Domain Naming Authorities have in place various security measurements to ensure that no-one can steal your domain, and only the Internet Service Provider (ISP) can change any details about your domain.

This means that before Scotland Online can receive your domain from another ISP we need your written authority to accept the domain.

If your domain ends in .co.uk, .org.uk, .ltd.uk or .plc.uk –

These domains are registered by the British Domain Naming Authority called NOMINET UK. All domains registered with NOMINET have an IPStag, which contains the name of the ISP which has authority to make changes to your domain. To transfer your domain, your current ISP must be told to change the IPStag to SOL.

Your current ISP has to make this change as Scotland Online cannot take over management of your domain until the IPStag has been changed. Most ISPs will require you to send them this authorisation in writing, on headed notepaper.

Until the ISP who currently hosts your domain has changed the IPStag to SOL we cannot do anything with the domain (receive email etc.). You should also request that your current ISP does not delete the zone file for at least 7 days to avoid any problems during the move.

If your domain ends in .com, .org or .net

These domains are registered by the International Domain Naming Authority called INTERNIC. Each domain registered with INTERNIC has technical contact details for the ISP who can change details regarding the domain.

When a domain is transferred Scotland Online will contact INTERNIC by email requesting the change. INTERNIC then contact your existing ISP by email to ensure that this change has been authorised.

Due to the communications which have to be sent back and forward, the process of transferring a domain using INTERNIC can sometimes be a lengthy procedure.