How to Transfer or Move a Domain Name With Minimal Downtime
Moving a domain can mean two different things: transferring the domain registration to another registrar, or moving the website and email to a new hosting provider. These are separate processes. A registrar transfer does not automatically move your website, email, DNS records, or hosting account.
Domain Transfer vs Moving Your Website Hosting
A domain transfer changes the registrar responsible for managing the domain registration. A hosting migration moves website files, databases, applications, or email services to another server or hosting provider. You can transfer a domain without moving the website, and you can move a website without transferring the domain registration.
| Change | What moves | What does not automatically move |
|---|---|---|
| Registrar transfer | Management of the domain registration | Website files, databases, email accounts, and hosting |
| Hosting migration | Website files, databases, applications, and possibly email | Domain registration unless separately transferred |
| Nameserver change | DNS authority changes to the selected nameservers | Domain registration and website files |
| DNS record change | Individual services can be pointed to new destinations | Registrar and hosting accounts |
Before You Transfer a Domain
Identify exactly what you are moving before making changes. Record the current registrar, nameservers, DNS records, website hosting location, email provider, and expiration date. Back up the website and databases if hosting will also move. Keep the existing hosting and email services active until the replacement services have been tested.
Review the new registrar's pricing, renewal terms, DNS management, security features, support, and any requirements for the domain extension. If hosting is also moving, confirm that the new environment supports the site's software versions, databases, PHP requirements, storage, email needs, SSL certificates, and other required features.
Check Whether the Domain Is Eligible to Transfer
For generic top-level domains covered by ICANN's Transfer Policy, a registrar can deny a transfer for specific reasons. These include a transfer requested within 60 days of the domain's initial creation, within 60 days after a previous inter-registrar transfer, certain disputes or court orders, evidence of fraud, and an applicable 60-day Change of Registrant lock.
A change to registrant information can trigger a 60-day inter-registrar transfer lock. A registrar may offer an option to opt out before the Change of Registrant request, but it is not required to offer that option. If you intend to change both registrar and registrant, review the registrar's policy before changing the registrant information.
Check the domain's status before starting. A transfer-prohibited status or registrar lock generally needs to be removed when the domain is otherwise eligible. Privacy or proxy service does not universally have to be disabled merely to prove ownership; follow the current registrar's and gaining registrar's instructions for the specific domain.
Steps to Transfer Your Domain to Another Registrar
- Confirm eligibility: Check the domain's age, previous transfer date, expiration status, disputes, and any transfer lock.
- Verify account and registration information: Make sure you can access the registrar account and the contact methods used for required notices or authorization.
- Unlock the domain: Remove the registrar transfer lock when required and when the domain is eligible.
- Obtain the Auth-Code: Request the authorization code, also called an Auth-Code, Auth-Info code, EPP code, or transfer code. For covered gTLDs, the registrar must allow you to create it in the control panel or provide it within five calendar days of your request.
- Start the transfer with the gaining registrar: Enter the domain and required Auth-Code and follow its authorization process.
- Respond to required notices: Review transfer messages carefully and approve or confirm the request when required.
- Keep services running: Do not cancel the old hosting, DNS, or email service simply because the registrar transfer has started.
- Verify completion: Confirm the new registrar is shown as registrar of record and verify nameservers, DNS, website, email, and account security.
An Auth-Code helps authenticate an inter-registrar transfer. Keep it private and obtain it directly from the current registrar rather than from an unrelated third party.
If You Are Also Moving Your Website
Copy the website to the new hosting account before directing visitors to it. For a static site, this generally means transferring the site files. A WordPress or other database-driven site usually requires files, databases, configuration settings, and any application-specific data. See the Website Migration SEO Checklist for additional migration considerations.
Test the new copy before changing DNS. Check important pages, forms, logins, databases, images, redirects, SSL, scheduled tasks, and application functions. If the URLs are staying the same, preserve the existing URL structure wherever practical to reduce unnecessary SEO and usability changes.
If You Are Also Moving Email
A registrar transfer does not recreate email accounts or move stored messages. If the email provider is changing, create the required mailboxes at the new provider, migrate stored messages when needed, and reproduce the necessary MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and other DNS records before retiring the old service.
Keep the old mail service available during the transition when possible. DNS caches can cause different senders to reach different mail systems for a period after DNS changes, so verify both systems before deleting old mailboxes or cancelling the old account.
DNS and Nameservers During a Domain Transfer
A registrar transfer and a DNS change are different operations. If the existing nameservers remain authoritative and continue operating, the website and email can continue using the same DNS while the registrar changes. Do not change nameservers simply because you are transferring the registration unless the DNS service itself is also moving.
If DNS is moving to another provider, copy all required records first and verify them carefully. Important records can include A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, CAA, SRV, SPF-related TXT, DKIM, DMARC, verification records, and subdomains. Missing DNS records can interrupt websites, email, APIs, verification services, or other systems.
How to Transfer or Move a Domain With Minimal Downtime
- Back up website files and databases before making changes.
- Build and test the website on the new hosting account before changing DNS.
- Document the complete DNS zone before moving DNS service.
- Create and test new email accounts before changing mail routing.
- Keep the old hosting and email accounts active during the transition.
- Avoid combining unnecessary registrar, hosting, DNS, and email changes at the same moment.
- Verify HTTPS and SSL operation on the new destination.
- Test the site and email from outside the hosting account after DNS changes.
- Cancel the old service only after the new environment has been verified.
No provider can guarantee that every migration will have literally zero downtime, but separating the registrar transfer from the hosting migration and preparing DNS, website, and email services in advance can greatly reduce the risk of interruption.
