An apparatus and method for processing a domain name registration operation in a shared registration system is provided. A registry receives a request for performing a domain name registration operation from a registrar. The registry performs an authentication of the registrar that sent the request. If the registrar is determined to be authenticated, the registry then determines whether the registrar is authorized to perform an action necessitated by the operation. Subsequently, the registry executes the operation based on a determination that the registrar is authorized and stores changes necessitated by the operation in a database. A response indicating success or failure of the operation is sent to the registrar.