How an LLC Can Protect Your Personal Information When Securing a Domain

Business owners growing an online presence for the first time may question whether their LLC has the right to own a domain name. Anyone who registers a domain must give out their name and address and that information is often publicized. This lack of privacy doesn’t sit right with most folks.

If you’re purchasing a domain for the first time, and faced with the issue of trying to keep your information off public databases you may be wondering if your LLC can register and own it—and the answer might change how you handle registering your domain name.

Domain name privacy

A domain name is the address of your website, and your business email accounts will proudly display that domain name in professional correspondence. To register a domain name, you’ll need to provide personal details like your name and address to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) through your registrar.

A domain registrar is the company that handles the registration of domain names (like Northwest!) and they’re responsible for collecting this information and passing it on to ICANN. Often this information is listed on WHOIS, a public database for domain ownership. Think of WHOIS like a telephone book or a business name search on Secretary of State websites.

Why domain ownership information is public

The information of who owns or registers a domain (this person is called a registrant) is often publicized to allow third parties to easily track down domain owners. This isn’t meant to open the door to malicious activity, but rather to prevent or put an end to it. In the case of illegal or fraudulent activity, law enforcement needs easy access to registrant information.

Similarly, if a domain name conflicts with an existing trademark or other form of intellectual property (IP), a registrar is required to house information on the registrant to allow the enforcement of the IP holder’s rights. Technically, owner information would need to be provided to law enforcement regardless of whether or not it’s made public. Listing this information publicly simply speeds up the process.

Northwest stands by its policy on Privacy by Default®. We work with the domain registrars we’ve partnered with to keep your information safe. Better yet, we’ll provide you with a domain of your choice, registered for a year with no upfront cost if you hire us to start your LLC.

Can I register a domain name with an LLC?

The short answer is: yes. An LLC (limited liability company) is a business entity meant to separate your personal life from your business activity and protect you from personal liability for said business activities. That means if your business is sued or falls into debt, your personal property and finances are not affected. LLCs can also hold or keep assets that belong to the business, like a domain name.

Listing your LLC as a domain’s registrant or owner is both legal and a smart way to ensure your privacy and retain the distinction between personal and professional assets.

Can I use a registered agent’s address for my domain?

While listing an LLC as the registrant of a domain is entirely legal, the address information needed causes a bit of a hiccup. ICANN requires the address information provided to be that of the registrant. A registered agent is simply an individual or business that accepts legal documents on behalf of a business entity, so their address is only meant to be listed on official state documents.

How do I keep my address private when registering a domain?

Here are some options if you’re trying to keep your private address off WHOIS records:

• Physical business address: You can list your business address when registering a domain name instead of your home address.
• Virtual office address: Buying a virtual office gives you access to a unique address if you don’t want to buy a physical business location.
• Request WHOIS privacy: When registering a domain, many registrars will provide the option to make a registrant’s information private to WHOIS.

Weigh your options carefully, and you can have your domain cake and eat it in privacy, too.

Getting a domain name in private

A branded domain name is crucial for businesses building an online presence. Building that presence, however, means potentially exposing your personal information on the internet. Using an LLC to register a domain is an easy way to protect yourself and keep your information off public databases.