How Long Does a Domain Transfer Take?
Transfer timing depends on the TLD, registrars, and circumstances. Under ICANN's process for covered gTLDs, once an authorized transfer request has been submitted to the registry, the registrar of record generally has up to five calendar days to approve or deny it; if it takes no action within the applicable period, the transfer proceeds. A transfer can complete sooner when the losing registrar provides a way to approve it early.
Country-code domains and other TLDs can use different procedures and timelines. Check the registry and registrar rules for the specific extension rather than assuming every domain follows the same transfer process.
Can You Transfer an Expired Domain?
For gTLDs subject to ICANN policy, expiration or nonrenewal by itself is not a permitted reason to deny an otherwise eligible transfer. However, if the current registrar has already begun deletion and the domain is in Redemption Grace Period, it must first be restored by the current registrar before it can be transferred.
Other valid reasons for denying a transfer can still apply. Because expiration adds risk and can complicate the process, start important transfers before the expiration date when practical.
What to Check After the Transfer
- Confirm the domain appears in the new registrar account.
- Verify the correct registrant and account contact information.
- Confirm the nameservers and DNS records are still correct.
- Test the website over HTTPS and check important pages and forms.
- Send and receive test email messages if the domain uses email.
- Enable available account security and domain-locking features.
- Review the new expiration date and renewal settings.
- Keep the previous hosting account active until the website and email migration are fully verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does transferring a domain name actually mean?
Transferring a domain normally means changing the registrar that manages its registration. It does not automatically move the website, email accounts, databases, or hosting. Those services can remain where they are if the existing DNS configuration stays in place, or they can be migrated separately to another provider.
Will transferring my domain cause website downtime?
A registrar transfer by itself does not have to cause website downtime. If the authoritative nameservers and DNS records remain unchanged and continue operating, the website can continue resolving normally. Downtime is more likely when hosting, nameservers, DNS records, or email are changed incorrectly at the same time.
Do I need to move my website when I transfer my domain?
No. Domain registration and website hosting are separate services. You can move the registration to another registrar while leaving the website with the same hosting provider. You can also move the website to another host without transferring the domain, provided you update DNS to direct visitors to the new hosting service.
What is an EPP or Auth-Code?
An Auth-Code, also called an authorization code, Auth-Info code, EPP code, or transfer code, helps authenticate a domain transfer between registrars. For covered generic top-level domains, the current registrar must provide a way to create the code in the control panel or provide it within five calendar days after a request.
Why is my domain locked from transfer?
A domain may have a registrar transfer lock for security or may be subject to a policy-based restriction. For example, covered gTLDs can be denied transfer within 60 days of initial registration, within 60 days after a previous inter-registrar transfer, or during an applicable 60-day Change of Registrant lock. Other policy-based restrictions can also apply.
Do I have to disable domain privacy before transferring?
Not universally. Privacy or proxy services and transfer procedures vary among registrars and TLDs. The important requirements are that the transfer is properly authorized and that you can complete the registrar's required process. Follow the instructions from the current and gaining registrars rather than automatically disabling privacy without a stated need.
How long does a domain transfer take?
The exact time varies. For covered gTLDs, the registrar of record generally has up to five calendar days to approve or deny a properly submitted transfer request after it reaches the applicable stage, although some transfers can complete sooner. Country-code and other TLDs can use different procedures and timelines.
Can I transfer a domain that has expired?
For gTLDs subject to ICANN policy, expiration or nonrenewal alone does not allow a registrar to deny an otherwise eligible transfer. If the registrar has already deleted the registration and it is in Redemption Grace Period, however, the domain must first be restored by the current registrar before it can be transferred.
Should I change nameservers before transferring my domain?
Not simply because the registrar is changing. If your current DNS provider will remain in use, keeping the same nameservers can help avoid unnecessary changes. If DNS service is also moving, reproduce and verify the complete DNS zone at the new provider before changing nameservers.
What happens to my email when I transfer a domain?
A registrar transfer does not automatically move or recreate email. If the same nameservers and mail provider remain in use, email can continue normally. If email hosting is changing, create the mailboxes, migrate required messages, and configure MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and other necessary DNS records before retiring the old service.
When should I cancel my old hosting account?
Cancel the old hosting only after the website, databases, SSL, DNS, forms, email, and other services have been tested successfully on the new environment. Keeping the old service available during the transition provides a fallback and reduces the risk of losing files, messages, or configuration information.
Domain Name Search
If you are checking a domain before a transfer, use your current registrar account and the domain's registration data to confirm its status. If you need a new domain instead, search availability below.
Summary
A domain transfer, hosting migration, DNS change, and email migration are separate operations. Understanding that distinction is the key to moving services safely. For a registrar transfer, confirm eligibility, unlock the domain when required, obtain the Auth-Code, start the request with the gaining registrar, and complete the required authorization steps.
If the website or email is also moving, build and test the new services before changing DNS and keep the old services active until the transition is verified. Careful preparation can minimize interruption without making an unrealistic guarantee of zero downtime.
Author Bio: Mark Cole
Digital content writer with a passion for crafting engaging and informative copy. With over 9 years of international copy writing experience and...
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Comments (1)
Thanks, RSH Web Services, for the clear guide on domain transfers! The tip about recreating email accounts first is a lifesaver. Q: How can I ensure my website files are backed up properly before the move?
Great question! To back up website files before a domain transfer, download all files via FTP (using tools like FileZilla) and export your database via phpMyAdmin. Save copies on your local drive and a cloud service like Google Drive. Verify backups are complete before initiating the transfer to avoid data loss.