2. Logging into OpenSRS

Should you discover your domain need renewing or decide you want to check your domain in Tucows/OpenSRS there are two different platforms you can check

To access the old system, go to https://resellers.opensrs.net and you'll see the login screen below:

and the newer login screen at http://manage.opensrs.com

Hopefully you will find your username and password in your email, if you're having difficulty in locating it, request a password reminder and you'll be given a clue as to where the email will be sent.  If you have had your domain with us for a long time, this is likely to be a @spamshield.domains address

Several years ago scammers used to send inflated "domain renewal notices" in the post and by email, what was usually around $15 per year with OpenSRS, the scammers wanted $80 for year to renew the same domain name.  As a result we used our own postal address, phone/fax and email address, if you do find out your reminder email has been sent to a @spamshield.domains or @whois-privacy.email address, please contact us and we will sort this out for you

A client also lost control of the email address they used for their domain, which caused a massive headache for them, so a @spamshield.domains address was used instead.  They're used to be a process of updating your email address, but was cumbersome and stressful for the person involved, as it took a while to update, so we started using @spamshield.domains addresses instead, especially as we know what was a scam or what was real

If you need to renew a domain, you're likely to need to go though the "top up process" you'll see your current balance and an "Add funds" option.  This will be charged in US Dollars USD with an additional charge of a card handling fee of 3%, you should also check with your bank that they don't make a charge for non-sterling GBP transactions

Back in 2000 OpenSRS was a very popular system, but the top-up style system is quite tiresome, so just like your electric and gas, you're able to transfer your domain to another provider who might be able to charge your bank card every year (assuming it doesn't expire).  If you do plan on keeping your domain for some time, we'd recommend topping up your domain for more than a year, the maximum length of time you can have is 10 years including the time already on the domain

Here are the annual charges at the time of writing with OpenSRS

Don't forget to remember the 3% card handling fee or if your bank makes a charge for non-sterling GBP transactions

A UK based company that also uses OpenSRS is Fasthosts

As Fasthosts also use OpenSRS, your transfer should happen quite quickly

Should you wish to transfer a .com, .org or .net domain - you will need to remove any WHOIS privacy protection, unlock your domain and request a AUTH code and provide that code to the company you wish to transfer to

If you wish to transfer a .co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk or .uk domain you will need to change the Nominet TAG, OpenSRS uses the TAG TUCOWS-CA you should get the new TAG from whoever you transfer your domain with

If your domain has the DNS servers of ns1.systemsdns.com, ns2.systemdns.com and ns3.systemdns.com we need to advise you that this DNS system is provided by OpenSRS but if your DNS is ns1.co19dns.net up to ns8.co19dns.net, ns11.co19dns.net to ns18.co19dns.net or dns1.co19dns.net to dns4.co19dns.net then the DNS for your domain is with us

Do not transfer your domain (yet) if you see your domain using ns1.systemdns.com, ns2.systemdns.com to ns3.systemdns.com.  This service is provided by OpenSRS and upon transfer, your DNS system will be deleted.  You need to make a note of all your DNS settings and import them (probably copy and pasting them into a new system) before you transfer, if you do not do this stage - your domain may cease to work upon successful transfer.  Pay particular attention to A, AAAA, CNAME and MX records, without these your website will stop working and your email will stop working without MX records

While there's no change between having your domain with OpenSRS and another provider, there is an actual exchange, it's not like providing new meter readings to your new provider. You will receive an update by the gaining registrar when the transfer is complete.  You will then update your DNS and pay domain fees with the gaining registrar

If your webhosting is with us, we can migrate your DNS into our system.  

Additional information about transferring your domain can be found on https://tucowsdomains.com/help/domain-transfers/transfer-my-domain/