How can I renew with a different Domain Provider?
Related Topics: Transfer to Another Domain Provider
Simply contact a new Domain Provider and request a Transfer of your domain name to them.
Related Questions
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How can I transfer my domain from one Domain Provider to another Domain Provider?
Related Topics: Transfer to Another Domain Provider
Detailed answerThe following requirements must be met before you can transfer your domain name:
- Since transfer confirmation is done via email, the Administrative Contact email address listed on your domain name must be valid. If you are unsure, you can perform a WHOIS lookup. If the address is invalid and you have your login information, you can update it through the Domain Management Interface. If you do not have the login information, you can update your Administrative Contact by fax.
- Your domain name must be at least 60 days old. This is a Registry-imposed requirement that affects all Registrars.
- If your domain name is expired, it must be within the Tucows grace period.
- There must be no locks or holds on your domain name. If you need to have your domain name unlocked or to have an expired-hold removed, contact your current Domain Provider.
- You must have the Authorization Code (also called an Auth Code or EPP Key) for most types of domain names.
Partial list of transfer limitations for specific types of domains (TLDs)
- .CN – You cannot transfer domains 15 days before their expiration date
NOTE: All types of domain names may not be listed here. Some types of domains (the TLD) may have some special requirements not on this page. Refer to Domain Specific Information for more information.
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How can I transfer an Expired Domain?
Related Topics: Transfer of Expired Domains
Detailed answerUsually you cannot transfer an expired domain from another Registrar to Tucows, as the currently Registrar will not support this. However, you should check with the current Registrar to verify that you can or cannot transfer the domain.
You can, however, transfer an expired domain that is currently with Tucows. There are two types of transfers you can perform:
1) Transfer to another Domain Provider
You can transfer your domain to another Domain Provider, which can generally be accomplished in under 30 minutes. Even if their website states that expired domains cannot be transferred, they will be able to transfer your domain because they are within the same Registrar system (Tucows/OpenSRS) as your old Provider.2) Transfer to another Registrar
You can transfer your domain to another Registrar, but you will need to get your domain Provider to unlock your domain. Sometimes this can be done by the domain owner from a Domain Management Interface in the Domain Extras section. The current lock status can be seen from a WHOIS lookup and is usually shown as “clientTransferProhibited”. Note that Registrar transfers take generally 1-7 days to complete.To ensure the transfer will succeed you must first submit the transfer request with the Gaining Registrar. Emails will be sent to the Admin contact asking for their approval. You can verify the address using a WHOIS lookup
The Administrative Contact email address is used to confirm the transfer. If it needs to be updated, you may need to resubmit the transfer request with the Gaining Registrar. Clarify this issue with the Gaining Registrar first.
You must also have the Authorization Code information (also called an Auth Code or EPP key) for the domain name.
There must be no locks or holds on your domain name. If you need to have your domain name unlocked you must either contact your Domain Provider directly, and in some cases you can remove it yourself from a Domain Management Interface under Domain Extras.
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Why was my domain not renewed even though I paid for it?
Detailed answerWhen renewing a domain it’s important to understand with whom you are renewing and what steps must be taken to ensure the domain is renewed properly.
All renewals of domains registered with Tucows are done via Providers. Providers are responsible for supporting single domain holders. If you have any questions regarding your domain’s renewal status or a billing related matter, it is vital that you contact your Provider. Tucows does not have any access to Providers’ billing records and therefore cannot assist in matters related to your domain’s renewal status, nor can we assist with billing/invoicing.
If you don’t know who your Domain Provider is, please see this page.
There are many organizations who solicit registrants for renewal services but who currently have no authority to renew the domain name.
It is possible to transfer the domain to them, at which point they would have the authority to renew the domain.
