-ID and other required information, we will charge you for the transfer. If the attempt is successful, we will forward the transfer request to the registry. The registry will then notify your current (old) registrar.

Your current (initial) registrar may have their own verification procedures. They might ask you, the owner, and/or the admin contact to verify the transfer via email or other means. Be cautious with emails from your old registrar, as some may be confusing or appear as spam. It's important to respond appropriately to these emails, as failure to do so could result in a denied transfer.

 

Finishing the Transfer

After a maximum of 5 days, we will receive a notification from the registry regarding the success or failure of the transfer. We will inform you immediately once we receive this notification. If the transfer is successful, you can start using the domain right away.

However, please note that after a successful transfer, the domain will be locked for 60 days to prevent another transfer. This is part of the transfer policy.

If you encounter any issues during the transfer, please don't hesitate to contact us. Choose the topic 'transfer - move the domain to Joker.com,' or email us at transfer@joker.com

 

Cost of Domain Transfers

When you transfer a domain from another registrar to Joker.com, an additional one-year term will be added to the domain. You will only be charged for this one-year renewal if the transfer is successful, and there won't be any additional transfer costs.

For most gTLDs (generic top-level domains), this extra year of registration will be added to your current domain term. This means you won't lose any remaining time from your current registration. However, there are exceptions, which are explained below.

Here's an example: 

Let's say your domain has 7 months left until it expires when you transfer it to us. If the transfer is successful, your domain will expire in 1 year + 7 months, which equals 19 months.

Please note that the fee for the transfer is non-refundable if the transfer fails due to a reason not caused by Joker.com.

Exceptions:

If you transfer your .eu, .de, or .nl  domain to Joker.com, the registration period will automatically be extended to 12 months from the date the transfer is completed. After the transfer, the expiration date of your domain will be extended by one year from the transfer completion date, not from the current expiration date. In other words, if you have 3 months left on your domain before the transfer, you will have 1 year left after the transfer, not 1 year and 3 months.

For .at domains, there is no specific "expiry date" in the registry, and explicit renewal after the transfer is not possible. Instead, the registration of .at domains will be extended for an additional year starting from the creation date.

 

Typical Reasons Why Transfer Fails

If you receive a message stating, "The current status of '<domain name>' didn't allow this operation (transfer)," it means that the attempt to transfer the domain to Joker.com has failed. There are several reasons why a transfer request may fail, according to ICANN policies:

  • The domain is less than 60 days old since its initial registration.
  • There is a pending domain dispute, such as UDRP or WIPO.
  • The current owner/holder of the domain has rejected the transfer.
  • There was a problem with your payment. Please review the receipt you received from Joker.com.
  • You have already received the final domain renewal notice from your current/old registrar, and you did not renew it with them. To avoid this issue, make sure to transfer the domain in a timely manner. Transferring to Joker.com does not cause any loss in the registration period. However, if the domain's expiration date is too close, the transfer may be rejected.

Additionally, it is possible that the domain is still locked at your current registrar. In such cases, you need to unlock the domain at your current registrar before initiating the transfer.

 

Domain Expiration and Transfers

If your domain transfer was initiated before the expiration date, you can still complete the transfer. Most domain registrars allow the transfer to proceed even if the domain has expired before the transfer is completed.

However, it's worth noting that some registrars manually deny transfers after the domain has expired. If this concerns you, it's advisable to contact your previous domain registrar and inquire if they will still permit the transfer to proceed since it was initiated before the domain expired.

If you have any doubts, it's recommended to renew the domain before initiating the transfer. Our support team or transfer@joker.com are always available to assist you.

Please keep in mind that a domain transfer doesn't commence immediately after submitting a transfer order to us. The transfer starts once it has been authorized. You will receive an email titled "Transfer Initiated" from us when this occurs.

