How to transfer your domain to another registrar step by step

Transferring vs pointing: not the same thing

Transferring a domain means moving it to another registrar: the company where you pay for it, renew it and manage its details. That's different from pointing it, which tells the domain which server hosts your site or email without changing where it's registered.

If you only want your domain to show the site on your new hosting, you don't need to transfer it: read how to point your domain to your hosting. Transferring makes sense when you want to manage domain, hosting and email in one place, or when your current registrar gives poor service or charges high renewal prices.

Requirements before transferring

For generic domains such as .com, .net or .org, the rules are set by ICANN and apply at every registrar. Check these points before you start:

• More than 60 days since registration or the last transfer. The domain can't move during that period. Some registrars also apply a 60-day lock after the registrant's details change.
• Unlocked domain. Almost every registrar turns on a transfer lock by default, which shows up as clientTransferProhibited.
• Authorization code. Also called EPP code or auth code; it's the password that proves you own the domain.
• A working contact email. Notices and approvals go to the registrant or admin contact email. If it's an account you no longer use, update it first.
• An active domain. If it has expired or is about to, renew it first or ask your registrar; a domain in its redemption period can't be transferred.

Before you move: protect your site and email

A well-run transfer doesn't need to take your site or email offline. What decides where traffic goes is your nameservers and DNS records, not the registrar. If you're unsure how they work, check what DNS is.

1. Write down your current nameservers and back up every DNS record: A, CNAME, MX, TXT (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and anything else.
2. Check where your DNS is hosted. If it uses your hosting's nameservers or an external service, the transfer won't touch it. If it uses your current registrar's free DNS, that service may stop answering once the transfer completes.
3. In that last case, move DNS first. Recreate the zone at your new provider, change the nameservers and wait for propagation before starting the transfer.

How to transfer your domain step by step

1. Unlock the domain. In your current registrar's dashboard, find the transfer lock option and turn it off.
2. Request the authorization code. It usually appears in the same dashboard; some registrars email it to the registrant instead.
3. Start the transfer at the new registrar. Enter your domain, paste the authorization code and complete the payment.
4. Approve the emails. Check the domain contact's inbox (and spam folder) and confirm the request if asked.
5. Wait for approval. For generic domains the process usually takes 5 to 7 days. Your current registrar may let you approve it sooner.
6. Verify the result. Confirm the domain shows up in your new account, the nameservers are unchanged and your site and email work.

For generic domains, the transfer adds one year to the expiration date; you don't lose the time you had already paid for. Once it's done, turn the transfer lock back on at the new registrar.

Transferring a .mx domain

.mx, .com.mx and the other Mexican extensions are managed by the registry NIC México, which also runs the registrar Akky. Since they aren't generic domains, they follow NIC México's policies rather than ICANN's, so timelines and costs may differ.

The overall process is similar: you need an active domain, access to the contact email and an authorization code from your current registrar. Before starting, confirm the current requirements for your extension with them.

Common errors and how to fix them

Invalid authorization code

This is usually caused by extra spaces when copying, look-alike characters or a code that has expired or been changed. Generate a new one at your current registrar and paste it without spaces.

The domain is locked

The transfer lock is still on. Turn it off, wait a few minutes and try again. If you can't find the option, ask your registrar's support to remove it.

clientTransferProhibited or serverTransferProhibited status

You can check the status with a WHOIS or RDAP lookup. clientTransferProhibited is set and removed by your registrar when you unlock. serverTransferProhibited is applied by the registry, for example because of a dispute or a legal order; in that case your registrar should explain why.

The approval email never arrives

The contact email is outdated or the message went to spam. Update the contact at your current registrar and ask them to resend the request.