How to Transfer a Domain Name Between Registrars

You might want to transfer a domain to get better pricing, consolidate accounts, or move away from a provider you're unhappy with. Done carefully, a transfer causes no disruption. Done carelessly, it can take your site or email offline. The steps below apply to most generic domains such as .com, .net, and .org. Country-code domains often have their own rules.

Before you begin

Make sure you control the domain. Confirm that the registrant details and the account login are yours. If an agency or former developer registered it, sort that out first. See who owns your website and accounts.

Check eligibility. Domains are typically locked against transfer for 60 days after registration and after certain changes, such as a change of registrant. Expired domains may need renewing first.

Don't let it expire mid-transfer. If renewal is due soon, renew or leave plenty of time.

Record your DNS settings. Take screenshots or exports of every record, including email and verification records. See how DNS works.

Decide where DNS will live. Transferring a domain doesn't always move your DNS. If your DNS is at the old registrar, move it first or recreate the records at the new provider before switching nameservers.

Step-by-step

Update contact details. Make sure the registrant, admin, and technical email addresses are correct and that you can access them. Transfer approval emails go there.
Unlock the domain. In your current registrar's control panel, turn off the registrar lock (sometimes called transfer lock).
Get the authorization code. Also called an EPP code, auth code, or transfer key. Request it from the current registrar.
Start the transfer at the new registrar. Enter the domain and the authorization code, and pay the fee. Transfers normally include a one-year renewal added to the domain's expiry.
Approve the transfer. You may receive emails at the registrant address to confirm. Follow the links, or approve in the old registrar's panel. Without approval, many transfers complete automatically after a few days.
Wait. Transfers can take from minutes to about a week.
Check everything afterwards. Confirm the domain shows as active at the new registrar, with the correct expiry date, DNS records, and nameservers.
Re-enable the lock and security features.

Protect your website and email

Don't change nameservers during the transfer unless you've planned it
Keep your hosting and email running as they are
Test your site and email after completion
Check SSL certificates still renew. See SSL and HTTPS

Common problems

"Domain is locked": unlock it at the current registrar
Recent registration or change: wait out the lock period
Wrong or inaccessible admin email: update it before starting
Privacy service blocking emails: forwarding may need to be checked. See domain privacy and WHOIS
Incorrect auth code: request a new one
Transfers to or from certain country domains: follow the registry's specific process

Security

Use a strong, unique password and two-factor authentication on both registrar accounts. A hijacked domain means a hijacked website and email. See password managers for small teams.

Choose a good registrar

Look for transparent renewal pricing, solid support, good security features such as two-factor authentication and registrar locks, easy DNS management, and a clear transfer process. Be wary of low introductory offers with high renewal prices.

Document it

Keep a record of where your domain, DNS, hosting, and email are managed, with renewal dates and who has access.

The bottom line

Check eligibility, unlock, get the code, protect your DNS and email, and approve the transfer. A prepared transfer is uneventful.