Domain Transfer FAQs

Where is my domain registered?

Your domain provider (or Registrar) is the company or platform that hosts your custom domain name.

You will need to know who your domain provider is to:

• Connect your domain to your new Brighter Vision website.
• Transfer your domain to Brighter Vision.
• Change your domain's email provider (i.e. Webmail, Hushmail, Google Workspace, etc.).

If you are not sure where your domain is registered, you can find out by a quick search on ICANN Lookup.

After typing your domain name into the box and clicking Lookup, the page will refresh containing the registration data for your domain.

Scroll down to the Registrar Information section to clearly see who currently hosts your domain name, as shown here:

In the above example, the domain is registered with GoDaddy.

You can also use Whois if your domain name is not appearing on ICANN.

Why should I transfer my domain to Brighter Vision?

Many of our clients find it much easier to keep as many aspects of their websites managed by as few accounts as possible.

When you transfer your domain name to us, our Support Team can help with far more issues that may occur with your website, webmail, or domain settings.

Plus, as a bonus, it won't cost you anything to transfer your first domain name to us. All of our website packages include one free domain name hosted by Brighter Vision.

To learn more and get started, visit Transferring Domains to Brighter Vision.

Will I still own my domain if transfer it to Brighter Vision?

Absolutely! A domain transfer is simply a change of service provider, from one registrar to another. It is not a change of ownership.

With Brighter Vision, you remain the  Registrant for your domain no matter who your Registrar is. When you transfer your domain name, you’re just choosing a different company to help manage your domain's registration, renewal, and settings.

Think of it like changing cell phone carriers; after the switch, you will still have the same phone and maybe even the same phone number, but you will be using another company's towers and infrastructure.

Is my domain eligible for transfer?

Before starting the transfer process, ensure your domain meets these requirements from Brighter Vision and ICANN, the organization that oversees domain registration:

• Your domain must be unlocked.
• You must have a valid Transfer Authorization Code (EPP Code) from your current registrar.
• Sixty (60) days must have elapsed since you registered or transferred the domain with your current provider, or even updated your contact information.

You can find tutorials on how to unlock your domain and obtain an authorization code from your current registrar, here: Transferring Domains to Brighter Vision.

How long does a domain transfer take?

The speed of your domain transfer depends on your current domain provider. Some domains transfer within one day, while others can take closer to 14 days to complete.

Most standard transfers take up to seven days.

When can I close my account with my previous domain provider?

In most cases, you can close your domain account with your previous provider after the transfer is complete. However, we recommend contacting your previous provider before canceling to ensure that you won't lose access to any special features, such as email or other add-ons that may be applicable.

How much does it cost to transfer my domain to Brighter Vision?

All of our website packages include one (1) free domain name hosted by Brighter Vision.

Then, it's only $15 per year ($1.25 per month) for each additional domain we host or purchase.

Will the email(s) connected to my domain transfer with my domain name?

No. Not automatically.

Many of our clients do not wish to change email providers, however, this is something that can be done manually if you'd like to transfer your email accounts over along with your domain name. For more information on how to do this, see Migrating Emails from Your Old Host to Brighter Vision Webmail.

If you use a 3rd party email platform and do not wish to change providers, there are certain steps we can take to ensure your email account(s) remain active and untouched.

When you contact our team to request your domain transfer,  please let them know if you have any email accounts on your domain at this time. This will help ensure all of the proper steps are taken to transfer your domain with or without your emails.

Can I transfer an expired domain?

Yes. You can transfer an expired domain name if it is still in the registrar's renewal grace period. Grace periods differ by registrar and domain name extension. However, once the status indicates that the domain name is in registry redemption, you can no longer transfer it.

When transferring a domain name during the renewal grace period, you have two choices:

1. You can renew your domain name with your current registrar, and then initiate the transfer to move it to Brighter Vision.
2. You can get the authorization code for the expired domain name from your current registrar, and then initiate the transfer to move it to Brighter Vision.

Contact your current registrar for renewal instructions or to get an authorization code, then initiate the transfer with us.

For more information, see Transferring Domains to Brighter Vision.

What if I don't have an Authorization Code for my transfer?

You must have the authorization code from your current registrar. We are not able to complete a domain transfer without a Transfer Authorization Code, also known as an EPP Code, Auth code, or Transfer code.

For more information, or to learn how to retrieve this code, see Transferring Domains to Brighter Vision.