Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Domain Names : Question about domain registrant

[KindaConfused]

I have a question. The registrant for my domain name is the domain name, but my name is the admin contact. I guess my question is that should my domain name be the registrant? Thanks for the help!!

[everity]

Ideally, your name should be both the Registrant and the Admin contact.

[KindaConfused]

Does it really matter, or should I change it? Thanks!

[everity]

You should change it for sure. It is very important to have domains in your name. Otherwise, you risk losing them.

[KindaConfused]

Okay! I just went to my domain provider website and went under "manage my domain", and put my name in for the registrant/organization, and clicked "update". So, I should be good now, right?

[everity]

Yes. I checked your whois record and it is in your name, so that is good.

[KindaConfused]

I just checked my whois, and it's not in my name yet. What site did you use? And how did you know my site?

[everity]

I saw your other thread, where you posted your domain name. I used my own site to check your domain's whois record. I can't post the link because its against the rules, but suffice it to say that your domain name record has been updated with your name.

[KindaConfused]

Awesome!! Thank you so much for the help!!! Oh! One other thing. Under all the contact info on "manage my domain", it says to put your last name first and your first name last, with a comma separating them. My name isn't like that under any of them. I didn't ever type them either, that's how it was from day one. Should I change that too?

[everity]

I think its ok the way it is. The whois record I'm looking at has the format "FirstName LastName" for the Registrant, and "LastName, FirstName" for the Admin and Technical contacts. Either way it looks correct.

The most important thing is to make sure your email address is up-to-date. If you ever want to transfer your domain name, they will send confirmation to the admin contact email address, so you will need to be able to check that.

[KindaConfused]

Okay! Thanks! I just want to make sure everything is perfect, because I am transferring tomorrow. So, I'm good to go?

[everity]

Yeah, everything looks good. I would suggest doing everything in the following order:

1. Transfer your site to your new host.
2. Update the nameservers for your domain.
3. Transfer the domain to your new registrar.

The reason you want to update nameservers before starting the domain transfer is that transfers can sometimes take a few days, and you may not be able to change the nameservers during that time, which could cause your site to be down if you cancel the old hosting.

Good luck with everything.

[KindaConfused]

Thanks so much!!! How do I update the nameservers? I have all ready started the domain transfer, but I'm not going to get a new host for about a week. I just figured I might as well transfer the domain, then the website.

[everity]

If you have already started the transfer you will be able to update nameservers at your new registrar once the transfer has completed. I am not sure who your new registrar is, but they should have an interface when you log in that lets you do this.

Your new host will give you the nameservers to use.

[KindaConfused]

Okay! I have another question. I've started the transfer, but I have gotten stuck on one step. It says that my domain is on lock or hold, so I can't complete the transfer. Why is my domain on lock? My old registrar has already given me the authorization code. Wouldn't they have taken it off lock when I asked for the code, or does it take a few days for it not to become locked? Thanks!!