I wanted to register a domain name someplace outside the US, so last week I registered my new domain name with domaindiscount24.com. It has been a horrible experience and the domain is still not working. I think part of the problem is they do not understand the English language very well. All I want is to be able to use multiple email addresses with my new domain name.

Can someone please recommend a domain name register that is not in America, and has easy to use domain name/name server/mail server configuration, and who's support people have a good understanding of the English language?

I wanted to register a domain name someplace outside the US, so last week I registered my new domain name with domaindiscount24.com. It has been a horrible experience and the domain is still not working. I think part of the problem is they do not understand the English language very well. All I want is to be able to use multiple email addresses with my new domain name.

Can someone please recommend a domain name register that is not in America, and has easy to use domain name/name server/mail server configuration, and who's support people have a good understanding of the English language?

eurodns.com
gandi.net

Any particular reason you need a registrar outside the US?

Are you looking to register a specific country-code TLD (ie .ca .co.uk, etc), or a .com domain?

I tried to create a user account on eurodns.com and it won't let me because their web page form requires a Europeon phone number, it won't accept an American phone number. So next I'll look at gandi.net.

My new domain name is a .com name. The only reason I want to use a non American registrar is because I'm paranoid and I don't trust the American government.

Check out the domain offers forum. Found few there.

check out canspace.ca (current customer for .ca's)

there's also netim.com (never dealt with them)

I created an account at gandi.net and looked around on their web site. So far I like what I see there.

I created an account at gandi.net and looked around on their web site. So far I like what I see there.


They are not the cheapest, but good :)

Where are you from? maybe it worth to do the search in your local area for the domain name registrar?

I have decided to transfer my new domain name from domaindiscount24 to gandi.net.

My main frustration with domaindiscount24 is that they have not provided me with the information needed to put in their configuration web page forms so that my new domain name will work with their e-mail server. So I just have a non-functional parked domain.

Also always good: Internetbs.net

I have several Domains there, never problems - still Cheap, and Free Whois Protection.

@greenacres: I'm using RRPproxy (Reseller platform of Key-Systems) for some ccTLDs. Can't you just update the nameserver records for your domain to point them to another hosting provider? can't see what's causing you trouble.

To start with, which of their products did you buy? only domain or also hosting?

names.co.uk are UK based

You can do a Google search. But most important that domain registrar you using got the domain extension you want

@greenacres: I'm using RRPproxy (Reseller platform of Key-Systems) for some ccTLDs. Can't you just update the nameserver records for your domain to point them to another hosting provider? can't see what's causing you trouble.

To start with, which of their products did you buy? only domain or also hosting?

I paid extra to use a half dozen different email addresses with my domain name.

As for your plans of moving to another registrar: Keep in mind that most gTLDs can not be transfered for 60 days after registration/last transfer.

I don't know the DD24 panel (is it multilingual?). If there are any german terms you need help translating, feel free to contact me ;-)

As for your plans of moving to another registrar: Keep in mind that most gTLDs can not be transfered for 60 days after registration/last transfer.

I don't know the DD24 panel (is it multilingual?). If there are any german terms you need help translating, feel free to contact me ;-)

Yesterday I found out about not being able to transfer for 60 days, and that adds to my frustration. If I can think up another good domain name then I'll register it with gandi.net and abandon the first one or try to sell it for a few dollars. In the meantime maybe I'll calm down enough to ask dd24 again for the required information and this time be more specific with my questions.

My experience with dd24 was this:
I filled out all their web page forms to register a new domain name and be able to use a few different email addresses. I got an email with my account user name and password. I logged in to my account admin web page there was no information about my new domain name or that I even had a domain name registered. I filled out their web page help form and two days later I got an email reply that they had received my credit card information but nothing about my registering a domain name or their extra email service. By now I had a very low opinion of this company and was upset. There is no excuse for their domain name registration web page to malfunction like that.