There are two possible scenarios:
1. Renewing with your current Domain Provider
This is generally the fastest and easiest method of renewing a domain name, since this is the company that’s currently responsible for supporting your domain registration. You can keep track of the renewal using our WHOIS lookup to see the current expiration date. If it has not been applied, speak with them about the delay in processing your renewal. If you don’t know who your Domain Provider is, please see this page2. Renewing with another Registrar (or a non-Domain Provider) by transferring your domain name to them.
If you are renewing your domain name with another Registrar, they will not have the authority to renew the domain name until you first complete a “Registration Transfer” to the new Registrar. Once the Registration Transfer is completed, they will be responsible for the domain and will be able to renew it. There are several steps that must be taken before they are able to renew it.To ensure that the transfer will be successful:
- All locks must be removed from the domain
- The domain just have a valid Administrative Contact address. You may need to resubmit your transfer request with the new Registrar if the address is updated after the transfer is started.
- For most types of domains, you will need the Authorization Code (also called Auth Code or EPP Key) for the domain in order to authorize the transfer.
If your domain has been in expiry for so long that it’s at risk of being deleted from our system (40 days after the expiration date), you can transfer to another Domain Provider in generally under an hour.
The transfer must be submitted with the new Domain Provider (usually on their website), and can only be authorized by the Administrative Contact for the domain. If the Administrative Contact is not currently valid you can update it.
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How did my domain expire without any Renewal Reminder notices?
Related Topics: Renewal Email Notifications
Detailed answerRenewal Reminders are sent via email to the contact addresses listed on the Registration record. If you change your email address you must also have this updated on your domain name. Having current, valid contact information is a requirement for all who register a domain name, as highlighted in the agreements when the domain was first registered.
Additionally, your email address may use strong SPAM filtering as well. Some SPAM filters will incorrectly identify renewal reminders as SPAM and delete them, or route them out of sight. Disable all SPAM filters on the system during the period you expect renewal reminders.
Some Domain Providers will allow your domain to “auto-renew”. This means when the domain comes up for renewal, you do not have to go through the renewal procedure manually. If you consider your domain important property (for instance if it is critical to your business), it would be a very good idea to have the domain set to auto renew. You should contact your Domain Provider to discuss this possibility. If you don’t know who your Domain Provider is please see this page to find out who your Provider is.
In all cases, the best way to remember when a domain is up for renewal is to schedule it in your date book or calendar. You can then be assured that even if the automated systems fail, you will remember when to renew and who to renew with.
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Why can’t I transfer my domain name?
Related Topics: Transfer Status, Transfer to Another Domain Provider, Transfer to Another Domain Registrar, Transfer to Tucows/OpenSRS
Detailed answerIf you wish to transfer your domain name to another domain name company, there are some factors which can either delay or prohibit the transfer from happening. All issues have a solution, but some issues may take some time to resolve.
Brief list of issues affecting domain name transfers
- Domain is 60 days or older: Domains must have existed for 60 days or longer. New domain registrations cannot be transferred until this time has passed.
- Domain Unlocked: The domain name must not have a Lock on it. You must contact the current domain name registration company for the domain name to have locks removed.
- Domain Authorization Code: For most types of domains, you require a specific Authorization Code for the domain name to authorize the transfer. The current domain name registration company can provide this to you, however it may also be obtained within their web-based interfaces online. If this domain is with Tucows, you can learn how to obtain the Authorization Code through this page.
- Valid Administrative Contact: For most types of domains, you must have a valid and functional Administrative Contact email address to receive the transfer confirmation notification emails. It’s a good idea to turn off your anti-SPAM email filters while the domain transfers in order to receive these emails. If this email address is invalid and no longer works, you will need to update it through your current domain name registration company. If the domain name is with Tucows, the update can be accomplished through this page.
This list applies to .COM, .NET, and .ORG domain names but also apply to many other types of domain names. Specific issues for other types of domain names are contained within the Transfer of Domain Registrations section of this website.
Please note that it takes some time for a domain name to transfer. This is outlined further in the article titled How can I speed up my domain name transfer?
