How to Transfer a Domain?

Introduction:

Here is the domain transfer process to switch domain registrars. It’s crucial to ensure that your domain remains active and accessible throughout the transfer. In this article, we’ll take you through the steps involved in a domain transfer process.

Step 1: Check Your Domain’s Eligibility for Transfer

Before you begin the transfer process, you need to ensure that your domain name is eligible for transfer. This means that your domain should have been registered for at least 60 days and not be in a locked or suspended state. Additionally, your domain must not be expired or subject to a pending delete status.

Step 2: Obtain Your Domain’s Authorization Code

To begin the transfer process, you’ll need to obtain your domain’s authorization code, also known as the EPP code or transfer secret. This code serves as proof that you are the rightful owner of the domain and authorizes the transfer to take place.

To obtain your domain’s authorization code, you’ll need to contact your current registrar or hosting provider and request it. Depending on your provider, you may be able to obtain the code through your account dashboard or by contacting their customer support team.

Step 3: Unlock Your Domain for Transfer

Once you have your domain’s authorization code, you’ll need to unlock your domain for transfer. This involves disabling any transfer restrictions or privacy protection that may be in place.

To unlock your domain for transfer, log in to your account dashboard or contact your provider’s customer support team for assistance. Be sure to follow their instructions carefully, as failing to unlock your domain properly can delay or prevent the transfer process.

Step 4: Initiate the Transfer

With your domain’s authorization code and unlocked status in place, you can now initiate the transfer process. This involves submitting a transfer request to your new registrar or hosting provider.

To initiate the transfer, log in to your new provider’s account dashboard or contact their customer support team for assistance. You’ll need to provide your domain name, authorization code, and other information as required by your provider.

Step 5: Verify Domain Ownership and Authorization

Once you’ve initiated the transfer, you’ll need to verify your domain ownership and authorization for transfer. This involves responding to an email or other communication sent to the domain’s administrative contact.

Be sure to respond to this verification request promptly and accurately, as failure to do so can delay or prevent the transfer process. Once you’ve verified your ownership and authorization, the transfer process will proceed.

Step 6: Monitor the Transfer Process

During the transfer process, it’s important to monitor the progress and status of your domain transfer. This involves checking  the domain on a whois website, your account dashboard or contacting your new provider’s customer support team for updates. If you want to check it yourself, simply punch in your domain name into the following whois system and it will show you the domain status.

If the result of the domain status is showing “Pending Transfer”, this means that your new domain provider has successfully started the domain transfer process. If the domain status is showing “Active”, this means your new domain provider have not started the domain transfer. Using whois system to check is the most accurate way to know whether your domain transfer has indeed started.

Once the domain transfer starts, the “pending transfer” status will stay on for several days which typically goes on for 5-7 days. Once the domain transfer is completed, the status will automatically change back to “Active” again which you will then know that the domain transfer is completed.

Note: During the 5-7 days, when the domain status is on “pending transfer”, you will not be able to make any changes to the nameservers. If you need to make changes to the nameservers, please do so before you start a domain transfer or wait for domain transfer is completed.

Conclusion:

The domain transfer process can be complex, but it’s a necessary step if you’re switching web hosting providers or registrars. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure a smooth and successful transfer of your domain name. Remember to check your domain’s eligibility for transfer, obtain your domain’s authorization code, unlock your domain for transfer, initiate the transfer, verify your domain ownership and authorization, and monitor the transfer process.