So I once again filled out their web page forms to register a new domain name. This time I got a reply from them saying my new domain name was registered. So once again I logged into my account admin page and this time found my domain name listed. I then spent a lot of time searching their web site trying to find the information needed to configure the domain. Their web site is very difficult to navigate. Their account admin form asks for: IP address of web server, Service record (IN SRV), NAPTR, nameserver. I could not find any of that information anywhere on their web site. Their FAQ pages are as clear as mud. This was very frustrating and upsetting. Next I tried filling out their forms to create an email address but that didn't work either.

So I again filled out their help form and complained about not being able to configure my account to work, and asked "Please provide me with the information and instructions on how to do this."

They replied by sending me instructions on how to create an email address;
"To add a new mailbox to your mailspace just fill in the information under "Add new mailbox". Please enter the emailaddress in the field "Mailboxuser" and the email password in the field "Password"."

That was the last straw. By this time I was so frustrated and mad at them that I made up my mind to use a different registrar.

All I want is to be able to use a few different email addresses with my own domain name.

I notice that now (several days later) their nameservers are listed in the nameserver configuration. But before those fields were all blank. I guess the rest of that configuration stuff is not necessary? And now I am able to configure an email address and it almost works, but not really. I still don't know the name of their IMAP mail server to put in my home computer email program (Thunderbird) configuration, and I am unable to use their web page email program because it's all in German.

Any particular reason you need a registrar outside the US?

Just wanted to chime in that I also prefer non US registrars, but not sure if it's paranoia, more like concerned about how easily a US registrar will hand over your domain if they receive a complaint or a court order or copyright claim - or just about anything.

Other countries seem to have stronger protections from this sort of abuse from what I understand.

I know some US registrars that will shut down your site and disable your domain just for hosting content they disagree with or they view as a legal liability on their part - sometimes just from anonymous complaint.

If you want to host legal questionable sites, whatever, I don't think that a registrar should be allowed to step in at any point, they should be neutral. Host maybe, registrar definitely not.

Currently use joker, but payment issues forcing me to move. I kind of think registrars are unreliable in general.

Fastdomain.com is a good registrar...im using them currently

ilovethisdomain.com offers free unlimited catch-all email-ids. You can access webmail at webmail.yourdomain.com, as well as forward your mails to another email id quite easily.

Fabulous.com is based out of Australia - top notch service!

I wanted to register a domain name someplace outside the US, so last week I registered my new domain name with domaindiscount24.com. It has been a horrible experience

I had a similar problem with language difficulties when used an Indian firm hiding behind a UK domain to provide a dedicated server. I had to buy again. Some things are best outsourced to proper English speaking countries. Nothing against India.

Sibername.com - is Canadian based domain name registrar.

I tried to create a user account on eurodns.com and it won't let me because their web page form requires a Europeon phone number, it won't accept an American phone number. So next I'll look at gandi.net.

My new domain name is a .com name. The only reason I want to use a non American registrar is because I'm paranoid and I don't trust the American government.

A lot has changed since this post was made and today, many of us can finally agree it's not being paranoid not trusting The United States Government.

If you're like me. You may find this post through a simple Google Search as I did.

Education is always a good thing. So allow me to educate you.

Registering outside America is a good start, but the domain extension should also be outside of America.

.com
.net
.org
.info
.us
.biz
.asia -- Surprised? I was.
.mobile

And a few others are ALL American domain names. So you may register your domain in "Spain" (for example), but America can remotely pull it without causing an international problem as it's technically theirs.

Officially, American Law says you "rent" or "lease" a domain name from America. You never own. So just like renting an apartment... The landlord can kick you out.

Keep in mind if your domain register is ends with an American domain name, for example gandi.net; they too can be "played with".

Try seeking a domain register that does not end with anything American controlled. Offshore hosting is also a plus.

Personal advise would be to also avoid The United Kingdom (UK). I think the people there are wonderful, but their government seems to easily follow the rule of America.

