One of the almost important steps in creating a dandy website is choosing the correct domain name. Pop domain names go quickly — so, once you've found a bang-up fit for your site, employ a domain name search to make certain it'south not taken, or pay the request price if the owner is looking to sell.

Finding an available proper name isn't enough, still, since you lot also demand to register your domain name with a domain name organisation (DNS) registrar. In some cases, your registrar can too be your spider web hosting service, but this isn't required — you can choose to host and register your site with different providers.

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Simply what happens if you want to change your domain registrar? That'southward where a domain transfer comes into play.

What is a domain transfer?

A domain transfer is the process of switching your domain name from 1 registrar to another. To be eligible for a transfer, you must take been with your current registrar for at least sixty days, since ICANN enforces a lx-day Modify of Registrant lock.

You might want to initiate a domain transfer for a number of reasons. Maybe your current registrar has all of a sudden increased their prices, or your site is taking more than time to load. Maybe you've found a ameliorate deal somewhere else and prefer to consolidate multiple domains under a unmarried DNS registrar.

Whatever the reason, nosotros've got you covered. Here'southward a pace-by-footstep guide on how to transfer a domain.

How to Transfer a Domain

  1. Update your contact information.
  2. Set up your electronic mail sending domain proper noun.
  3. Unlock your domain.
  4. Asking an authority code.
  5. Brand certain your domain is eligible for a transfer.
  6. Create an account with your new registrar.
  7. Enter the authorization code.
  8. Qualify the domain transfer.
  9. Pay for your domain transfer.
  10. Finalize the domain transfer.
  11. Determine on a public or private domain.
  12. Abolish your previous service.

1. Update your contact data.

Both the registrar you're leaving and your new DNS registry provider will need to contact you lot during the transfer process. As a result, it's critical that your contact information is upward to engagement.

GoDaddy's Domains Menu for managing and transferring domains

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Log in to your electric current registrar's control console and bank check your account details. Make sure your name, phone number, and physical accost are all right — any missing information could crusade the transfer to take longer or be rejected.

ii. Prepare your email sending domain name.

Your domain registrar frequently provides email service tied to your domain name — this lets you send emails to and from addresses like you@yoursite.com and tin help grow your brand or business.

But, when you transfer to some other registrar, these email accounts are typically deactivated which potentially leaves y'all out of the loop. Make sure y'all have a backup email address ready to go earlier starting the transfer procedure.

3. Unlock your domain.

Look for the "unlock domain" option in your registrar'southward control console. Every provider is different, but you'll often observe it nether the "Domain" or "Security" section of the main account screen.

Domains are locked by default to prevent accidental changes or deletion. You may exist able to unlock your domain with a unmarried click, or yous may need to request transmission unlocking from your registrar directly.

Once your domain is unlocked, you're able to transfer the name to another registrar.

4. Request an dominance lawmaking.

To transfer your domain, you'll need an authorization lawmaking (besides called an Auth-Code, Auth-Info Code, or AuthInfo Code). This code is in that location to protect your domain from being transferred by an unauthorized party.

Additionally, this code serves as the bridge between your onetime registrar and your new provider and must be supplied within 5 days of your request, typically by email. Some registrars let auto-generation of codes directly from their command panels.

GoDaddy's Additional Settings menu for requesting an authorization code

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v. Make sure your domain is eligible for a transfer.

Per ICANN rules, if you've created or transferred your domain proper noun in the last 60 days, it'due south not eligible for a transfer. Do the math earlier making the switch to ensure you're not wasting your time.

half-dozen. Create an account with your new registrar.

Next, caput to your new registrar and make an account. Observe its transfer service page and enter the domain name you're transferring. The "www" isn't required — simply enter the name of your domain and its suffix, such as .com, .cyberspace, .info, etc.

7. Enter the authorization lawmaking.

Enter the authorization lawmaking that was provided by your previous registrar. Double-check the lawmaking and make sure you lot entered information technology exactly every bit provided — if the code doesn't friction match, your transfer won't exist successful and y'all may need to offset over.

eight. Authorize the domain transfer.

