Just a cautionary note for those interested in getting a domain name through the domain registry of america. Dont let your renewal lapse by even a day, you may find that you no longer have a domain name.
With any registrar make sure you update 14 days before expiry if you want to change providers (dns) as you are not permitted to change the name server within 14 days of expiry!
We have definately lost our domain now, we cancelled the cheque that they should have already had and changed by now. Least we get our money back that way. We have organised an alternative name now which should be online in the future.