As a tag holder, you are able to process domain name applications through Nominet's automated registration system - the Automaton - which requires a minimal level of human intervention and means that domain names can usually be registered in a matter of seconds. Only tag holders (and not members without a tag) are entitled to use the Automaton. Only tag holders who are members of Nominet are entitled to receive a discount for domain name registrations.  If you become a tag holder but not a member of Nominet you will be charged the full registration fee of £80 plus VAT for each domain name.

As explained in the Tag Holder Agreement with Nominet UK, when you register a domain name on behalf of a customer, you are acting as their Agent and are therefore binding them to Nominet's Terms and Conditions . You have a legal responsibility to make customers aware of their contractual obligations to Nominet UK.

Tag holders need to download PGP software and create a unique PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) Key which will allows them to interact with the Automaton. This enables the Automaton to identify you when you make a domain name registration application for a customer and process the application automatically.

You may request that fees are charged to your credit account and you will receive consolidated monthly invoices on the 8th of the following month covering the registrations and renewals processed by the Automaton. Alternatively, you may request that invoices are sent direct to your customers, in which case Nominet will charge the full registration fee of £80 plus VAT.

You will also be able to use the Automaton to cancel domain name registrations, for example those made in error, as long as the domain name has not been paid for.  However, if we have already invoiced the registration fees we will not issue a credit note and the fee will remain outstanding.