One time you lot enter the authorisation code, you'll be contacted by both your onetime registrar and your new provider. Yous'll be asked to confirm your contact details and officially corroborate the transfer. Ensure the contact info yous've provided to both registrars is correct and exist prepared to answer questions about why you're leaving your current service.

ix. Pay for your domain transfer.

Now you'll need to pay for your domain name transfer, typically using a credit card or online service like PayPal. Your new provider may crave you to pay for a yr of service, only it's also possible to discover promotions that offer the first yr for free.

10. Finalize the domain transfer.

One time the domain is released by your original provider, your new registrar will need fourth dimension to configure your domain and servers. This typically takes anywhere from a few days to a calendar week. During this time, your website should remain accessible from your previous registrar.

Finalizing the transfer

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11. Decide on a public or private domain.

Some providers permit you lot to obscure public WHOIS information for your website. When searched, your website volition return contact information for your registrar rather than your personal details. This is useful if you're running a business out of your home or don't desire your phone number displayed. However, private domains are more expensive than public domains.

12. Cancel your previous service.

Don't deactivate your old registrar service until your new account is running and your domain is fully transferred. Once y'all've confirmed that everything works, cancel your quondam service to ensure y'all're no longer being charged.

Transferring Your Domain Name: FAQs and Troubleshooting

How long does a domain transfer take?

The domain transfer process usually takes five to vii days, simply information technology tin can have longer if your information is out-of-appointment or they tin't verify your identity.

Is it free to transfer a domain?

No, although the fee and structure varies. Some registrars, like GoDaddy, accuse a apartment fee for the transfer itself. All registrars will charge y'all a registration fee when your domain is upwardly for renewal. Some volition bundle both costs (renewal and transfer fee) together.  You too take the selection to annals a domain proper name for free.

I don't know who my DNS registrar is. What do I do?

Look upward your domain proper name on the ICANN Lookup tool. Under the "REGISTRAR INFORMATION" title, you will find out the name of your registrar.

I've just purchased a domain. Why can't I transfer it to another registrar?

Your DNS registrar has placed your domain proper noun under a lx-day Modify of Registrant lock. Additionally, if you've recently fabricated a previous transfer, y'all tin't change your registrar for the next 60 days.

How do I get an authorisation code? Where tin can I find this lawmaking?

Every DNS registrar will exist different, so we've compiled a list of helpful links to help you get an Auth-Code. Find your registrar's specific teaching below:

  • GoDaddy
  • BlueHost
  • Domain.com
  • HostGator
  • NameCheap
  • DreamHost
  • Shopify

My domain proper name registrar denied my asking. Why? What do I do?

There are a few reasons why your request may have been denied.

In that location could be a discrepancy between your information and that of the domain owner. Alternatively, they tin't verify that you're the owner. Make sure your contact information is up to date, and exist sure to send what they need from you (ID, domain purchase receipt, and so on).

The domain name owner may have sent an objection to the transfer. If y'all're not the domain proper name owner, be sure to arrive contact with them to resolve the upshot.

If you owe your DNS registrar any fees from previous domain purchases, they may have put your domain proper noun on hold. Exist sure to pay any outstanding amount owed.

Your domain name may withal be under "Lock" in your portal. Make sure this setting is gear up on "Unlocked."

Alternatively, you may be under the lx-day Change of Registrant lock, in which case y'all'll have to expect 60 days to make the transfer.

What if my domain has expired? Can I nevertheless transfer information technology to another registrar?

Yes. If your domain has recently expired, yous can however transfer it to another registrar. Y'all'll need to renew it with your current registrar, then initiate the transfer.

Make sure that the domain proper noun hasn't been deleted by your current registrar and that you lot're still in the Redemption Grace Period (upwards to lx days after expiration). If more sixty days have passed, your expired domain may be made available for purchase to the public.

With your domain transferred and ready to go, it'southward fourth dimension to create a solid SEO strategy that volition drive organic traffic to your website. Download our SEO Starter Pack to revamp or jumpstart your SEO efforts.

Editor'south note: This post was originally published in February 2022 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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Originally published Feb 3, 2022 7:00:00 AM, updated Feb 03 2021