Registration of a domain name is the formal and official recording of a domain name along with its authorized contacts and DNS server information. Through registration, the registrant becomes the de-facto "owner" of the name, with full rights and authority concerning its uses so long as all obligations, such as registration and renewal fees, are met.

The Internet domain name system (DNS) consists of a directory, organized hierarchically, of all the domain names and their corresponding computers registered to particular companies and persons. When you register a domain name, it will be associated with the computer on the Internet you designate during the period the registration is in effect. From that computer, you can create a website which will be accessible to Internet users around the world. When a domain is registered with the appropriate registry, that domain is assigned and becomes no longer available for anyone else to use. Typically, there are registration and renewal fees (local registry fees) associated with the right to use a domain. However, there are some TLDs that are provided at no charge.

Domain names can be registered through many different companies (known as "registrars") that compete with one another (a listing of these companies can be found on www.networksolutions.com website).

The registrar you choose will ask you to provide various contact and technical information that makes up the registration. The registrar will then keep records of the contact information and submit the technical information to a central directory known as the "registry." This registry provides other computers on the Internet the information necessary to send you e-mail or to find your web site. You will also be required to enter a registration contract with the registrar, which sets forth the terms under which your registration is accepted and will be maintained.