Think of it this way....

America: I dislike what X person says. Make him stop
UK: But there is nothing wrong about it here.
America: Do it, b**ch
UK: OK, BOSS.

As I said. The people there are wonderful, but their government is all to eager to fall in line.

I should add that you should contact the sales department or support department and ask them, what is their name server?

If it ends with an American domain name. It too can be a target.

So the best example to avoid The United States Government would be.....

Register Domain.eu or .nl or .de or something else along those lines
From a register who ends with .eu or .nl or .de or something else along those lines
Who's name servers ends with .eu or .nl or .de or something else along those lines

And a bonus would be to seek an offshore host.

Most important thing.... Do your homework

Spot on. If you don't want to deal with the US law, simply choosing a registrar outside of the States is insufficient. You also have to pick an extention outside of the States. Because even if you buy your .com name in the UK, Germany, Holland, India, whatever... .com falls under US jurisdiction.

If you really wish to abstain from dealing with domains under US law, you will need to choose an extention that falls under a different jurisdiction. Plenty of choice since the world has over 200 countries ;) Especially inside the EU, governments care about privacy (although, this is also changing in the wrong direction in some EU nations, but not to the extent of the US)

Spot on. If you don't want to deal with the US law, simply choosing a registrar outside of the States is insufficient. You also have to pick an extention outside of the States. Because even if you buy your .com name in the UK, Germany, Holland, India, whatever... .com falls under US jurisdiction.

If you really wish to abstain from dealing with domains under US law, you will need to choose an extention that falls under a different jurisdiction. Plenty of choice since the world has over 200 countries ;) Especially inside the EU, governments care about privacy (although, this is also changing in the wrong direction in some EU nations, but not to the extent of the US)

.com extention is not owned by USA. How come .com domain and registrar in Bahamas selling .com domain comes under USA jurisdiction?

.com extention is not owned by USA. How come .com domain and registrar in Bahamas selling .com domain comes under USA jurisdiction?
.com extension IS owned by USA.

.com extention is not owned by USA. How come .com domain and registrar in Bahamas selling .com domain comes under USA jurisdiction?

icann and verisign, the two governing bodies which have been entrusted to enact on behalf of The United States Government, allow for outside (offshore) companies to register and sell .com domain names.

But make no mistake; it is USA controlled.

A few years ago, it was debated if The United Nations should govern The Internet. At the time, I thought no. Now I'm not so sure.

Personally, I would like it if some how The Internet could be recognized as an independent territory of the world.

ICANN was formed in 1998. It is a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation with participants from all over the world dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It promotes competition and develops policy on the Internet’s unique identifiers.

But it's is incorporated in USA as per their Articles.

.com extention is not owned by USA. How come .com domain and registrar in Bahamas selling .com domain comes under USA jurisdiction?

Look, .com may be sold by anyone in any place in the world, its registry (who set the rules) are US based. Weither you buy the .com in the US itself or with a registrar elsewhere, the .com domain is under US law.

Similarly, some US based registrars offer European ccTLDs. Now if you buy a .nl domain with a US based registrar, Dutch law applies for that domain even if your registrar is in the States.

I would like the idea of the UN controlling the internet ; and make it not competitive but informative, as was the initial goal when it was created for academical purposes. The creation of more and more TLD's IMO is wrong for example, the web is becoming just another capitalist market parallel to businesses offline. The web was created for informative purposes mainly in the academical world, it took a turn for the worse. I'd say it would be nice if some changes could be reversed, although that said ICANN doesn't seem to be too biased towards one country or another. Countries with very different state forms than the US (eg North Korea, Cuba, China, VietNam, etc) got their own ccTLD and set their own rules for it. At least we gotta credit ICANN for not interfering with countries' own decisions in how to run their own ccTLD's. But yes, for gTLD's such as .com, it's USA law applying.