Transfers

Bulk Transfer

You can transfer to us up to 100 domains at once by using our bulk transfer feature. Here's how it works:

1. Go to the Transfer section and click on "Bulk Transfer":

2. Enter the domain names and AUTH-IDs, separated by commas, with one domain per line:

3. Double-check the accuracy of the entered data:

4. Create the owner contact for the domains in the list:

5. Choose the nameservers:

6. You're done!

Please keep in mind the following:

Transfers

Internal Transfer

Moving Domains to Another User

Transfer from one Joker.com account to another is just like an inbound transfer, described here

To summarize the procedure, let's say Alice is the current domain creator (owner of the account where the domain belongs), and Bob is the desired new creator (another Joker.com account).

Alice needs to perform the following steps:

Bob should initiate a domain transfer at Joker.com by doing the following:

What happens next?

Reseller Feature: Moving Domains Between Your Own Accounts

If you have multiple Reseller accounts at Joker.com and want to transfer domains between them, you can do so by granting an Assignment (Creator) role. Detailed instructions on how to perform this action can be found by clicking HERE.

 

In case you have lost the login credentials for one of your Joker.com accounts and are unable to retrieve your domains, please follow these instructions.

Transfers

Change of Registrant Procedure

Change of Owner (COR)

When you register a domain with Joker.com, you become the "owner" of that domain. This means the domain is added to your domain portfolio, and you always maintain full control over it.

Your role as the Joker.com "account holder" also designates you as the "Designated Agent" (DA) of the domain since December 1, 2016. This change was introduced in the ICANN Change of Registrant policy (COR).

The responsibilities of a DA are governed by Joker.com's Terms & Conditions, specifically outlined in sections §19-2, §19-4, §10-2, §10-7, and §10-8.

The definition of a DA is further explained in Addendum 1 of the T&C.

There is also a contact called the "registrant" who represents the official identity of the domain owner according to ICANN and/or Registry requirements. More information about the domain registrant can be found here.

Just like any registrant data, you can edit or maintain the registrant information using Joker.com's Domain Management section.

Since December 1, 2016, changing the registrant (COR or owner change) of a generic top-level domain requires an extended procedure mandated by ICANN:

Please note:

To update the current Whois information in a regular way, or change the registrant, please:

1. Go to Domain Management, and click "edit" in the "Domain Owner" section:

 
2. Enter the new registrant's data, and click "Proceed":

 
3. Apply the changes by clicking the link in the confirmation email you received from us.

How to Claim Domain Ownership

There are situations that may require you to claim ownership of your domain, such as losing your login credentials for the account of DA or if your domain is being managed by someone else whom you have lost contact with.

In such a scenario, the only option left is to transfer your domain to a new active account. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your account or create a new one if necessary
2. Go to the "Domains" menu and select "Change Ownership or Permissions of a Domain":

 
3. Enter your domain and click "Proceed":

Depending on the Whois data and the current owner of the domain, you may be asked to submit additional documents. Along with the provided form for this procedure, please prepare the following documents:

Transfers

Transferring Domains Away From Joker.com

To transfer a domain away from Joker.com to another registrar, follow these steps:

1. Go to your dashboard and click "Modify" next to your domain name:

2. Click on "remove domain protection" to disable it:

3. Click on "Request AUTH-ID":

4. Initiate the transfer at the gaining (new) Registrar.

The transfer process may vary depending on the registrar you choose.

Please note:

Important: If the domain is unprotected (unlocked), any incoming transfer request will be acknowledged if you don't respond to explicitly disagree. Therefore, it is highly recommended to keep your domains protected.

I Can't Request AUTH-ID or Unlock the Domain. Why?

The most common reason for this issue is a lack of permissions. It is likely that your account only has an Admin role for the domain, which does not allow you to transfer the domain. You can verify this by checking the Domain Management section:

If this is indeed the case, please contact the domain owner (creator) to coordinate the transfer. More information about roles can be found here.

Another possible reason for being unable to unlock the domain is if it is currently suspended:

There are several common causes for domain suspension:

If you encounter any issues during the transfer, please don't hesitate to contact us at transfer@joker.com

Transfers

UDRP Procedures

The UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy) is a policy that applies to all ICANN domains and is also adopted by many other domain types (ccTLDs). You can find detailed explanations on Wikipedia as well.

