Transfer a Domain Name

A domain transfer is, in effect, to transfer domain name management from one owner (and registrar) to another (owner and registrar).  Often domain names are transferred from the former owner to the new.  If that’s the case for you, here’s a high-level overview of what that would entail.

Step 1: Ready the New Registrar/Owner

In order to transfer your domain name, you’ll need to have already setup the domain’s new registrar. Since you’re giving ownership of the domain name to someone else, it will be THEIR responsibility to set this up.

Once the new domain registrar is setup, it’s time to unlock things.

Step 2: Unlock your Domain Name

So people can’t steal your domain name, all registrars have transfers locked.  Before you initiate the transfer, you’ll need to unlock your domain name.  The process varies between various web hosts.  Just search their knowledge base for step-by-step instructions.

Step 3: Initiate the Transfer

In order to put your domain name transfer into effect, you need to apply for a transfer to the registrar that you intend to move your domain over to. Most registrars will have a form or an option on their website that you can select to ‘transfer domain’. Once you select this option, the registrar (that you are transferring your domain to) will have to contact – usually via email – the administrator of your domain.

The contact details of this administrator should have been supplied by you when you registered your domain name and updated accordingly, if that contact has since been changed. Upon receiving the email notification, the administrator of your domain has to agree to accept the transfer. This step generally helps to validate the authenticity of the request for a transfer of domain name. If the administrator does not accept the transfer within a given period of time (within 5 days) then the registrar will assume that the transfer has been rejected. For this reason, it is important to ensure that all the contact information in your domain records is updated and valid.

If the email has been accepted, on the other hand, then your transfer is effectively in progress. Bear in mind that in order for the transfer of a domain name to be successful, that domain must be active. If, the domain is locked, inactive or in the process of being deleted or redeemed, then this does not meet the criteria for a transfer.

Note for Young Domains

Typically, domain names must be registered for more than 60 days before you are allowed to transfer registrars.  If, however, your domain happens to be involved in a legal dispute or if you are facing bankruptcy then the transfer of a domain name will not take effect.