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Transfering Domain Names

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Different domain name registrars have different methods of facilitating the transfer of domain names to new owners.

In general when you buy or sell a domain name, you will need to:
  • formalise your arrangement with the other party
  • find a safe and secure way to make the payment
  • transfer the ownership of the name

Formalising the sale

You may wish or need to have a formal contract with the seller or purchaser of the domain name. If so, you should discuss this with your professional advisers like lawyers and accountants.

Making the payment

Your contract or other sale arrangement will determine the way the money may pass hands - anything from cash, to a transfer via lawyer's trust accounts (as in a house sale).

There are also online methods for transfer of money such as Paypal and independent escrow companies which deal in the secure tranfer of funds. You should not change any registration details for the domain name until you are certain of cleared payment for your domain name. Once a name is transferred you cannot get it back, except perhaps by legal action.

Transferring the domain name

Different domain name registrars have different ways of allowing changing ownership. In summary, the basic process involves:
  • Seller changes registrant details on the domain name record
  • Seller provides purchaser with the UDAI (Unique Domain Attribute Identifier) for the domain name.
  • Purchaser can now use the new UDAI to transfer the domain name to their own account with the same registering company, or to any other registrant.
  • Purchaser requests that a new UDAI be generated and sent to them. The seller no longer has access to this domain name's record.
  • Purchaser sets up new hosting plan with any hosting company they prefer and directs the domain name nameservers to the hosting company.
  • Some registrars may also require payment of a fee, or the completion of forms by both parties to formalise the ownership change.
Check with the company the domain name is registered with (eg Discount Domains, Ihug, 2day etc) to ensure that the transfer is made the way that they require. If in doubt, check it out with them!

When you change the registrant and contact details, ensure that you use an "enduring" email address (ie something that won't disappear if staff change), or you may have problems transferring or updating a domain name again in future.

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