How to Transfer Your Domain to a New Registrar: A Complete Guide

If you’ve been managing a website for any length of time, you’ve probably wondered whether you’re getting the best deal on your domain registration. Maybe you’ve heard about better prices elsewhere, or perhaps you’re frustrated with your current registrar’s customer service. Whatever your reason, transferring your domain to a new registrar is a straightforward process once you understand what you’re doing.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about domain transfers, from the basics to the step-by-step process.

What Is a Domain Registrar?

A domain registrar is a company accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) or a national domain authority to sell and manage domain name registrations. When you purchase a domain name like “example.com,” you’re not actually buying the domain itself—you’re leasing the rights to use it for a specified period (typically one year at a time).

Your registrar acts as the middleman between you and the domain registry that maintains the authoritative database for that top-level domain (like .com, .net, or .org). Popular registrars include GoDaddy, Namecheap, Squarespace Domains, Cloudflare, and many others.

Why Would You Want to Change Registrars?

There are several legitimate reasons to transfer your domain to a different registrar:

• Better pricing: Renewal rates can vary significantly between registrars. Some companies offer promotional pricing for the first year but charge much more for renewals.
• Improved features: Some registrars include free WHOIS privacy protection, free email forwarding, or better DNS management tools that others charge extra for.
• Better customer support: If you’ve had a frustrating experience with your current registrar’s support team, switching to one with better service can be worth the effort.
• Consolidation: If you have domains scattered across multiple registrars, consolidating them in one place can simplify management and potentially save money through bulk pricing.
• Company concerns: Changes in a company’s policies, ownership, or reputation might prompt you to move your domains elsewhere.

Before You Begin: Important Considerations

Before initiating a transfer, there are a few things you should know:

• Timing matters: Domains must be at least 60 days old before they can be transferred to a new registrar. Additionally, if you’ve transferred the domain within the last 60 days, you’ll need to wait before transferring again.
• Transfer locks: Most domains have a registrar lock (also called transfer lock) enabled by default to prevent unauthorized transfers. You’ll need to unlock it before proceeding.
• Expiration dates: When you transfer a domain, most registrars will add an additional year to your registration as part of the transfer process. However, if your domain has expired and is in the redemption period, you may have to renew first and then wait until a later date to transfer it.
• Active email and website: Your website and email will continue functioning during the transfer process, which typically takes 5-7 days to complete, but you won’t be able to make any DNS changes during that window.

Step-by-Step Guide to Transferring Your Domain

Step 1: Prepare Your Domain at the Current Registrar

Log in to your current registrar’s control panel and locate your domain management area. You’ll need to complete these tasks:

Unlock the domain: Look for a setting called “Domain Lock,” “Transfer Lock,” or “Registrar Lock” and disable it. This is usually a simple toggle switch.

Obtain the authorization code: Also called an EPP code, transfer code, or auth code, this is a unique password for your domain that proves you have permission to transfer it. The code is typically 8-16 characters long and contains letters and numbers. You can usually find it in your domain settings or request it to be sent to your registered email address.

Update your contact information: Ensure the email address associated with your domain registration is current and accessible. You’ll receive important transfer confirmation emails at this address.

Disable WHOIS privacy (temporarily): Some registrars require you to disable WHOIS privacy protection before transferring. You can re-enable it at your new registrar after the transfer completes.

Step 2: Initiate the Transfer at Your New Registrar

Visit your new registrar’s website and look for their domain transfer option. This is usually found in the domains section or may have its own dedicated transfer page.

Enter your domain name and the authorization code when prompted. The registrar will check whether your domain is eligible for transfer and provide you with pricing information.

Complete the checkout process. You’ll typically pay for one year of registration as part of the transfer fee, which will be added to your domain’s current expiration date.

Step 3: Approve the Transfer

After you’ve initiated the transfer at the new registrar, both registrars will send confirmation emails.

From your current registrar: You’ll receive an email asking you to confirm that you want to transfer the domain away. This email will contain a link or instructions to approve the transfer. Some registrars allow the transfer to proceed automatically if you don’t respond within five days, while others require explicit approval.

From your new registrar: You’ll receive confirmation that the transfer has been initiated and is in progress.

Important: Respond to these emails promptly. Approving the transfer at your current registrar can expedite the process significantly, sometimes completing it within hours instead of days.

Step 4: Wait for Completion

Domain transfers typically take between 5-7 days to complete, though they can finish much faster if you approve the transfer at your old registrar. During this time:

• Your website and email services will continue to work normally
• Don’t make any changes to your DNS settings
• Don’t attempt to cancel the transfer unless absolutely necessary

You’ll receive a final confirmation email from your new registrar once the transfer is complete.

