Overview
The following provides answers to commonly asked questions regarding domain registrations.
FAQs
Do I need to transfer my registration to DreamHost?
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No. While this is an optional step, it's highly recommended. Having your domain registration and hosting plan located at the same company makes it much easier to manage and keep track of all aspects of your domain.
Can DreamHost transfer my registration for me?
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No. All transfers must be performed by the customer.
Are DNS records copied to DreamHost when I transfer a domain?
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No. Transferring a domain only moves the registration. Your DNS continues to be controlled at the company where your nameservers are pointing.
If you point your nameservers to DreamHost, any custom DNS records configured at your current host will no longer function. These records must be recreated in your DreamHost panel before you point your DNS to DreamHost.
Where can I find pricing for transfers and renewals?
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See the following for the latest pricing information:
Please note that the price of a transfer may differ from that of a renewal.
Will the registration time period change?
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In most cases, transferring your domain registration adds a one-year renewal to the current registration expiration date, so no registration time is lost. This renewal is active once the transfer-in is completed.
See this sheet for more information about registration time periods for specific TLDs.
What registrations cannot be transferred in?
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DreamHost only allows certain supported TLDs to be transferred in. The following TLDs are not supported for incoming transfers at DreamHost: .AM, .AT, .BZ, .FM, .JP, .NGO, .ONG, .OOO, .PLACE and .WS.
For more information, visit DreamHost's TLD webpage for a current list of domain extensions with pricing.
Will there be any downtime?
Any downtime to your website would be caused by DNS changes or an expired registration.
DNS changes
See this article to confirm where your domain registration's DNS records are currently pointing.
DNS is using DreamHost's nameservers
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If your domain registration is already using DreamHost's nameservers, you will not experience any downtime. Once the transfer completes, your site and its services will continue to function at DreamHost.
DNS is NOT using DreamHost's nameservers
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If your domain registration's nameservers are pointing to a different company, your website, and its services will continue to function the same at that company.
If you want to host your website at DreamHost, you must point your DNS to DreamHost.
- If you point your nameservers to DreamHost after the transfer has been completed, downtime may occur due to DNS propagation.
- Make sure to point your nameserver before beginning the transfer, as changes to nameservers cannot be made while a domain transfer is in progress.
Transferring an expired domain
If your domain registration expires during the transfer process, your site will go offline until the transfer is complete. To avoid this, it's recommended you initiate a transfer at least a month before your domain's expiration date.
Not all registrars allow expired domains to be transferred. If your domain is approaching an expiration date, check with your registrar first to see if they allow you to transfer an expired domain.