How to Transfer Domain Ownership: Step-by-Step Guide

Transferring a domain name to a new owner involves several steps to ensure a smooth process. Here’s what you need to know:

Why Transfer a Domain? Common reasons include business sales, cost savings, service consolidation, or internal changes.
Pre-Transfer Checklist: Ensure the domain is at least 60 days old, unlocked, privacy protection is off, and you have the authorization (EPP) code.
Steps to Transfer:
1. Verify and update contact details.
2. Disable privacy protection.
3. Unlock the domain.
4. Get the transfer code from your current registrar.
5. Choose a new registrar and initiate the transfer.
6. Approve verification emails.
After Transfer: Update DNS settings, configure nameservers, and verify everything works (website, email, etc.).

Domain transfers usually take 5–7 days, but careful preparation can speed things up. Follow these steps to avoid disruptions and ensure a successful transfer.

Transferring Domains: What You Need to Know

Getting Ready for Transfer

Before starting a domain transfer, there are a few steps you need to take to make sure everything goes smoothly. Also, check the specific rules of your registrar to avoid any delays.

Check Transfer Rules

To be eligible for a transfer:

The domain must not have been transferred or had major updates in the last 60 days.

Important: Changes to contact details like name, organization, email, address, or phone number will trigger a 60-day lock on the domain.

Check Contact Details

Your contact information must be accurate to verify the transfer. ICANN requires registrars to confirm all registrant details before any changes in ownership.

"A change to the new RAA requires us to verify the domain registrant contact information." – No-IP Knowledge Base

Here’s what to do:

Log in to your registrar account and review all registrant, admin, and technical contact details.
Update any outdated information and complete the verification process.
Keep an eye on your inbox (and spam folder) for verification emails.

Remove Privacy Protection

If your domain has privacy protection enabled, you’ll need to turn it off. This service hides your contact information using proxy details, which can block the transfer verification process.

Privacy protection typically replaces your information with:

Proxy addresses
Forwarding email addresses
Masked phone numbers

Since these details prevent ownership verification, disabling privacy protection is required.

Unlock Domain Settings

Domains are often locked as a security measure to prevent unauthorized transfers. You’ll need to unlock your domain at your current registrar to move forward.

"Domain Protection helps secure your domain by preventing unauthorized domain actions, such as transferring a domain or making DNS updates, and avoiding accidental domain expiration if your credit card on file expires." – GoDaddy Help US

To unlock your domain:

Log in to your domain management account and go to the security settings.
Locate the transfer lock or domain protection option.
Turn off the transfer lock.
Confirm that the domain status shows as "unlocked."

After completing these updates, you can retrieve your transfer code and continue the process.

Getting the Transfer Code

Once your domain is unlocked and privacy protection is off, the next step is to get your authorization code.

What Is a Transfer Code?

A domain transfer authorization code (also called an EPP code) is a unique alphanumeric string, usually 6–16 characters long. This code acts like a password for your domain, confirming ownership and preventing unauthorized transfers. Most top-level domains (.COM, .NET, .ORG, .BIZ, .INFO, .US, etc.) require this code. However, some domains, like UK extensions (.uk, .co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk), use an Internet Provider Security (IPS) tag instead.

How to Get Your Code

Here’s how to retrieve your authorization code:

Log in to your domain control panel through your current registrar’s account.
Go to the domain management or transfer section.
Look for the option to request the authorization code.
Complete any required identity verification.

For instance, if you’re using GoDaddy:

Log in to your Domain Portfolio and open the domain management section.
Find the domain you want to transfer and choose "Transfer to Another Registrar" from the Transfer menu.
Click "Click here to see Authorization Code" and use the "Copy to Clipboard" feature to save it.

Important Details About Your Code

Under ICANN rules, your registrar must provide the authorization code within five calendar days of your request . If they don’t, you can file a Transfer Complaint.

Keep your code secure – it’s sensitive information. Be aware that some codes may expire if not used quickly. If this happens, you’ll need to request a new one.

"An Auth-Code is required for a domain holder to transfer a domain name from one registrar to another." – ICANN

If you run into problems getting your code, reach out to your registrar’s support team for help.

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Starting the Transfer

Begin the transfer process by carefully following the provided steps.

