This FAQ (Frequently
Asked Questions) section covers the most commonly asked questions regarding transferring
uk domain names (i.e. .co.uk .org.uk .ltd.uk .plc.uk etc…).
OVERVIEW
The process for
transferring .uk domain names differs to the process for transferring global domain
names.
.uk domain names are transferred using an "IPS tag". To transfer
your domain name the existing company holding the tag needs to "release
the IPS tag" to the new company. It is a quick and simple process. You
may find the section on Nominet's
website regarding Changing ISPs particularly helpful.
It would be helpful
for you to see the domain name record held for your domain. All .uk domain names
are held on Nominet's database in Oxfordshire. To see the record for your domain
name use the domain name search facility at http://www.strongnet.net/zaygo/index.cgi.
When the reply "Domain taken" comes back,
click on the "WHOIS " link and the domain
name record details will be displayed for you.
Domain Name:
YOURNAME.CO.UK
Registered
For: Registrant's Name (should be your name)
Domain
Registered By: STRONGNET (this is the IPS TAG)
Registered
on 12-Jul-2000.
Record
last updated on 29-Mar-2002 by staff@strongnet.co.uk.
Domain
servers listed in order:
DNS0.STRONGNET.CO.UK
212.38.76.6
DNS1.STRONGNET.CO.UK 212.38.64.94
WHOIS
database last updated at 05:29:01 29-Mar-2002
HOW
DO I FIND OUT WHICH COMPANY HOLD THE IPS TAG FOR MY DOMAIN NAME ?
Normally the IPS
tag will be held by the company that registered the name originally for you -
unless of course you have since transferred it to another company - in which case
that company would normally then hold the tag for your domain name. To see which
company holds the tag for your domain name then look at the Nominet record (as
described in the introduction above).
The current holder of the tag for your domain name is the name shown on the 3rd
line of the domain name record :
i.e. the Domain Registered By : field.
WHAT
DO I NEED TO DO TO GET THE TAG TRANSFERRED TO STRONGNET ?
You will need to contact
the existing company that is holding the tag on your domain name and ask then
to "release the IPS Tag" (this expression will be readily understood
by any domain name registration company). Industry practice is for the request
to be in the form of a signed request on letterhead faxed (or posted). Click
here for specimen letter.
WHY
DO I NEED TO FAX (OR POST) THE REQUEST ?
Basically this
is for your security, such that only you as the registrant can authorise the transfer
of your valuable domain name. To act upon a telephone request would be most unwise,
similarly an email request could be equally insecure. For this reason, industry
practice is to release the tags on receipt of signed requests on letterheads.
HELP
- I'VE JUST DISCOVERED THAT THE DOMAIN NAME ISN'T REGISTERED IN MY NAME.
The 2nd line of
the domain name record i.e. the REGISTERED FOR field should be your name (or your
trading name). It may be that you've just discovered that the name you thought
was yours - is actually registered in the name of the company who registered the
domain name for you, or your web-designer's name
(which means that it isn't your domain name, but it is theirs!). Clearly it is very important
that you rectify this as soon as possible. However, even though you would like
to think that this is your name, such a process needs to be initiated by the person
(or entity) that is shown in the REGISTERED FOR field. You will need to get them
to follow the process for "changing the registrant"
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RELEASE THE IPS TAG ?
Releasing the IPS
tag for a .uk domain name is delighfully quick and simple.
Once your current ISP has received your faxed request, it involves them in typing
a 2 line standard templated email (merely the domain name to be transferred together
with the IPS Tag of the new company). Totally typing time is about 60 seconds
! Nominet's automated process typically takes about 4 hours (sometimes less) to
transfer the tag. It really is that simple !
When asked to transfer
domain names away to another company, Strongnet strive to release tags when
asked within 24 hours working hours - the reality is that it is often within just
a couple of hours from receipt of the fax. Furthermore, Strongnet do not charge
any "release" fees for releasing the tag.
HELP
- THE COMPANY I REGISTERED THE DOMAIN NAME WITH IS GOING TO CHARGE A "RELEASE"
FEE.
As mentioned, Strongnet
charge no "release" fees for releasing a .uk domain name. Similarly,
the overwhelming majority of ISP's do not charge any "release"fees.
"release"
fees (sometimes referred to "exit" fees) are usually (not not always)
levied by companies which registered domain names for "free" or at seemingly
little initial cost.
If the company
that is currently holding the tag for your domain name is charging you a "release"
fee then you need to check this.
When you registered
the domain name initially you may have been aware that such charges would be levied
when you later wished to transfer the domain name to another company, when you
accepted their terms and conditions. Possibly you kept a copy of the terms and conditions
(or prices charges pages) when you initially registered the domain name, which
you can now refer to.
In some cases however,
some companies endeavour to charge you "exit" fees - yet no reference
is made to such charges on their website or other material - in which case you
will need to take up the matter with them directly.
Release fees can
vary - such exit fees can be any figure though sums of £19, £25, £94
are to be seen which then makes what originally seemed to be a "free"
or cheap domain name - not such a bargain after all !
HOW
WILL I KNOW IF THE TAG HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY RELEASED ?
You will know that
the 3rd line of the domain name record will have changed to read :
DOMAIN
NAME REGISTERED BY : STRONGNET