When registering a domain, you must accept this policy in order to purchase a domain. This policy is included in our Terms & Conditions, specifically in section 11.

The UDRP process handles complaints related to domain ownership. If the arbitrator decides that a domain should be transferred to the complainant, it is the complainant's responsibility to initiate the transfer and become the new owner.

If you, as the complainant, have been awarded the domain after a UDRP decision, please follow these steps to gain access to the domain:

Please note: During the UDRP procedure, the domain will be blocked from changes (status 'freeze'). After the execution of the UDRP decision, the domain will be set to normal status again.

Transfers

Specific ccTLDs: Transfers

Transfer of the .UK Domains

Transferring Your .UK Domain to Joker.com

To transfer a .UK domain, you need to follow these steps:

  1. Go to our regular transfer page and place an order for the .UK domain transfer. Unlike other domains, you don't need to enter an AUTH-ID for .UK domains.

  2. Contact your current registrar and initiate a transfer request. Request them to release the domain name to the new TAG of our registrar, which is JOKER.

  3. Once your transfer request is initiated, we will wait for Nominet (the .UK registry) to notify us that the domain has been released by your current registrar.

  4. Once Nominet confirms the domain release, we will add the domain to your Joker.com account.

If you encounter any difficulties transferring your domain with your current registrar, you have the option to transfer it directly with Nominet.

Transferring Your .UK Domain Away From Joker.com

To transfer a .UK domain to a different registrar, follow these simple steps:

  1. Sign in to your Joker.com account and navigate to the dashboard.
  2. Locate the domain name you want to transfer and click on "Modify" icon.
  3. Within the domain management section, you'll find the option "Transfer Domain" on the right-hand side.
  4. Click on "Remove domain protection."
  5. Click on "Change Registrar Tag."
  6. Choose the identifier (TAG) of your new registrar.

Please keep in mind the following points:

  • Prior to initiating the transfer, inform your new registrar as some registrars may require activation or unlocking of incoming transfers.
  • Your new registrar will provide you with the correct registrar identifier (TAG).

Other ccTLDs Which Don't Require AUTH-ID for Transfer-In

Similar to .UK domains, there are a few more ccTLDs that do not require an AUTH-ID for the transfer. These include .es and .dk.

The transfer process for these TLDs is dependent on the approval of a Form of Authorization (FOA) by the domain owner. When initiating the transfer for any of these TLDs at Joker.com, simply enter "none" in the AUTH-ID field.


Trade - Owner Change for Specific ccTLDs

.FI Trade

A trade for a .FI domain involves a two-step process. When you update the Owner data for a .FI domain, the following takes place:

  1. A new COFI-XXXXXX handle is created with the new registrant's data.
  2. The previous owner receives an email from Traficom containing a Holder Transfer Key for Owner Change:
  3. The domain Creator (Designated Agent) receives an email from Joker:
  4. You need to click on the link provided in the email and submit the Holder Transfer Key:
  5. Once the Holder Transfer Key is submitted, the Owner Change is completed, and the new handle appears in the registry.

Please note that if you fail to submit the Auth-code within 32 days after the Owner Change was initiated, the owner change will be automatically canceled.

.BE Trade

Owner-Data-Change of a .BE domain is a trade process, which can only be initiated manually directly at the Registry (BENIC) for a fee of 9.75 Euro.

If you decide to initiate an Owner Change for a .BE Domain, please follow these steps:

  1. Create a new Owner Contact (Handle) with the new owner's data.

  2. Send your request for Owner Change via email to ownerchange@joker.com.

  3. We will send you a Payment Link or charge your Payment account with the fee of 9.75 Euro.

  4. We will request a new AUTH-ID for the domain, which will be sent directly to the domain owner via email.

  5. If you are not the domain owner, you need to ask the Owner of the domain to forward us the email with the new AUTH-ID and send us the new Owner Contact Handle for the trade process, if you haven't done so already.

