Domain Name FAQs

What is a "custom domain name" and why would my church want one?
I don't own a domain name, but I would like to buy one. How do I do that?
I have already purchased a domain name through another registrar. How do I make it point to my new ForMinistry Web site?
My church owns a domain name, but I don't know who purchased it or from what registrar. Is there a way to find out?
If using ForMinistry is "free", then why do I have to pay for a custom domain name?
What is DNS, registrar, and ISP? Why do I need these things just to make my domain name work?
I purchased my domain name through ForMinistry, how do I transfer to another registrar?
How can I renew my domain name that was previously purchased through ForMinistry.com?
I have questions about my domain name or e-mail services, how can I contact GetYourChurchDomain.com support?
I already have a domain name purchased through ForMinistry.com (prior to May 17, 2004). How do I get new services like Email Pak or ID Protect?
I already have a domain name purchased through ForMinistry.com (prior to May 17, 2004). How do I get full management rights of my domain name to enable the new services, like free email forwarding?

Question: What is a "custom domain name" and why would my church want one?

A custom domain name is a Web address, like www.MyChurch.org, that represents you or your organization. While a domain name is not required for your ForMinistry-powered Web site, there are many advantages to having one. For more info, read: why get a domain name and technical details.

Question: I don't own a domain name, but I would like to buy one. How do I do that?

See the 2 step process at www.ForMinistry.com/help/integrate.dsp .

Question: I have already purchased a domain name through another company. How do I make it point to my new ForMinistry Web site?

If you already have an existing domain name, easily transfer your domain to our partner www.GetYourChurchDomain.com . The cost is only $15.99 and includes a full year and free services. Just go to www.GetYourChurchDomain.com and click QUICK Transfers.

Once the transfer has been completed, please go to www.ForMinistry.com/help/integrate.dsp and follow step #2 to add your domain to the ForMinistry site.

Notice! If your domain name was purchased within the last 60 days or will expire within the next 60 days, It cannot be transferred (see ICANN). Please submit a question to our support staff at http://support.forministry.com for other directions.

Question: My church owns a domain name, but I don't know who purchased it or from what registrar. Is there a way to find out?

Go to http://www.netsol.com/cgi-bin/whois/whois and type in your Domain name (e.g., mychurch.org). The resulting page will list the Registrant, Administrative and Technical Contacts, or will provide a URL to the Registrar who would have this information.

The Registrant Contact is usually the person who purchased the domain name and is regarded as the owner of the domain name. The Administrative Contact is a role (or person) who is authorized by the Registrant to interact with the Registrar on behalf of the Registrant. The Technical Contact is a role (or person) who has authority to instruct the Registrar to change technical information like Name Server entries.

Question: If using ForMinistry is "free," then why do I have to pay $15.99 a year for a custom domain name?

While there is not an up-front cost to use ForMinistry. ForMinistry is donor-supported and your generous financial contributions make it possible for us to serve churches worldwide, even those lacking the funds to buy services from other Web providers. Please support ForMinistry so that we can continue our mission to equip the Church online and reach people around the globe.

There IS a cost to have a custom domain name. That's because a custom domain name must be purchased from a Domain Name Registrar. Purchasing and managing a domain name for your ForMinistry site is a service provided by a partnership we have with www.GetYourChurchDomain.com . www.GetYourChurchDomain.com is charging $15.99/year for this service.

We strongly recommend purchasing a custom domain name for your ForMinistry Web site. The site ID generated by our system was never intended to be used as a Web address to be publicized. It is simply a way for our system to manage hundreds of thousands of distinct Web sites.

In summary: you are not required to purchase a domain name in order to have a ForMinistry Web site. However, you will be well-served if you register a Web address that captures your church's name and is easy to remember for people who see it in on your business cards, stationery, service bulletins, signage and print advertising or hear it on the radio.

Question: What is DNS, registrar, and ISP? Why do I need these things just to make my domain name work?

The three key components to making your domain name work are

having a registrar,
purchasing DNS services, and
using a Web hosting provider.

All three of these components need to communicate with each other in order to make your domain name work.
Registrar: This is the company through which you purchase the domain name. If you don't already own a domain name, you can purchase your domain name through ForMinistry, which would make us your registrar. Some churches already own a domain name, which they purchased through companies like Network Solutions or GoDaddy.

Domain name service: DNS is short for Domain Name Service. This is a service that correlates domain names with Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. This is a necessary service because people don't like to remember addresses like 192.168.1.1, but we can remember names like www.mychurch.org. DNS handles the translation from the human-friendly names to the computer-friendly IP addresses. Often, the registrar will provide the DNS services as well, but not always, and it usually requires additional costs. If you purchase your domain name through ForMinistry, we provide basic DNS services at no extra cost.