Step 5: Configure Your Domain at the New Registrar

Once the transfer is complete, log in to your new registrar and verify that:

• Your domain’s DNS settings are correct and pointing to the right nameservers
• WHOIS privacy protection is enabled (if desired)
• Auto-renewal is set up according to your preferences (make sure your credit card is up-to-date)
• All domain settings match your requirements

What Is an Authorization Code?

Since I mentioned it several times, let’s dive a bit deeper into authorization codes. An EPP (Extensible Provisioning Protocol) authorization code, commonly called an auth code or transfer code, is essentially a password for your domain.

This code serves as a security measure to prevent unauthorized domain transfers. Without it, no one can transfer your domain to another registrar, even if they have access to your account credentials. The code is unique to each domain and is generated by your current registrar.

When you’re ready to transfer, you request this code from your current registrar, and then provide it to your new registrar as proof that you have the authority to move the domain. Think of it as a secret handshake between registrars that confirms you’re the legitimate domain owner.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Authorization code doesn’t work: Double-check that you’ve copied the entire code without extra spaces. If it still doesn’t work, request a new code from your current registrar.

Domain is locked: Make sure you’ve disabled the transfer lock at your current registrar. This is the most common reason transfers fail to initiate.

Transfer is taking too long: If the transfer hasn’t completed after 7 days, contact your new registrar’s support team. They can often check the status and identify any issues.

Current registrar won’t release the domain: This is rare, but if it happens, file a complaint with ICANN. Registrars are required to allow transfers unless there’s a legitimate security concern.

Should Your Domain and Hosting Be with the Same Company?

One question that often comes up during domain transfers is whether you need to register your domain with the same company that provides your web hosting. The short answer is no. Your domain registrar and web hosting provider can be completely separate companies, and this is actually quite common.

Your domain name and web hosting are two distinct services:

• Your domain name is your website’s address (like sumydesigns.com)
• Your web hosting is the physical server space where your website’s files live

These services work together through DNS (Domain Name System) settings, which tell the internet where to find your website when someone types in your domain name. You can point a domain registered at one company to hosting at another company simply by updating your DNS records or nameservers.

Benefits of Keeping Them Together

That said, there are some advantages to consolidating your domain and hosting with the same provider:

Simplified management: Having everything in one dashboard can make it easier to manage your website, especially if you’re not technically inclined. You won’t need to log in to multiple accounts to make changes.

Streamlined support: If something goes wrong, you only need to contact one support team instead of trying to determine whether the issue is with your domain or your hosting.

Easier initial setup: Many hosting providers will automatically configure DNS settings if they also manage your domain, eliminating a technical step for beginners.

Bundle discounts: Some companies offer pricing incentives when you purchase both services together.

Benefits of Keeping Them Separate

However, there are also compelling reasons to keep them separate:

Best-of-breed services: You can choose the absolute best registrar for domains and the best hosting provider for your needs, rather than compromising on one or both.

Protection from account issues: If your hosting account is suspended or there’s a billing problem, your domain remains secure and accessible at a separate registrar. This can be important for maintaining control of your digital assets.

Easier hosting migrations: When your domain is separate, switching hosting providers becomes much simpler. You just update your DNS settings instead of having to transfer both your domain and hosting simultaneously.

Better domain management tools: Specialized domain registrars often provide superior domain management features, DNS tools, and security options compared to hosting companies.

Competitive pricing: Domain-focused registrars are often more competitive on domain pricing and renewals than hosting companies, which may use domains as a loss leader to sell hosting.

My Recommendation

For most users, I actually recommend keeping your domain registration separate from your web hosting. The flexibility and protection this provides outweighs the minor convenience of having everything in one place. Choose a reputable, affordable domain registrar with good management tools, and separately select the hosting provider that best fits your website’s needs.

That said, if you’re brand new to website management and find the technical aspects overwhelming, starting with both services at the same provider can reduce the learning curve. You can always transfer your domain to a dedicated registrar later once you’re more comfortable with how everything works.

Final Thoughts

Transferring your domain to a new registrar might seem intimidating at first, but it’s a well-established process designed to be safe and straightforward. The key is to be methodical, keep track of your authorization code, and respond to confirmation emails promptly.

Remember that there’s no harm in shopping around for the best combination of price, features, and service that meets your needs. Your domain is one of your most important digital assets, and it deserves to be with a registrar that values your business.