Domains are regulated by an organization called ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), this organization set the rules and regulations that govern the way domains work. Part of these rules cover how domains are transferred between registrars. In this article, we will talk about the general requirements for transferring domains between providers.
The process of transferring a domain from a different registrar to your account with us can appear overwhelming and confusing especially if you are not familiar with it. We hope this guide will help you to understand the basics and the requirements of the domain transfer process from a provider to another.
Before submitting a transfer order, we typically recommend preparing your domains for transfer at your current registrar. Here is a quick checklist of things to complete prior to placing your domain transfer order:
- Unlock your domain: it is a general rule and requirement for transferring domains between providers. To be able to transfer your domain from your current provider, the domain must be unlocked at the current provider. Consult your domain provider support for help unlocking the domain.
- Administrative contact email availability: Make sure you have access to the administrative contact email address associated with the domain in WHOIS. As detailed below, we are required to email this address with a link so the owner of the domain can click on it to verify the domain transfer.
- Remove privacy: We typically recommend removing domain privacy services prior to transfer. This is not always a requirement, but some registrars do not permit transfers if privacy services are used. Additionally, some privacy services shield the email addresses associated with the domain in WHOIS and therefore preventing completion of step 2 above. You can leave the privacy service on for your domain if you are sure that your registrar will still permit the transfer, and you verify that you can receive email addressed to the administrative contact address in WHOIS.
- EPP transfer code: You must retrieve the EPP transfer authorization code from your current registrar in order to transfer your domain (this code acts as a password which permits initiation of domain transfers between providers). The process for obtaining the transfer code will be different for each registrar, but registrars are required to allow you to acquire the code. Consult your current domain provider for help getting the EPP code.
- Other considerations:
- The domain must not have been registered within the last 60 days. You can still complete your transfer order on our site if the domain was registered in the last 60 days. Our system will resume the transfer process on the 61st day automatically.
- The domain must not have been transferred within the last 60 days. You can still complete your transfer order on our site if the domain was transferred within the last 60 days. Our system will resume the transfer process on the 61st day automatically.
- The domain is not within 7 days of expiration if the registrar you are leaving does not permit accepting outbound transfers. There is more information on this below, but if your domain expires within 7 days, first check with your current registrar to ensure they allow approval of outbound transfers to bypass the standard 5-6 day waiting period.
- You should try to avoid transferring domains within 45 days of your most recent renewal. This is due to the fact that you will lose credit for that renewal and your only remedy is to try to get a refund from your current registrar.
Once you ensure the checklist above all met, you can then begin your domain transfer order. Visit our guide on the steps of placing a domain transfer order to begin the process:
https://dash.wevrlabs.net/knowledgebase/4788/How-to-Transfer-a-Domain-to-Us.html
