Maybe your renewal bill jumped. Maybe you want your domain and hosting under one roof. Or maybe you just can’t stand your registrar’s dashboard anymore. Whatever the reason, you’re allowed to move, and learning how to transfer a domain name is easier than most people expect.
The process follows a set of rules from ICANN, the organization that oversees domain names. Once you know those rules, a transfer is mostly a matter of checking a few settings, copying one code, and waiting several days. This guide walks through it in plain English, including the snags that catch people out.
What Does It Mean to Transfer a Domain Name?
A domain transfer moves the management of your domain from one registrar (the company you pay for the name) to another. You keep the same name, and you still own the registration. Only the company looking after it changes.
It’s worth separating three things that often get mixed up:
- Domain transfer: changes who manages your domain registration.
- Hosting migration: moves your website files, databases, and email to a new server.
- DNS change: updates where your domain points, such as switching nameservers.
A domain transfer doesn’t move your website by itself. You can do these jobs together or one at a time. If you’re new to the difference between a name and an address, our guide to domains and URLs is a helpful primer.
How to Transfer a Domain Name in 7 Steps
These steps apply to common domain endings such as .com, .net, and .org. Country-code domains, like .uk or .ca, can follow different rules, so check with your registrar first.
1. Confirm Your Domain Is Eligible
Under ICANN’s Transfer Policy, a registrar can refuse a transfer if the domain was registered or transferred within the last 60 days. Log in to your account and note the registration date and the expiration date.
If the domain expires soon, renew it first. A transfer that’s still in progress when the domain expires can get messy, so aim to leave at least two weeks of breathing room.
2. Check Your Contact Email and Privacy Settings
Confirmation messages go to the email address on your domain, so make sure you can receive mail there. Be careful, though: changing the registrant’s name, organization, or email can trigger a separate 60-day transfer lock. Some registrars let you opt out of that lock, but only before you make the change, so read any warning on screen before you click save.
If you use WHOIS privacy, ask your registrar whether it needs to be switched off during the move. Some require it and others don’t.
3. Save a Copy of Your DNS Records
If your current registrar also runs your DNS, its records may not come along automatically. Take a screenshot or export of every record, including A, CNAME, MX, and TXT entries. The MX and TXT records are especially important because they keep your email working. Our overview of website DNS records explains what each one does.
4. Unlock the Domain
Most registrars turn on a “registrar lock” by default to block unauthorized transfers. Find this setting in your domain dashboard and turn it off. If you can’t find it, ask support, because registrars must give you a reasonable way to remove it.
5. Get Your Authorization Code
This code goes by several names: EPP code, auth code, or transfer key. It proves you have the right to move the domain. Many dashboards show it right away, while others email it to you. ICANN requires your registrar to provide it within five calendar days of your request.
Treat this code like a password. Copy it exactly, and don’t share it anywhere public.
6. Start the Transfer at Your New Registrar
Go to the new company, enter your domain, paste in the code, and check out. At AthenaHost, you can begin on our domain transfer page. For most generic domains, a transfer adds one year to your registration, so you usually aren’t losing the time you already paid for.
7. Approve the Transfer and Confirm It Finished
Watch your inbox, including the spam folder, for confirmation messages and act on them promptly. Most transfers finish within five to seven days, and approving early from your side can sometimes speed things up.
When it’s done, log in to your new account and confirm that the domain appears, the nameservers are right, and the registrar lock is back on. Then send yourself a test email and load your website.
Will Your Website Go Down During a Transfer?
It shouldn’t. A registrar transfer doesn’t touch your website files, and if your nameservers stay the same, visitors will keep reaching your site as usual. Downtime usually comes from changing nameservers at the wrong moment or losing DNS records when the old provider stops answering for your domain.
The safest approach is to keep your DNS settings as they are until the transfer is complete, then make any other changes as a separate step.
Common Reasons a Domain Transfer Gets Stuck
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer is refused right away | Domain is less than 60 days old or was recently transferred | Wait until the 60 days have passed |
| “Domain is locked” error | Registrar lock is still on | Turn it off and try again |
| Code is rejected | Typo, extra space, or expired code | Request a fresh code and paste it carefully |
| No confirmation email | Old address or spam filter | Check spam, then contact your registrar |
| Transfer blocked after an update | Recent change to registrant details | Ask your registrar when the lock ends |
ICANN approved updates to its transfer rules in 2026, but they hadn’t taken effect at the time of writing. If you’re reading this later, check with your registrar for the current timelines.
Should You Move Your Domain and Hosting Together?
Keeping both with one company means one login, one bill, and one support team to call. On the other hand, some people prefer to keep them apart so a problem with one account doesn’t affect the other. Both setups work well.
If you do want to consolidate, handle one job at a time. Move the website first, confirm that everything works, and then transfer the domain. AthenaHost’s shared hosting starts at $7.95 a month, and every plan includes free site migration, so the website half of the job doesn’t have to fall on you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to transfer a domain name?
Most transfers of generic domains finish within five to seven days. Country-code domains can take longer or follow a different process.
Can I transfer a domain I just registered?
Usually not right away. Registrars can refuse a transfer during the first 60 days after registration, so plan on waiting.
Will I lose time left on my registration?
Generally no. For most generic domains, the transfer adds a year on top of the time you have left. Confirm the details with your new registrar at checkout.
Does transferring a domain affect my email?
Not if your DNS records stay in place. Save your MX and TXT records before you start, and restore them if your DNS provider changes.
Conclusion
Once you know the steps, it’s simple to transfer a domain name: check that it’s eligible, save your DNS records, unlock it, get your code, and approve the move. A little preparation keeps your website and email running the whole time.
Ready to bring your domain over? Start with AthenaHost’s domain transfer service, or register a new domain if you’re adding another name to your business.