How to Transfer a Domain Name to a New Registrar

Published November 19, 2025 · 8 min read

How to Transfer a Domain Name to a New Registrar

I switched all my domains to Cloudflare last year. Better prices, cleaner interface, no upsells. The process took about a week per domain, and none of my websites went down during the transfer.

Here is exactly how domain transfers work, with the mistakes to avoid.

Why People Transfer Domains

Most people switch registrars because their current one annoyed them. GoDaddy's constant upselling. A registrar's clunky interface. Bad customer support. High renewal prices.

Some people transfer to consolidate - easier to manage 10 domains in one place than scattered across five registrars.

Whatever your reason, the process is the same.

Before You Start

You cannot transfer a domain that is:

• Less than 60 days old
• Transferred within the last 60 days
• Currently expired
• Locked for transfer

You need:

• Access to the email address on file for the domain
• The authorization code (also called EPP code or transfer code)
• Payment for the new registrar (transfers usually include a year of renewal)

Step 1: Unlock and Get the Code

Log into your current registrar and find your domain settings. Look for "Domain Lock" or "Transfer Lock" and disable it.

Then find the option to get your authorization code. Some registrars show it immediately. Others email it to you. The code looks like a random string of characters.

This code expires in 5-14 days depending on the registrar, so do not get it until you are ready to transfer.

If you have WHOIS privacy enabled, some registrars require you to disable it temporarily. Cloudflare and others do not care. Check your new registrar's requirements.

Step 2: Start the Transfer

Go to your new registrar and look for "Transfer Domain" instead of "Register Domain."

Enter your domain name exactly as it appears. Paste the authorization code. Pay the transfer fee.

The fee is usually the same as a year of registration - around $10-15 for a .com. This adds a year to your existing registration time.

Step 3: Approve the Transfer

After you initiate the transfer, your old registrar sends a confirmation email. This goes to the admin email on file for the domain.

Click the approval link. Some registrars let you approve it instantly. Others make you wait.

If you do nothing, most transfers auto-complete after 5 days. But why wait? Just click the link.

Step 4: Wait and Verify

The transfer takes 5-7 days typically. During this time, your website stays up as long as the nameservers do not change.

Once complete, log into your new registrar and verify everything:

• Nameservers are correct
• Auto-renewal is enabled
• Domain lock is enabled
• WHOIS privacy is enabled (if you want it)
• Contact information is current

Common Problems

What Does Not Transfer

Important: transferring your domain does not transfer your website or email.

Your website files stay wherever they are hosted. Your email stays with your email provider. If you are using the old registrar's hosting or email, you need to migrate those separately before transferring.

The DNS records might or might not transfer depending on your nameserver setup. If you use third-party DNS (like Cloudflare), nothing changes. If you use the registrar's DNS, you might need to recreate records at the new registrar.

Registrar-Specific Tips

FAQ

Not if your nameservers stay the same. The domain just moves from one registrar to another. Traffic keeps flowing to the same place.

5-7 days usually. Some transfers complete in a day if you approve immediately and the registrars process it fast.

Typically $10-15 for a .com, which includes adding a year to your registration.

Yes, usually within the first few days. Contact your new registrar.

Check your domain's WHOIS data before starting to make sure you have access to the email on file and know the current expiration date.