How do I confirm a seller actually controls the domains in a portfolio?

Start with a complete list of names and the account each one sits in. Compare it with public registration records where available, and note any that show a different owner, a privacy service or an organization you do not recognize. Differences are not always a problem, but each one needs an explanation you can verify.

Then test control. In a screen-sharing session, have the seller sign in, display each name’s settings and show the email address tied to the account. Ask about renewal dates, auto-renew status and any transfer lock. Ask whether any names are parked with partners, leased out or tied to a loan, and request copies of those arrangements.

Finally, plan the transfer itself. Ask your lawyer to confirm the seller can sell each name and how to hold funds until the transfer completes, perhaps through a neutral third party. Move the names into an account that you control and change every credential immediately. Check that the transfer finished for each name before you consider the job done. Keep screenshots and dated notes of what you saw during each check. If anything later goes wrong, a clear record of what the seller showed you will help your lawyer advise you.

Key takeaways

• Watch the seller log in to each registrar account live.
• Compare registered owners with the seller’s name and explain differences.
• Hold payment through a neutral arrangement until each transfer completes.