  6. We will initiate your TRADE request with BENIC.

  7. The new Owner will appear in the Whois shortly.

.ES Trade

The change of registrant for .es domains must be performed directly at the Registry. For this you will need to do the following:

  1. Check your domain info here: https://nic.es/sgnd/dominio/publicDetalleDominio.action
    And write down the "Identifier" of the registrant.
  2. Go to https://www.nic.es/sgnd/contacto/passRecoverInicializar.action?tContacto.nic
    and using the Identifier from step 1, request a password. It will be sent to the current owner's email.
  3. Log in with Identifier and password here: https://www.nic.es/sgnd/login.action
  4. Make the necessary changes, and upload the required documents. Document check usually takes 24-48 hours.

.DK Trade

Changing the registrant of a .dk domain is only possible at the Hostmaster-DK Self Service.

For more information please refer to https://punktum.dk/en/faq

Transferring a .DK Domain to Joker.com

The Danish registry has implemented two domain models:

Currently, our system only supports the "Registrant Management" model. Therefore, before initiating the transfer of your .dk domain to us, ensure that your domain is configured under the "Registrant Management" model. To make this adjustment, please use the Hostmaster-DK Self Service.

Transferring an .FR Domain to Joker.com

Please note that AFNIC, the registry of .FR domains, does not allow simultaneous domain transfers and Change of Registrant. Therefore, when initiating a transfer of a .FR domain to Joker.com, please ensure that the owner data you provide is identical to the current owner data.

Please note: we can not automatically transfer your existing domain contact data due to GDPR regulations and technical limitations.

AUTH-INFO 2 for .DE Domains

If the domain holder is unable to request a regular AuthInfo from DENIC through their current provider, for example, if the provider no longer exists or cannot be reached, they can directly request a provider change password (AuthInfo2) from DENIC.

In such cases, the domain holder should contact the future domain administrator, such as transfer@joker.com.

The provider initiates the generation of an AuthInfo directly from DENIC. DENIC then sends the generated AuthInfo to the domain holder via registered regular mail (letter in paper form).

The letter will be addressed to the recorded address in the Whois database. If the domain holder is not located in Germany, the letter will be addressed to the Admin-Contact in Germany to ensure prompt and secure delivery.

Simultaneously, DENIC stores the generated AuthInfo as a hash in its database.

The domain holder should share the AuthInfo with the future domain administrator, who will then initiate the provider change by submitting the AuthInfo to DENIC.

If you need to request an AuthInfo2, please send an email to transfer@joker.com.

Responsibilities and Domain Abuse

A summary of main responsibilities, useful tips, and checklists.

Responsibilities and Domain Abuse

Responsibilities Of Joker.com Customer

As a valued customer, we want to ensure that you have a seamless experience while using and managing your domain. To help you with that, we'd like to outline the key responsibilities expected from our customers:

Secure Login Credentials: When creating your Joker.com account, please choose strong login credentials. Your password should be robust, and make sure the associated email is one you have secure access to.

Activate 2FA for Extra Security: We highly recommend enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security to your account.

Keep Account Credentials Safe: It is your responsibility to safeguard your account credentials and avoid sharing them with any third parties.

Provide Accurate Registrant Data: When registering a domain, ensure that you provide real and valid data about the registrant. Incorrect information could lead to complications or even domain suspension in the future.

Regularly Check Whois Data: It's important to monitor your Whois data regularly and ensure it is accurate and up-to-date.

Timely Domain Renewals: You are responsible for renewing your domain on time or maintaining sufficient funds for auto-renewal.

Avoid Waiting Until the Last Minute: We strongly advise against waiting until the last possible day to renew your domain or restore it from Redemption Grace Period (RGP). Different registries have varying deletion times, and we cannot guarantee the availability of your domain when you believe it can still be restored.

Domain Modifications: Should you need to make any domain modifications such as changing nameservers or configuring DNS zones, the responsibility lies with you. For assistance, please refer to our FAQ section.

