A domain transfer moves your name from one registrar to another. People do it to get better prices, to keep everything in one dashboard, or to leave a provider that stopped answering tickets. The process is standard, but a few mistakes cause most of the failed transfers. This checklist avoids them.
Before you start
- The domain must be at least 60 days old and not transferred in the last 60 days.
- Your contact e-mail at the old registrar must be current; the approval goes there.
- Unlock the domain and switch off WHOIS privacy temporarily.
- Request the EPP code (also called auth code or transfer key).
Start the domain transfer
At HostiGuard open Dashboard → Domains → Transfer, enter the name and the EPP code, and pay the transfer fee. For most extensions the fee includes one extra year of registration, so you lose nothing. You receive a confirmation e-mail; approve it to speed things up.
Keep the site and e-mail online
A domain transfer does not change nameservers. If your DNS is hosted by the old registrar, copy every record to the new provider first and switch the nameservers after the move. Done in that order, visitors and e-mail notice nothing.
How long it takes
Most moves complete within five days; the old registrar can approve immediately or let the timer run out. You can follow the status in your dashboard, and you receive an e-mail the moment the registry confirms the change of ownership. Country extensions sometimes have their own procedure, which the transfer page explains for the extension you enter.
After the move
Turn WHOIS privacy and the transfer lock back on, enable auto-renew and check that the expiry date was extended. Then review our guide on managing DNS and the domain search if you want to collect the matching extensions in the same account.
