The register is the central database where all domain names are stored. Access is only available to registration agents accredited by ICANN, a non-profit organisation working to guarantee a stable global internet, from where we must proceed with registration. We can find out through them whether the name we want is available before contracting the use of the domain for a certain period. At present we can register our .barcelona domain through various companies, which compete with each other on pricing, extra services and customer support. Here you can find a full list of accredited registration companies offering the .barcelona domain.

But what if we want to change the registration company without losing our domain? Is that possible? The answer is yes, we can freely transfer the domain name from one registration company to another. ICANN transfer policy is designed to increase domain registration options and foster competition between registration companies.

There is only one main requisite, and that is that 60 days must have elapsed since the date of registration of the last transfer. The expiry of the domain should also be taken into account. The change of registration takes between 5 and 10 days and so if the domain contract is about to expire we might not be in time.

There are four simple steps to transferring a domain name:

1. Ask your current registration company to unblock the domain and provide the authorisation code.
2. Give this to the new registration company.
3. Confirm the transfer of the domain.
4. Wait a few days until the process is completed.

During this process, and in the days following the change of registration, our .barcelona website should continue to function and there shouldn’t be any technical or bureaucratic issues for us. Both companies, the current provider and the new one, receive notification. This makes the process more transparent and reduces the possibility of fraudulent transfers.

For more information on the policy for domain transfers between ICANN-accredited registration companies click here.