Pick a New Registrar

When choosing a new registrar, keep these factors in mind:

Pricing: Pay attention to both initial and renewal costs. Some registrars may lure you in with low introductory rates but charge much higher fees later.
Security Options: Opt for registrars that offer strong protections, like domain hijacking safeguards and WHOIS privacy services .
Customer Support: Ensure the registrar provides reliable and responsive customer assistance.

"Domain name registrars are not all the same. Aside from pricing, features like grace periods for expired domains and protections against domain name hijacking are important criteria when choosing a registrar."
– Cloudflare

Once you’ve chosen your registrar, move on to entering your transfer details.

Enter Transfer Details

To get started with the transfer, follow these steps:

Create an account with the new registrar.
Open the domain transfer section.
Input your domain name and authorization code.
Verify your contact information.
Complete the payment.

Approve Transfer Emails

You’ll receive verification emails from both the current and new registrars at the administrative contact email address. Be sure to check your spam folder if you don’t see them within 24 hours . Approve these emails promptly to keep the transfer on track.

Completing the Transfer

After starting the transfer and confirming the verification emails, the next steps involve monitoring the progress and finalizing the setup.

Check Transfer Status

Domain transfers usually take about 5–7 days to complete. You can keep an eye on the status through your registrar’s dashboard:

For GoDaddy transfers:

Log in to your GoDaddy Transfers page.
Select either ‘Transfers In’ or ‘Transfers Out,’ depending on the situation.
Check the "Status" column to see the current progress.

For Hostinger transfers:

Open the "Domains" page in hPanel.
Click on "Transfers" in the sidebar.
Look for a status like "Transferring" or "Error" and click the domain name for more details.

If a transfer error persists beyond 7 days, reach out to support with your domain name and the specific error details. Once the transfer is successful, update your domain settings to avoid any service interruptions.

Update Domain Settings

After the transfer is complete, make sure to update your domain settings properly:

Document DNS Records
Write down your current DNS configuration, including any custom entries like MX records for email.
Configure Nameservers
Update to your new provider’s nameservers, if required. Recreate your DNS records with the new registrar and confirm that DNS propagation is complete.
Verify Services
Double-check that your website is accessible, emails are working, SSL is active, and subdomains function as expected.

If these settings are not updated correctly, you may need additional assistance to resolve any issues.

Professional Help Options

If you encounter challenges like domain locks, expired domains, DNS errors, or incorrect contact details, professional help can make the process smoother. Services like OneNine (https://onenine.com) specialize in website and domain management, offering support for DNS configurations and other technical issues. They can help ensure the transfer is completed without disrupting your website’s functionality.

Next Steps

Transfer Process Review

After completing your domain transfer, go through this checklist to ensure everything is set up correctly:

Verify Transfer Status
Log in to your new registrar’s dashboard and confirm your domain is listed as "Active" .
Configure DNS Settings
Update your DNS records right away to avoid service interruptions . To speed up propagation, consider lowering the TTL (Time To Live) values of your DNS records .
Update Contact Information
Double-check and update the domain’s contact details after the transfer is complete .
Enable Security Features
Strengthen your domain’s security by implementing these measures:
- Two-factor authentication for account access
- DNSSEC to secure DNS queries
- DMARC, SPF, and DKIM for email validation
- Domain activity monitoring to protect your brand

Once you’ve completed these steps, focus on long-term management practices outlined below.

Domain Management Tips

After handling the immediate post-transfer tasks, keep your domain secure and functional with these ongoing practices:

Security Measures

Activate security locks and restrictions to prevent unauthorized updates .
Use auto-renewal to avoid accidental expiration or hijacking attempts .
Register similar domain names to protect against typosquatting .

Monitoring and Maintenance

Regularly review your DNS records for accuracy.
Keep contact details up to date.
Watch for unusual activity on your domain.
Join cybersecurity organizations like MS-ISAC to stay informed about potential threats .

Professional Support
For help with advanced DNS configurations, security measures, or regular upkeep, consider hiring domain management specialists.

To further enhance your domain’s security, sign up for CISA‘s Cyber Hygiene service. This program provides vulnerability assessments and ongoing monitoring support .