Registrar
A registrar has direct relationships with domain name registries and is authorized to sell domain names. In order to become a registrar one has to be accredited via an ICANN process[1] in which they meet both business and technical requirements.
Related Terms
- Accredited Registrar: A Registrar that has been certified as meeting certain minimal criteria to act as a Registrar for a specific TLD. This term is almost solely used when referring to Registrars that have been certified by ICANN. ccTLD Registries also accredit registrars, and though they may use differing terms, the concepts are largely the same.
- Sponsoring Registrar: The Registrar responsible for the submission of the domain name to the Registry.
- Registrar Operator: A term used to denote the entity providing the technical services to a Registrar in support of their registration services. Also referred to as a "Registrar Outsourcer" or "Registrar Provider"
ICANN and Registrar
In order to become a registrar one should get accreditation from ICANN. Then, all registrars must pay a $40 fee along with a variable fee. There is rather tough competition among registrars so that the end-users have plenty of choices available with advantageous related services. [2]
In addition, ICANN has also defined the "Policy on Transfer of Registrations between Registrars" which applied in the case domain name transfer. The process of domain name transfer refers to the actions required when changing the designated registrar of a specific domain name. [3]