There may be many reasons why you want to transfer your domain name registration from one registrar to another: pricing, domain management and administration, services, customer support, etc.

All domain name transfer requests must be initiated by the registrant or the Administrative Contact of the domain, and processed by the gaining registrar, the registrar whom you are transferring your domain to.

The gaining registrar is required to obtain expressed authorization from the registrant or the Administrative Contact of the domain name. A transfer can only proceed upon the receipt of confirmation of transfer. This confirmation of transfer can be a physical authorization process or an electronic process. Regardless of the process, the confirmation of transfer needs to be validated with the domain’s "AuthInfo" code.

The domain “AuthInfo” code is a unique code generated on a per-domain basis and is used for authorization or confirmation of a transfer request.

The registrant can obtain the domain’s “AuthInfo” code from the losing registrar (the registrar whom you are transferring the domain away from).

Before you proceed with a domain name transfer request, make sure:

• The domain has been registered for at least 60 days with your current registrar. If you just recently registered or transferred your domain name, you will need to wait 60 days before applying for transfer.
• The admin contact e-mail is valid, as this is where most registrars will send the confirmation of transfer and the domain "AuthInfo" code.
• Domain name is not in protected/locked status.
• Domain name is not in redemption status.
• Domain name is not locked for either non-payment or at the owner's request.
• Domain name is not currently in dispute.
• Domain name has not been deleted.

Domain Name Registration Process

 

After you have chosen a domain name, you will need to submit your domain name registration request to a registrar.

You will need to submit the following information to the registrar:

• the desired domain name
• The name and contact information (including email address, physical address and contact phone number) for the domain’s registrant, administrative and billing contacts.
• the desired domain registration term
• payment information

Once you have provided your registrar with all these information, they will then initiate the domain name registration process for you. The registrar will send your domain name request, and the contact and technical information of the domain name to the registry.

The registry files the contact information for the Whois. The registry also adds your domain zone files to the master servers. These master servers tell other servers on the Internet where your website is stored.

Your domain is considered registered and ready-to-use when all information has been updated.

Domain Name Registration and Copyright Infringement

 

The best method to avoid conflict of trademarks is to search the trademark databases. It provides you with all the registered and pending trademarks.

The regulations governing copyright issues for domain names are governed by Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

It is very likely that you would lose right of your domain name registration if:

• You have intentionally chosen a name that is similar to another domain name or trademark to create consumer confusion
• You do not carry business under that name
• Neither you nor any other individuals in your company carry a name that is same or similar
• You are planning to sell that domain name to your competitor for financial gain

Domain Name Backordering

 

Domain name backordering is a service that allows anyone to reserve a domain name in the event that the name is not yet available to the public.

If there is a domain name you wish to use, but is currently owned by another party, you can submit a domain name backorder request to the registrar. The registrar will notify you when that domain expires and becomes publicly available again.

However, this could also work on your domain name, if someone else should have interest in it.

If you are looking for a domain name backordering service, you should look for a backorder serving that works with a few registrars. The more registrars mean better odds of a successful backorder.

Domain Name Registration and Privacy

 

When you register your domain name, you will notice that your registrar will ask you for quite a bit of information: your name, your email address, your physical address, and your phone number. The information is used to complete two of the three registration profiles for your domain name: Registrant and Administrative Contact. Then, all three registration profiles (Registrant, Admin and Technical contacts) will be publicly available and accessible on their registry’s database.

So what if you want your information to remain private? Afterall, the database is publicly available, meaning spammers, scammers and stalkers can access it, too. And lying on your registration information is illegal.

Many registrars offer private domain registrations, with or without extra cost. With private registration, your name will still appear as the registration. However, instead of your full contact profile, your registrar will list their information – a proxy registration.

Domain Name Registrant, Registrar, and Registry

 

The domain name registrant is the organization or individual registering the domain name. When you submit your application for a domain name, you become the domain name registrant.

A registrar is the company that takes your registration request and reserves your domain for you at the main registry.

During the domain name registration process, you will be asked to provide the registrar with contact and technical information. The registrar will then submit the information to the central directory, also known as the registry. The registry enters your information into their database so that other computers on the Internet can look-up the necessary information to find your website.

Does it matter where I purchase my domain name?

 

Once you have decided on the domain name you want to use, your next step is to choose a registrar for your domain name registration.

Registrars vary in price, services offered, ease of use, management system, and more.

A registrar is the company that takes your domain name registration information and reserves your domain from the main registry.

When looking for a domain registrar, you should keep in mind:

• Price

  The price you pay for your domain can vary greatly between registrars. When comparing prices, take into account the other services included by the registrar, their customer support, testimonies, etc.

• Accreditation

  Your chosen registrar should be ICANN accredited. ICANN maintains a list of accredited domain registrars. If the domain you have chosen is a reseller of an accredited registrar, they should let you know which registrar they represent.

• Terms

  Take the time to read and understand your domain registration terms. Pay attention to ownership clause and other terms of condition.

• Duration

  Do not register your domain for more than one year in the beginning. That give you time to evaluation your registrar before further commitment, as well, allowing you time to evaluate your domain name in case you wish to use a different domain name.

• Delay

  A domain name registration generally takes no more than 48 hours.

• Transfer Policy

  You should be able to transfer your domain to another registrar without any restriction other than those enforced by ICANN. Check the registrar for other restrictions and curbs.

• Customer Support

  Check if phone, chat or email support is available.

• Management

  Does the registrar provide a domain name management panel for you to manage your own domain name? Or do all changes have to go through them?

Do I need a domain name registrar?

 

All domains must be connected to a registrar, and all applications for domain names must be submitted through a registrar.

The registrar also helps you with the renewal, transfer or termination of your domain name registration.