How to Transfer a Domain Name Between Registrars (Complete Step-by-Step)

Transferring a domain name between registrars is a process that takes five to seven days. Before you start, check our registrar comparison guide to verify your destination registrar is reliable. Transferring a domain name between registrars is a process that takes five to seven days and requires completing severalven days and requires completing several preparation steps correctly. Skipping any of these steps can cause the transfer to fail or create delays.

Pre-Transfer Preparation

Verify your contact email is current at the receiving registrar — transfer approval emails go here. Unlock the domain at your current registrar by disabling the Transfer Lock setting. Check the 60-day rule — domains cannot be transferred within 60 days of registration or a previous transfer. Verify that the domain has at least 14 days remaining on its registration, as most registrars will not accept transfers this close to expiry.

Get the authorization code — called the EPP code, auth code, or transfer key — from your current registrar. This unique string of characters authorizes the transfer and is typically found in the domain management settings.

Initiating the Transfer

Go to the receiving registrar and start the domain transfer process. Enter the domain name and authorization code. Pay the transfer fee, which typically includes one year of registration extension.

During the Transfer

The current registrar receives a notification and has five to seven days to approve or reject the transfer. By default, transfers auto-approve after this period. Watch for emails from both registrars and respond to any approval requests to speed up the process.

Post-Transfer Verification

Verify the new expiry date using WHOIS at domain360.site/whois — the registration should have extended by one year. Verify DNS settings are correctly configured at the new registrar. Update Domain 360 with the confirmed expiry date. Re-enable transfer lock at the new registrar.

Common Problems and Solutions

Authorization code rejected: the code may have expired (they expire in 24 to 48 hours). Request a new one. Transfer stuck: contact the gaining registrar's support team. DNS stops working: configure DNS records at the new registrar or set nameservers to Cloudflare.

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