Understanding Your Squarespace Domain Registrar
When you buy a domain through Squarespace, they handle all the registration paperwork behind the scenes. You don't get to pick which registrar manages your domain, but knowing who's actually responsible can be useful for troubleshooting or transfers.
TL;DR:
- Squarespace handles all domain queries, even when other registrars manage the backend
- Your domain might be registered through Squarespace Domains LLC, Tucows, or Key-Systems
- Use ICANN's lookup tool to find your specific registrar of record
- For day-to-day management, you won't need to know these details
Who Manages Your Domain Behind the Scenes
Squarespace keeps things simple by acting as your main point of contact for domain issues. But different companies actually handle the registration process:
- Squarespace Domains LLC or Squarespace Domains II LLC
- Tucows (including EPAG)
- Key-Systems (including Key-Systems GmbH and Instra)
These are called "registrars of record" and they're the ones officially recording your domain details with the global domain system.
How to Find Your Registrar of Record
Most of the time, you won't need this information. But if you do, here's how to find it:
- Visit ICANN's Lookup Tool – Go to the ICANN registration data lookup tool
- Search Your Domain – Type in your domain name and hit search
- Check the Results – Look for the "Registrar" or "Registrar Information" section
- Use IANA ID if Needed – If you only see a number, check IANA's Registrar IDs resource to match the ID to a company name
Quick tip: Bookmark both the ICANN and IANA pages if you need to check registrar details regularly.
FAQs
Can I choose my registrar when buying a domain through Squarespace?
No, Squarespace picks the registrar automatically based on their system.
What if I want to move my domain to a different registrar?
Contact Squarespace support. They'll guide you through the transfer process if you want to move to a registrar outside their network.
Do most people change their Squarespace registrars?
Most users stick with the Squarespace system since it handles everything they need without extra complexity.
Jargon Buster
- Registrar of Record – The company that officially records your domain registration details
- TLDs (Top-Level Domains) – The ending part of a domain name like .com or .net
- ICANN – The organisation that oversees the global domain name system
- IANA ID – A unique number assigned to each registrar by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
Wrap-up
You rarely need to know which registrar manages your domain registration. Squarespace handles the admin side so you can focus on building your site. If you do need registrar details for transfers or troubleshooting, the ICANN lookup tool will give you the information quickly.
Ready to dive deeper into Squarespace? Check out our comprehensive courses at Pixelhaze Academy.