How to Prepare Your Domain for Transfer

What Is a Domain Transfer

Domain Transfer refers to the process of changing the designated Registrar of a domain name. Once a transfer has been made, the new Registrar will be responsible for keeping and managing your Domain Name System (DNS) records.

There can be various reasons for a Domain Transfer, and this is usually entirely under the Registrant's control. Regardless of the reason, however, there are some actions you need to accomplish or requisites you need to secure before you can easily and legally transfer a domain.

How to Prepare Your Domain for Transfer

If you want to transfer your domain name to another registrar, here are some things you need to prepare.

1. Get your Registry Key (Domain Password) ready. This key may also be called any the following:
   
   
   1. EPP key
   2. Auth Code
   3. UDAI key
   4. Transfer Key
   5. Transfer Secret
   6. EPP Authorization Code
   7. EPPT Authentication Code
2. Make sure your Domain Name is unlocked. Most registrars leave domain names unlocked by default. In some cases, however, registrars may justly lock a domain name without the registrant’s consent.
   
   The following are possible cases:
   
   
   1. It is within the 60-day lock in period of a new domain registration.
   2. It is within the 60-day lock in period of a newly transferred domain.
   3. The registrant has breached the policies set by either the registrar or the registry.
   4. The domain is involved in a domain dispute case.
   5. The registrant has been flagged for using the domain for spamming purposes or cybersquatting.
   If your domain with us is not involved in any situation that may warrant an unsolicited domain lock, but it currently is, you can unlock it by following the steps below:
   
   
   1. Click Sign Up / Log In at the top of this page.
   2. Ensure that Account Manager is selected.
   3. Enter your username and password, then click Log In.
   4. Click on the Visit My Account button.
   5. Click Domains on the menu bar at the top of the page.
   6. Click the Domain Name that you wish to manage.
   7. Go to Domain Lock, click drop-down menu, and choose Off.
   8. Click Update.
3. Domain must be set to public. If you have hidden or set your domain registration details to private, disable the Domain Privacy feature to set your domain name to public.


4. Be sure to have a valid email. Check your registrant information in the WhoIs database and make sure you have a valid email address listed there. If you don’t have an email address listed or you have changed it recently, then you need to update your registration details.
   
   If you have your domain with us, you can update your registration details within your Account Manager by following the steps below:
   
   
   1. Click Sign Up / Log In at the top of this page.
   2. Ensure that Account Manager is selected.
   3. Enter your username and password, then click Log In.
   4. Click on the Visit My Account button.
   5. Click the Edit Profile button below your account information.
   6. Click the Security Tab. You can change your email address in the corresponding fields provided.
   7. Click the Save button at the bottom of the page.
   Important Note: Registration information updates in the WhoIs database may take up to 24 hours to process.

Other things you may need to know when transferring a domain:

If the domain you want to transfer has a .UK TLD, you will have to ask your current registrar to change your IPS tag. You also have the option of processing the transfer through the .UK registry Nominet.org.uk. For more information regarding transferring a .UK domain, click here.

When requesting a Domain Transfer, you will need to give your Registry Key and valid email address connected to your registration details to your incoming registrar.