What Is an IPS Tag and How Do You Change It?

What Is an IPS Tag?

An IPS tag is an identifier used within the .uk domain system to show which registrar manages a domain name.

Each participating registrar has a tag, usually written in capital letters. The tag connects the domain with the registrar authorised to manage it.

For most registrants, the IPS tag becomes important when moving a .co.uk or .uk domain to another provider. The complete process is explained in our guide to transferring a .co.uk or .uk domain name.

Why Is It Called an IPS Tag?

The term comes from the historical systems used to manage UK domain registrations.

Although customers may rarely see the tag during normal use, it remains central to registrar transfers in the .uk namespace.

It should be treated as an exact technical identifier rather than a descriptive company name.

Who Issues IPS Tags?

Nominet operates the official .uk domain registry and assigns tags to registrars and other authorised tag holders.

A registrar may trade under a brand name that differs from its tag.

Always obtain the receiving tag from the new registrar’s official transfer instructions.

What Does Changing the Tag Do?

Changing the IPS tag moves registrar responsibility for the domain.

It does not automatically change the registrant, copy a website, move email mailboxes or alter the domain’s content. These are separate services, as explained in Domain Names, Websites and Hosting: What Is the Difference?

If the nameservers remain unchanged, the website and email can normally continue working.

When Might You Need to Change It?

You may change the tag when moving to a registrar with better pricing, support, security or management tools.

A tag change is also commonly used when a .uk domain is sold and the buyer wants it moved into their chosen registrar account. This usually forms part of the wider process described in How Buying an Existing Domain Name Works.

It may form one step in a wider ownership transfer.

How to Find Your Current Tag

Your current registrar may show the tag in its account area or support documentation.

Domain registration records and Nominet services may also identify the registrar responsible for the domain.

If uncertain, ask the current provider rather than relying on an old note.

How to Find the New Tag

The receiving registrar should give you the exact IPS tag required for incoming transfers.

Copy it exactly, including any hyphens or other characters.

Do not assume that the tag matches the registrar’s public brand name.

How to Change an IPS Tag

Log in to the current registrar and locate the transfer-away or change-tag option.

Enter the new tag and confirm the request. Some registrars perform security checks or require support approval.

Then follow the receiving registrar’s instructions to add or claim the domain in the new account.

Can Nominet Change the Tag Directly?

In some circumstances, a registrant can use Nominet’s services to change the registrar directly.

This may be useful when the current provider is unavailable or the normal transfer process has failed.

Identity checks and a fee may apply, so review the current Nominet process before proceeding.

Will Changing the Tag Cause Downtime?

The tag itself does not direct website traffic. DNS and nameservers perform that role.

Downtime can usually be avoided by keeping the existing nameservers in place until any new hosting or email setup is ready.

Record all DNS settings before the transfer as a precaution.

What Happens if You Enter the Wrong Tag?

The domain may move to an unintended registrar or fail to appear where expected.

Contact the relevant registrars promptly and keep evidence of the requested tag.

Because tags are exact identifiers, careful checking before submission is essential.

IPS Tags and Domain Sales

In a domain sale, the buyer commonly supplies the IPS tag for the receiving registrar.

The seller changes the tag at the stage required by the agreed payment or escrow process.

The buyer then confirms control and updates ownership, security and renewal details, including the safeguards covered in our guide to keeping a business domain name secure.

IPS Tags Do Not Prove Ownership

The tag identifies the registrar, not necessarily the person or company that owns the domain.

A domain can have the correct receiving tag while the registrant information still needs to be updated.

For a sale or business transfer, verify both registrar control and registrant details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an IPS tag a password?

No. It identifies a registrar and is not a secret account credential.

Can two registrars use the same tag?

A tag identifies a particular tag holder, though one company may operate more than one tag.

Do .com domains use IPS tags?

No. Many non-UK extensions use an authorisation code and a different transfer process.

Does changing the tag renew the domain?

Not necessarily. Check the new registrar’s renewal arrangements separately.

Summary

An IPS tag identifies the registrar responsible for a .co.uk or .uk domain.

To move the domain, obtain the new registrar’s exact tag, ask the current registrar to apply it and then complete the receiving provider’s process.

Check DNS, ownership, security and renewal after the change.