What if your Domain Registar goes out of business?

[Herath]

Maybe I am just too paranoid and possesive about this really cool domain name I own.

The registar that I have this domain name is a small company. What happens when a registar goes out of business? Do they just transfer their customers to another registar?

[EliteWeb]

I dont think any registrar would ever just close doors without selling their stuff to another company. I am sure there are ICANN rules for registrars on rules they have to follow but im not aware of them :D

[Herath]

Thanks EliteWeb

[amznVibe]

This thread is a little old but I wanted to point out something important:

A registrar is the top level business next to the registry.
If you are talking about a smaller business they are probably a *reseller* for a registrar.

Most registrars if one of their resellers goes out of business they will push the accounts to another reseller. The worst thing that can happen to you is that your renewal prices go up, but then you can always transfer.

Just make sure your domain is truly registered to you, with your own email address and not the business you bought it from (if they are listed as a technical contact that is fine).

[mbauser2]

ICANN is working on it:

[icann.org...]

[rdearchive.com...]

ICANN's standard contracts require all registrars to escrow their customers' domain data, but ICANN is bad at enforcing its contracts. If you want to know your registrar's policies, ask the registrar.

[nakulgoyal]

I remember one of the registrars I was using closed down long back. I transferred the domain immed. to OpenSRS and it works fine. I even got an extra year for free Dont know how and where from! I paid for 1 year transfer and I got domain renewed for 2 years. Maybe a Bonus for the Registrar Closing. :-)