Look, .com may be sold by anyone in any place in the world, its registry (who set the rules) are US based. Weither you buy the .com in the US itself or with a registrar elsewhere, the .com domain is under US law.

Similarly, some US based registrars offer European ccTLDs. Now if you buy a .nl domain with a US based registrar, Dutch law applies for that domain even if your registrar is in the States.

I would like the idea of the UN controlling the internet ; and make it not competitive but informative, as was the initial goal when it was created for academical purposes. The creation of more and more TLD's IMO is wrong for example, the web is becoming just another capitalist market parallel to businesses offline. The web was created for informative purposes mainly in the academical world, it took a turn for the worse. I'd say it would be nice if some changes could be reversed, although that said ICANN doesn't seem to be too biased towards one country or another. Countries with very different state forms than the US (eg North Korea, Cuba, China, VietNam, etc) got their own ccTLD and set their own rules for it. At least we gotta credit ICANN for not interfering with countries' own decisions in how to run their own ccTLD's. But yes, for gTLD's such as .com, it's USA law applying.

You're still better off using an offshore register even if you register a domain name that is not an American domain name.

There is a reason why I used "Spain" as an example. America pulled a valid business from "Spain". It caused a lot of debate, but the "final word" (excuse) was that because it was registered in America, it still fell under American law :eek: :rolleyes:

The only way to bypass America is to completely bypass it as though it is not there. Because anything IN America also counts.

I would like the idea of the UN controlling the internet

Heh, I would too if only they can get even a remote consensus among member states on certain issues like, say, censorship. Not likely to happen anytime soon, though.

Think of it this way, folks: the hardware used to manage that domain extension, and the people handling that, are bound by whatever law applies in the jurisdiction they're operating in.

Heh, I would too if only they can get even a remote consensus among member states on certain issues like, say, censorship. Not likely to happen anytime soon, though.


That's up to local authorities, just like ccTLD's already are operated under the laws and rules of the country they belong to.

The main difference if UN controlled the web, would be that the gTLD's would no longer be subject to a country's law specifically (as the US law now applies).

For ccTLD's there'd be little difference since ICANN now already leaves policies up to the country a specific extention belongs to.

The only way to bypass America is to completely bypass it as though it is not there. Because anything IN America also counts.

Time for a new embargo? :D

On a serious note, not sure what you mean with the latter sentence. You gotta keep domain registrations and hosting separated, if you buy a .com domain but your host is in let's say Germany, German law applies to the company providing webspace on their server (the Spanish incident you named is not frequently happening, although granted, it should not happen, period)

Has this new Domain Name been regsitered within the last 60 days?
If so, you will have to wait before transferring it

Also have the new nameservers been given up to 72 hours to propogate across the internet?

Also always good: Internetbs.net
Agreed, a suitable non-US provider
Have to be quick to qualify for the current transfer in prices, before the price change (although as above if new, you will miss that now)
Also you will get 1 year included

I am also looking for a non-US / non-UK domain registrar to transfer my domain to. Ideally, they should be English speaking (i.e., have someone who can respond to an English email), have a price list in dollars, cost around $10 to transfer a .com to and have whois privacy included.

They should also have a track record of having been in business for at least a few years and not have a US office where a subpoena can be easily served. Eastern European origin would be preferable.

I do not care about hosting. I am currently trying to transfer (for over a week now) to internet.bs in the Bahamas which meets most of those requirements but thus far they have been utterly incompetent and I will need to start everything all over.

I am also looking for a non-US / non-UK domain registrar to transfer my domain to. Ideally, they should be English speaking (i.e., have someone who can respond to an English email), have a price list in dollars, cost around $10 to transfer a .com to and have whois privacy included.

They should also have a track record of having been in business for at least a few years and not have a US office where a subpoena can be easily served. Eastern European origin would be preferable.

