transfer domain name

How to transfer domain to another host

Looking for how to transfer domain name ownership to another host? transferring ownership of a domain name to another host can be quite easy if only the right procedures are followed but can be a bit hectic if errors are made during the process. Transferring domain to a new host means transferring domain names to another registrar. Remember you are dealing with two domain registrars here, the one who the domain is being transferred to (gaining registrar) and the one you are transferring the domain from (losing registrar).

These two need to communicate with each other and pass correct details between each other if the domain name ownership transfer process is to be successful and quick otherwise, any delay from any of these two parties especially the losing registrar will cost you a lot of time before you complete the process.

How do we transfer domain to another host

Am going to show you the exact steps to follow while transferring a domain to another host but before we start off you should make sure the points below are in place.

  • Domain is in Unlocked state. A domain that is in a locked state can’t be transferred. The domain has to be unlocked by your current registrar. The domain lock and unlock feature prevents fraudulent transfers and is used by most registrars.
  • You have access to Administrator email. This is the email address that was used for registering your domain. It’s the same email address that will confirm the transfer meaning you have to be having access to it. In case you don’t know the administrator email address you can try doing a who is search and if you don’t have access to it it’s advisable to contact your current registrar to change it before initiating the transfer.
  • Domain is at least 60 days old, 60 days away from expiry or 60 days away from renewal. Domains that are less than 60 days old cannot be transferred just like the ones that are 60 days from expiry or less than 60 days from renewal.
  • Registrar is willing to transfer the domain. Make sure your current registrar is willing to transfer the domain. This is mainly common among a few local web hosting resellers who hold your domain so that you don’t transfer to another host. If they are willing, you can go ahead and contact your destination registrar.
  • Pay the gaining registrar. Also pay the gaining registrar money for the transfer in case they charge.

Some domain registrars don’t charge any money to transfer domain to them but most of them do charge some money for the process. If you are lucky and your web host doesn’t charge then you can as well consider that as on opportunity. What you should also know is the transfer domain process can take up to 10 days but the quicker the communication between the losing registrar and the gaining registrar, the faster the process will be. Before you transfer domain to new registrars, make sure they are ICANN accredited.

Step 1 – Contact your current registrar (Losing registrar)

The first step is contact your current registrar, let them know about your intentions to transfer you domain from them and also inform them about the registrar you intend to transfer domain to. Your registrar should then unlock your domain and provide you with the EPP code that you will give the gaining registrar. This code is used to protect the domain owner from unauthorized transfers and make sure he is the only one with the rights to transfer a domain.

Step 2 – Contact your next registrar (Gaining registrar)

After confirming that your domain has been unlocked and you have the EPP code, you can then contact your gaining registrar and provide them with the details to initiate the transfer. Also confirm with them that the EPP authorization code is correct and has been accepted. Upon initiating the transfer an email should be sent to the administrator email address used while registering for the domain.

Step 3 – Ask your Losing registrar to approve the transfer

The next step is asking your losing registrar to approve the transfer through an email that has been sent to the administrator email address. The email contains a confirmation link that the losing registrar has to click to approve the transfer or deny it. The losing registrar has a maximum of 5 days to respond to the email and in case he doesn’t then you have to repeat the whole process again.

Step 4 – Wait for confirmation

After completing all the steps above, all you have to do wait for approval from the gaining registrar. If the transfer is successful you will be sent a success message or a failed message in case the process was unsuccessful. What you should also know is there very many reasons for domain name transfer failure which you can read below.

Read: Reasons for domain transfer failure

If the process is successful then your host will automatically add the domain to your hosting account and will help you renew it at an agreed fee annually.

If you are searching for how to transfer domain from one registrar to another then the tutorial above should help you do it just fine. Like said earlier, the transfer of domain name ownership can take up to 10 days but it all depends on the response time of both registrars. If they respond quickly then the process should take you less or a maximum of 5 days.

I usually register my domain names with reputable domain registrars so that i don’t transfer domain from one registrar to another. Most of them will transfer your domain for free but a few rather charge you to pay the renewal fees in advance. Most of my domains (excluding this one) were registered through Namecheap. I just switch name servers to point to web hosts were my website files are hosted. This way am able to manage my domains easily.

Authored By Kolo Pius

Kolo Pius is the founder of TutorialFAQ. He writes Badass articles for it and is an avid traveler too. Most of the time he travels while blogging and coding. You can hire me for your next Web Project, Mobile Project or SEO Services. About Me | Facebook | Twitter

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