im not certin this is relovent to 'networking' but ill let the admins decide that
i just eanted to come to you guys first, beafore i ask my providers, as yous wont profit from giving me bad info :P

is it possible to purchace a domain name outright?

a friend has said that names can be purcheced for arround £100, they (nomnet i asssume) will send you a certificate and that domain is yours forevermore.

i ask because i would like to change my providers and my isp to one company and i dont want to have to end up paying a small fortune for hosting servaces i dont need cus im caught in a legal loopback.

Unless I have missed something along the way, you can lease a domain name. The current structure that is in place allows you to maintain control over a domain name for periods of time. You are not able to buy a name for ever.

Much like an IP address you don't own an IP address, you have rights to use the address but thats about the extent of it.

One of the biggest things to remember is that you are not stuck with the name nor does it have to be hosted specifically by any one company or ISP. I personally use http://www.godaddy.com/ for my domain purchases and have had great service. You are able to change name server host addresses renew your domain lease and much more from the web interface. If you decide to sell your domain rights, they also provide the means for domain transfer from one entity to the next.

As far as a certificate, I guess that would depend on the company that you lease through. I received an email and that was about it.

Hope that helps.