I do not care about hosting. I am currently trying to transfer (for over a week now) to internet.bs in the Bahamas which meets most of those requirements but thus far they have been utterly incompetent and I will need to start everything all over.

http://www.transip.eu is a credit domain register that is in the Netherlands

They speak English and support seems to be solid. Name servers are offshore too and they also offer offshore hosting.

As a rule of thumb though, I always keep my register and my host separate from one another. Just like I did when I had Godaddy.

I would use namecheap for domains they are great :)

I would use namecheap for domains they are great :)

They're also American.

Which the point of this thread is to avoid American registers

I would use namecheap for domains they are great :)

I'm sure they are except for one small problem - their offices are located in Los Angeles Ca, USA. Did you happen to catch the title of this thread?

I'm sure they are except for one small problem - their offices are located in Los Angeles Ca, USA. Did you happen to catch the title of this thread?I did notice my error, but thanks for letting me know.:agree:

I did notice my error, but thanks for letting me know.:agree:

Well thanks anyways. I did take a look at the transip.eu and they are a candidate but I would like to hopefully see other suggestions than the ones already mentioned in this thread before deciding.

Another UK one: http://www.heartinternet.co.uk

Update- I canceled my transfer with internetbs.net and after much research signed up with 0101domain.com located in Hong Kong. They had everything I listed previously which I was looking for. My domain transfer was flawless with them.

This link which lists all the ICANN accredited registrars by country was a huge help! Hopefully it will be of help to someone else seeking a similar objective. SCRATCH the link, seems I cannot post links due to some arbitrary post count rule but if you Google "ICANN accredited registrars by country" it should pop right up.

Update- I canceled my transfer with internetbs.net and after much research signed up with 0101domain.com located in Hong Kong. They had everything I listed previously which I was looking for. My domain transfer was flawless with them.

This link which lists all the ICANN accredited registrars by country was a huge help! Hopefully it will be of help to someone else seeking a similar objective. SCRATCH the link, seems I cannot post links due to some arbitrary post count rule but if you Google "ICANN accredited registrars by country" it should pop right up.

As long as you're happy.

However, this is the info I get when looking them up

United States
Wilmington, DE
67.15.184.7

Plus they; themselves when with a .com domain name.

If you really want outside USA control, you should not worry about ICANN as they control all American domain name.

As long as you're happy.

However, this is the info I get when looking them up

United States
Wilmington, DE
67.15.184.7




I believe that is where site is hosted, not where they are located. As far as I can tell by looking at their site, their business office and presumably business records are located in Honk Kong, outside the jurisdiction of US courts and US laws such as SOPA, should that ever pass.


Plus they; themselves when with a .com domain name.

If you really want outside USA control, you should not worry about ICANN as they control all American domain name.That's fine, ICANN is a non-profit corporation with its principle place of business in California. Without getting too technical, if someone takes legal action against them in any other state, they will have a difficult time in jumping over jurisdictional hurdles. In other words, if you are in Ohio and want to sue ICANN, you better go do it in California and be prepared to spend some money.

And that's really my motivation in this - to make it as difficult as possible for trolls, jailhouse lawyer types and people who don't know what they are doing from filing frivolous suits and causing legal problems. I already had an experience with some nut threatening to sue over comments someone else made on a website.

I believe that is where site is hosted, not where they are located. As far as I can tell by looking at their site, their business office and presumably business records are located in Honk Kong, outside the jurisdiction of US courts and US laws such as SOPA, should that ever pass.



Wanted: non-US domain registrar

The whole point of this thread is for people to find Non-US registers. If their site is hosted in America, they are subject to American laws.

Don't think so?

Ever heard of Mega Upload ? Founder lived in New Zealand, but site hosted in America.

So by your example, register founded in Asia, but hosted in America.

If you want a true non-US domain registrar... You must proceed as though there is no America. Find a register which is not hosted in America, isn't using American server, none American name servers, isn't own by an American company, and does not use an American domain name (.com / .net. / .org / .info / .us / .biz ect... ect...), and do not register an American domain name yourself.

