Changing Registrars

Domain Registration Transfer -- the Short Course

(Due to the graphic nature of this web page, it may take up to a minute to load the 21 images in the guide. Please be patient before printing this document)

Several Registrars, notably Network Solutions, make transferring a domain a complicated exercise. This document is meant to streamline a transfer example from our registrar: DomainBank.

You can start the transfer process by clicking HERE. Then, select the link for registering by yourself.

But before you do, here are the steps involved (printing this may be a good idea).

From the above link, you are given a choice to register yourself. The process of transferring domains is actually a re-registration. Most reputable registration services (registrars) will credit the additional months remaining on your current registration when you transfer, so you lose nothing in the process. The transfer process is broken down into 2 stages here: the request, and the confirmation/account setup.

Prior to beginning the transfer process, you should use our whois tool to find out who the registrar is and what email address is listed as the admin contact email address. This email address must be valid and within your control for the transfer to conclude successfully. Once you know who controls the domain, you can proceed (be sure to tell the admin contact to expect email instructions or send them this page when you initiate the process). You may need to visit the individual registrar and their whois search feature if their database is inaccessable from our system.

Part 1. The request.

Selecting the Register Yourself link displays this window:

Select "Change Registrar" with your mouse.

Next, you will assign yourself an account ID and password for managing your domain information with the new registrar. The next screen shows the fields you use to enter this:

Be sure to write down your chosen ID and password -- it is your quick link to making corrections or changes to your account.

Select the submit button to move on to the next step. The following screen appears (fill in YOUR domain name, not ours):

Enter in your domain in the text field, then select the Submit button. If you wish to submit more than one domain, enter all domains at this time. In this example, we've entered in our own domain. [Note: if your domain is not currently registered with those listed above, you have to select the blue support link and make your request via a brief email note. You should still set up an account now to save paperwork later, but you cannot use this automated process for companies like Melbourne (HostSave)]

The next screen requests your personal information for billing and contact purposes. Don't worry, you'll have an opportunity to enter in your desired administrative, technical and billing information later. Simply enter in your billing information here (fill in YOUR billing information, this is just an example -- do not use OUR INFORMATION):

The next step is the payment page. Fill in your billing information:

Fill in your credit card information, then select the Transfer Domain Name(s) button. This starts the process.

The next screen you see is a confirmation that the transfer has begun:

Part 2: Confirming the transfer request.

Once your initial request has been submitted, the ADMIN contact for the domain will receive an email requesting a confirmation. This is part of a checks and balances system to make sure that the request for moving the registration is valid (you wouldn't want someone else to have the ability to move your domain without your consent).

The confirmation email has a special link you must select -- which looks something like this:

Select the above link (or cut and paste the entire contents of the blue link into your favorite browser), and follow the instructions on the screen.

Your first screen will request that you double-check your billing information and admin contact information for accuracy. If any field is blank, fill it in. The button for the admin contact information can save you some typing -- just make sure your data is correct.

Scroll down on the page. You should confirm that our technical information is correct (we strongly encourage you to leave our tech information intact, so we can manage important server settings within your account if necessary):

Next, fill in the Billing information -- this is from you, not us. Fill in YOUR contact information in this block:

Finally, select the "I have read" terms box (a check box) to accept the terms, then select the Accept button to have the request filed with the old registrar.

Return to the main menu, and you'll see this screen:

Part 3: the confirmation eMail and account setup.

Once the domain request has been filed, you will receive confirmations.

You'll likely receive a confirmation from the new registrar that your request has been confirmed and sent to the old registrar. Here is what a typical email would appear like:

The confirmation that you MUST respond to is the one from the registrar you are leaving. Below is an example of the email from Verisign. In this case, you would double-click on the link within the email to open their confirmation page in your browser:

The final step is to select Confirm, then the Submit button on the form presented in your browser. Here is an example:

You will receive a confirmation email from the original registrar regarding the transfer, which can take 7-10 days to finalize.

That's it. Do be sure to contact our office to let us know if you change registrars so we may update our records.

If you have any questions, or would like us to conduct the transfer for you, please let us know:

techsupport@afterhoursconsulting.org

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