Domain name -- when to renew with host provider and for how long?

Is it possible to get a domain name for 5 years?

[serengeti]

Hello! I got a free domain name for a year when I signed up for a year-long contract with my host provider (for two different websites -- same host provider).

However, both my web hosting contract and domain name expire some time this year.

I will probably stay with my current host provider, but is it possible for me to renew my domain name right now in advance for the next 5 years without using my host provider like I did before? How? Is it even possible to get a domain name for five years in advance? Where is it cheapest to do this as it seems like their are many places out there that offer to get you a domain name.

In case I changed host provider, could they cause me problems if they registered the domain name under their name rather than mine (I am not sure about which name the domain is registered under, but I assume its mine and not the host provider's?).

Thanks.

[LifeinAsia]

You can register domains for up to 10 years (possibly even 20?). There are a number of registrars that register domains for less than $10/year.

Definitely make the switch soon. Most registrars don't allow transfers within a certain amount of time before the expiration date. Also, your current registrar may drag their heels and delay the transfer as long as possible.

[serengeti]

So if my host provider gave me the domain name (registered it for me), do I have to go through them (i.e., the host provider) to do this or can I do this with any registrar or only with the registrar that my host provider used in the first place?

I don't know which registrar they used, but they just told me that the domain is registered under my name and not the host provider's thankfully.

[LifeinAsia]

Use the WHOIS function of almost any registrar to lookup your registration information. You can transfer the domain to any registrar you want. If you get any crap about them not being able to transfer it (except for the time issue previously mentioned), immediately threaten to file a complain with ICANN.

[serengeti]

Thanks for your help. I am a bit confused about this transfer business because:

I am NOT transferring my web host provider. Just want to renew my domain name for a longer timea few months before it expire. Are you saying that what you recommend won't affect my web hosting and the renewed domain name will still point to my current host provider even if I switch/transfer to a different registrar.

Or I can renew with the same registrar that my host provider has me with, in which case their is no issue of transfer right?

So I just gotta ask my host provider about which registrar they used for my domain name registering?

Sorry if I sound like an idiot!

[LifeinAsia]

It's 2 separate issues:
1) domain registrar
2) hosting provider

Many companies provide both (or combine both into a package). But in general one has nothing to do with the other.

If you do switch to a new registrar, you will have to transfer your DNS information to the new registrar (which is why you need the WHOIS information).

You can always check with your current hosting provider and see how much they will charge for the renewal. If it's not excessive, then it's probably easier to just stay with them. If it's ridiculous (many companies offer free or very cheap domain registrations for the first year then jack up the prices after that because they figure most people won't know enough to change), then transfer to another provider.