All domain TLDs (and ccTLDs, I assume also) are controlled by ICANN so how could it possibly be a registrar with no US influence?

All domain TLDs (and ccTLDs, I assume also) are controlled by ICANN
No.
They technically rely upon Icann partly but if they would have 100% CONTROL over them why do .ir .cu .kp (and back in time in cold war also .su .yu .cs .dd) still exist?

I use HEXONET.net (their registrar is 1API) for most of my domains. Their HQ is based in Germany (as is their registrar) and they also have an office in Canada. Very reliable and huge selection of TLDs. Pricing is reasonable. The good thing is you can talk to them and they are willing to help you with pricing and other issues.

All domain TLDs (and ccTLDs, I assume also) are controlled by ICANN so how could it possibly be a registrar with no US influence?

Wrong.

Not all domain names are controlled and govern by ICANN

We can highly recommend http://www.ovh.co.uk. Reliable, powerful, great support, and very competitive pricing. It's the largest host in Europe, surprised it didn't get mentioned before.

No.
They technically rely upon Icann partly but if they would have 100% CONTROL over them why do .ir .cu .kp (and back in time in cold war also .su .yu .cs .dd) still exist?

Wrong.

Not all domain names are controlled and govern by ICANN

Thanks. Didn't know that before. Guess we all learn something new everyday :)

Wrong.

Not all domain names are controlled and govern by ICANN

You mean Alternative DNS roots (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_DNS_root)?

I had a terribly bad experience with OVH. I moved from Germany to Czech Republic and couldn't update my WHOIS data because changing the country of residence was impossible. Epic mistake given how many people relocate cross-border in Europe and still wish to keep their domain while doing so.

Furthermore, choosing a registrar outside of the States is not going to help a single bit if you still register a .com name. If you insist on totally bypassing the US, you need
a) a ccTLD other than .us and avoid all gTLD's
b) a registrar outside of the US
c) a host outside of the US

(not sure about server location. For example Fastmail has servers in the US and Norway as backups, but they are an Australian company with headquarters in Australia itself ; the servers in the US and Norway being backups should there be a technical issue in Australia. Renting a server in the US while remaining an Australian provider I think still makes the user subject to Australian law, although I could be wrong)

.cu and .su by the way are for sale for foreigners too (although .cu is very pricy) and with a bit of bribary you may get a .kp ; these are as far away from .us as you'll ever get ;)

@TheVisitors: Which registrar did you go with? I am too looking for what the OP seeks. Thx :D

Wrong.

Not all domain names are controlled and govern by ICANNCan you name some?

ICANN indirectly controls all domains in the root, since they assign a ccTLD to a registry. They resolve disputes (or delay the resolution, for example the .eh case). Indirectly ICANN is controlling all since they delegate the extentions to a registry, but that registry sets the rules for the extention.

Agree with Gerrit to a certain extent. IANA (iana.org) controls the root. ICANN will receive re-delegation requests once in a while to re-delegate the root zone of a TLD to different primary NS.

Usually the local governments (telecommunications department) of the respective country have full control over their TLD.

That is the ideal situation. In many cases a commercial entity gets appointed by the government to administer the ccTLD on their behalf, and sometimes (.cc, .tv, .nu, .ws, .la, ...) the government even lets a foreign entity administer their ccTLD on their behalf. Sometimes universities run the ccTLD, which I'd say is quite good as the average university is staffed with some experts when it comes to everything IT related. Probably a university is the safest you can get when it comes to running a ccTLD.

In the end however, ICANN can re-delegate the ccTLD if they wish. Recently happened with .so (Somalia) for example. Some domains (eg .kp for North Korea) were not delegated until a few years ago. Some extentions (eg .eh for the Western Sahara) are still not delegated due to ongoing conflicts where ICANN has not taken a decision yet. Similarly, some domains have been on the list to be outphased for years but still are as active as it gets (.su being a good example)