Completing an AU domain Change of Registrant (CoR)

A Change of Registrant (CoR) is the process used to transfer the legal ownership of an .au domain name.

This happens whenever the ABN, ACN, RBN, or eligibility type listed against the domain changes.

Examples:

• Moving the domain to a new ABN/ACN.

• The current ABN/ACN was cancelled and needs replacing.

• Ownership of the business has changed hands.

How to Start

1. 1Log in to VIPcontrol.

2. 2Go to My Services → Domain Names.

3. 3Find your domain and click Manage.

4. 4Select Change of Registrant → Initiate Change of Registrant.

5. 5Choose the renewal term (minimum 1 year, up to 5 years) and pay the invoice.
   • The CoR cannot begin until payment is made.

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What Happens Next

The CoR runs in 3 steps, handled through online forms sent via email:

Step 1 - Current Registrant Email

• The current registrant contact will get an email.

• They must type in the new registrant’s email address.

• This can be the same email if the registrant is not changing person/company/contact details.

Step 2 - New Registrant Email

The new registrant (the email entered in Step 1) will get an email asking for:

1. 1Preferred Eligibility Method → Select Business or Individual.

2. 2Registrant Type and Number → e.g. ABN, ACN, or personal details.

3. 3The system will check the details (for businesses, it runs an ABN/ACN lookup).

4. 4Confirm the following on the form:
   • Eligibility Name (from the lookup result)
   • Eligibility ID (ABN/ACN)
   • Eligibility Type (Company, Sole Trader, Individual, etc.)

Trusts

• A Trust ABN cannot be the registrant.

• The Trustee (a company or person named in the Trust Deed) must be listed as the registrant.

• The Trust ABN can still be used for eligibility details.

• Our system will detect Trust ABNs and prompt for Trustee information.

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Step 3 - Document Upload (if applicable)

This step appears if the current ABN/ACN is cancelled or ineligible.

In this case, you’ll be required to upload one of the following:

1. 1Statutory Declaration
   • Written explanation of who the domain is being transferred to.
   • Must be signed and witnessed by a Justice of the Peace (JP) or other authorised witness (unless Digital Statutory Declaration).

2. 2Sales Agreement / Company Letter
   • On company letterhead.
   • Signed and dated before the previous ABN/ACN was cancelled.
   • Must clearly state the transfer of the domain (include the full domain name).

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Step 4 - Final Approval

• A final email is sent to the current registrant contact.

• They must click to approve the transfer.

• Once approved, the CoR is complete - you may need to allow some time for us to approve the CoR before the changes become visible.

Renewal and Expiry Explained

• A CoR requires you to renew the domain for at least 1 year, and up to 5 years.

• Any full years already on the domain will carry across.

Example:

• Your domain has 1 year 11 months remaining.

• You complete a CoR with a 1-year renewal.

• The new expiry will be 2 years (1 full year carried across + 1 year renewal).

If you chose a 3-year renewal, the new expiry would be 4 years.

Key Things to Remember

• A CoR is required whenever the legal entity changes, even if the business itself feels “the same.”

• Most CoRs for expired ABNs will require supporting documentation.

• The CoR will not complete until the final approval email is confirmed by the current registrant contact.

In Short:

1. 1Start the CoR in VIPcontrol → pay invoice (1-5 year renewal).

2. 2Current registrant email → enter new registrant email.

3. 3New registrant email → fill in ABN/ACN or personal details.

4. 4Upload supporting documents (if the old ABN/ACN is cancelled).

5. 5Current registrant email → final approval.

6. 6Domain licence is transferred and renewed.