Web hosting provider: This is where your Web site resides. (In your case, your church site resides on the ForMinistry servers).

Question: I purchased my domain through ForMinistry, how do I transfer to another registrar?

If you purchased your domain name before May 17, 2004 through ForMinistry.com (not through www.GetYourChurchDomain.com), please follow the below steps to transfer your domain name.

Note: Regulations prohibit transferring a domain name that has been registered within the last 60 days. Also, we cannot process transfers on domains that are set to expire within 10 days from today.

Step 1: Please fax the below information to (703) 852-4334. Domain transfers will not be accepted unless ForMinistry has written approval from the individual who purchased the domain name.

Name, address, phone number and e-mail address of the person who registered the domain name.
Domain name seeking to transfer and written approval for the transfer.
Reason for transferring domain name.
Signed and dated.

Step 2: Find a registrar to transfer the domain (Example www.godaddy.com)

Step 3: Please follow the directions provided by the new registrar who will send the initial transfer notice.

Step 4: With the signed letter, ForMinistry will approve the transfer.

Reason why your Domain name cannot be transferred?

A. The original registration took place less than sixty (60) days prior to the transfer request.
B. The domain name has been placed in a locked status by either the Registry or by the losing registrar.
C. The domain name expired but was not renewed.
D. The domain name expired and was renewed during the forty-five (45) day grace period, and the forty-five (45) day grace period has not yet passed.
E. The Domain Name Registrant was changed less than sixty (60) days prior to the transfer request.
F. Any pending bankruptcy of the current domain name holder.
G. Any dispute over the identity of the domain name holder.
H. Transfer orders over thirty (30) days old.

Question: How can I renew my domain name that was purchased through ForMinistry.com?

ForMinistry recently partnered with www.GetYourChurchDomain.com to offer domain name and e-mail services. With this new partnership, all domain names purchased through ForMinistry.com (before May 17, 2004) were transferred to www.GetYourChurchDomain.com allowing full management rights, new features and saved costs. When the domain names were transferred, ForMinistry automatically renewed every domain for another year.

If your domain name was automatically renewed for another year, we would be grateful for a small donation to help cover the costs. Any help would be appreciated and your support enables our ministry to offer free church Web sites and make an impact worldwide.

To obtain management rights to your domain, please follow the steps below:

Go to www.getyourchurchdomain.com and create a new account.
After the account has been created, send an e-mail (from the owners e-mail address who purchased the domain) to support@GetYourChurchDomain.com with the Login ID and domain name.
The GetYourChurchDomain.com support staff will provide full management access to your domain.

Question: I have questions about my domain name or e-mail services, how can I contact GetYourChurchDomain.com support?

You should be able to find your answer at the illustrated help site at support@GetYourChurchDomain.com .

Question: I already have a domain name purchased through ForMinistry.com (prior to May 17, 2004). How do I get new services like E-mail Pak or ID Protect?

ForMinistry recently partnered with www.GetYourChurchDomain.com to offer domain name and e-mail services. With this new partnership, all domain names purchased through ForMinistry.com (before May 17, 2004) were transferred to www.GetYourChurchDomain.com allowing full management rights, new features and saved costs.When the domain names were transferred, ForMinistry automatically renewed every domain for another year.

To obtain management rights to purchase new services like Email Paks or ID Protect, please follow the steps below.

Go to www.getyourchurchdomain.com and create a new account.
After the account has been created, send an e-mail (from the owners e-mail address who purchased the domain*) to support@GetYourChurchDomain.com with the Login ID and domain name.
The GetYourChurchDomain.com support staff will reply with full management access to your domain.

*If the owner of the domain (the person who purchased the domain) cannot be contacted, please send an e-mail to support@GetYourChurchDomain.com who will provide further instructions.

Question: I already have a domain name purchased through ForMinistry.com (prior to May 17, 2004). How do I get full management rights of my domain name to enable the new services, like free email forwarding?

To obtain management rights to enable new services like free email forwarded, please follow the steps below.

Go to www.getyourchurchdomain.com and create a new account.
After the account has been created, send an e-mail (from the owners e-mail address who purchased the domain*) to support@GetYourChurchDomain.com with the Login ID and domain name.
The GetYourChurchDomain.com support staff will reply with full management access to your domain.

*If the owner of the domain (the person who purchased the domain) cannot be contacted, please send an e-mail to support@GetYourChurchDomain.com who will provide further instructions.