Ensure Good Faith Usage: Use your domain in good faith, and avoid engaging in illegal activities or infringing on third-party rights. Failure to comply may lead to domain suspension, in some cases - immediately.

Pay Attention to Notifications: Keep an eye on the notifications sent from Joker.com. They may contain important notices or require specific actions. Failure to respond may result in your domain stop working.

Tip: We strongly advise not using an email associated with your domain name for login purposes. If you miss the renewal and your domain stops working, you won't be able to recover your password. Losing your credentials entirely would require moving your domain to a new account and undergoing a verification procedure that takes at least 5 days.

For more detailed information, you can refer to our Terms & Conditions and ICANN resources.

We value your partnership and hope these guidelines will help you make the most of our services. If you have any questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team.

Responsibilities and Domain Abuse

How to Open a Support Ticket: A Checklist

Before reaching out for support, consider checking our FAQ, as you might find a quick solution to your issue without waiting for our response.

However, if you encounter difficulties managing your domain name and require our assistance, follow this checklist to expedite the support process:

By following this checklist, you'll help our support team assist you more effectively and speed up the resolution process for your domain name management issues.

Responsibilities and Domain Abuse

Reporting Domain Name Abuse

Reporting domain name abuse is important to help maintain a safe and secure online environment. Here are some cases in which you should consider reporting domain name abuse related to the domains registered at Joker.com:

 

How to Report Domain Abuse Case: Checklist

Reported abuse cases are serious accusations, and we want to ensure a proper investigation process and swift action from our side. To help us effectively handle abuse reports, please follow the recommendations below:

Phishing
  • Clearly describe the issue you encountered.
  • Provide us with the direct URL to the phishing source.
  • Include evidence, such as references to legitimate websites and screenshots.
Illegal Content
  • Describe the issue in detail.
  • Share the direct URL to the illegal materials.
Trademark Infringement
  • Provide formal description of the subject of the dispute.
  • Provide proof of trademark registration.
  • If you are acting on behalf of the trademark owner, include an Authorization Letter (LOA/POA).
  • Provide evidence of infringement: direct URL(s) and/or screenshots
  • Clearly specify your request related to the issue.

 

If you are reporting trademark infringement and wish to transfer the domain to you, you'll need to initiate an arbitration process at WIPO. WIPO's decision will be binding for us and ensure a quick transfer of the domain in question to you.

 

For copyright infringement and content-related complaints, it's also advisable to forward them to the respective hosting provider. Joker.com is solely a domain name registrar and does not have direct or indirect access to website content. Contacting the hosting provider directly will expedite the removal of infringing content.
Spam
  • Describe the spam issue thoroughly.
  • Specify the domain name registered with Joker.com that is involved in spam-sending.
  • Attach a copy of the spam email and provide email headers.
Fraud and Scams
  • Clearly describe the fraud or scam issue you encountered.
  • Provide evidence, such as references to official webshops and screenshots.

In some cases, if we found no evidence of obviously illegal activities, such as phishing or distribution of illegal drugs, or child sexual abuse material (CSAM), we may not have the authority to take immediate action. As a domain registrar, we cannot determine the legal status of the domain owner's activities. If you encounter such situations, we strongly advise you to seek legal assistance and report the case. Once we receive an authoritative decision, we will take the necessary action accordingly.

While we strive to contribute to maintaining a safe online environment, it's important to understand that our jurisdiction as a domain registrar is limited.

How Joker.com Handles Domain Complaints


Complaints about domains can be reported to Joker.com in the following ways:


Each complaint will be acknowledged upon receipt, and you will be given a unique ticket number - please refer to it if you have any requests.

Each complaint will be reviewed individually and we will endeavor to resolve it within 24h. A response is usually given within 3 working days.

The processing of domain complaints hinges primarily on German legislation and Joker.com's Terms and Conditions. Additionally, the guidelines specific to the respective domain type (country code or global domain) play a secondary role.