A domain transfer means changing the company you manage your domain through, and it takes four steps: remove the transfer lock at your current registrar, get the transfer code (EPP or auth code), start the transfer at the new registrar with that code and pay, then approve the confirmation email. For extensions like .com the process usually completes within 5 days. Done properly, your site and email don't go down for a single minute.
A transfer doesn't change ownership. Whoever the domain is registered to stays the owner afterwards. Changing the owner is a separate process.
Before you start: where does DNS live?
This is the most skipped part of the process and the one that causes the most trouble. First find out where your domain's DNS records are managed. There are three possibilities:
- DNS is at your hosting company. If the nameservers point to something like ns1.hostingcompany.com, the records live at your host. The transfer doesn't touch them.
- DNS is at an independent service like Cloudflare. If the nameservers point to Cloudflare, the transfer doesn't touch DNS.
- DNS is at the registrar you're leaving. If the nameservers belong to your current domain company, those records may not come with you when the transfer completes. The site and email stop suddenly.
If you're in the third case, take screenshots or an export of all DNS records before the transfer. Every A, CNAME, MX and TXT record. MX and TXT records carry your email; SPF and DKIM are TXT records too. The safest route is to move DNS to an independent service like Cloudflare, or to your host, before the transfer and make sure it works for a few days. We explain how DNS works in our DNS settings guide.
Step-by-step transfer
1. Confirm account and email access. Can you log in to the account where the domain is registered? Can you reach the email address on that account? Transfer approvals go there.
2. Check eligibility. For extensions like .com, .net and .org, a domain may not be transferable within 60 days of first registration or the last transfer. Transfers of domains that are about to expire or already expired can also be refused; renew first. If it has expired, start with the steps in my domain expired.
3. Remove the transfer lock. The domain panel has a switch called 'transfer lock', 'domain lock' or 'registrar lock'. Turn it off.
4. Get the transfer code. The same panel calls it the 'EPP code', 'auth code' or 'transfer code'. Some companies show it on screen, others email it to the registered address.
5. Start the transfer at the new company. Enter the domain and code in the new registrar's 'transfer' section and pay. For international extensions the transfer fee usually includes one year of renewal; your remaining time isn't lost, a year is added.
6. Approve it. An email arrives at the registered address asking you to approve the transfer. Approving speeds things up. If the current registrar doesn't reject it, the transfer completes on its own within a few days.
7. Check afterwards. Does the site load, does email arrive, are the nameservers as expected? At the new company, turn on auto-renewal and two-step verification, and re-enable the transfer lock.
Transferring .tr domains like .com.tr
.tr domains are managed through TRABİS, but the logic is the same: get a transfer code from the current registrar and apply with it at the new one. Screen names and approval steps can vary between companies. Follow the steps on the new registrar's .tr transfer page and ask their support where you get stuck. You'll find the general rules for .tr domains in how to register a .com.tr domain.
Why are transfers rejected?
- The transfer code is wrong or expired. Some companies' codes are valid for a limited time; get a new one.
- The lock is still on.
- The 60-day waiting period hasn't passed.
- No approval because the registered email couldn't be reached.
- The domain has an unpaid balance or is locked due to a legal process.
If you get a rejection, read the message; the reason is usually stated. Fix it and start the transfer again.
If your former agency won't give you the code
If the domain is registered in your name but the account is with the agency, you're entitled to the transfer code. Ask in writing, with a deadline. If there's no reply, you can apply directly to the registrar, prove with documents that you own the domain, and request the code.
If the domain is registered in the agency's name, it's different; an ownership change is needed first. We cover that scenario in my web designer won't hand over my site.
Domain transfer or hosting move?
The two are often confused. A domain transfer changes the company that manages your domain. Your site's files don't move. Moving the site to another server is a hosting change and a separate process; we cover it step by step in moving a site when changing hosting. Not doing both on the same day makes it easier to find the cause if something goes wrong.
If you want your domain, hosting and email accounts in one tidy setup, and even working out what is where feels like a job, write to us. We start with an inventory and propose a migration plan without downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the site go down during a domain transfer?
Not if the DNS records live somewhere the transfer doesn't affect. If DNS is at the old registrar and you don't move the records first, site and email can stop.
What is a transfer code and where do I get it?
It's a password showing that the domain owner approves the transfer. Also called an EPP code or auth code, you get it from your current registrar's panel.
Is a transfer paid?
For international extensions, usually yes, but the fee includes a year of renewal and your term is extended by a year. For .tr extensions, pricing depends on the registrar.
Can I transfer a domain I just registered?
For extensions like .com, transfers are usually not possible within 60 days of first registration. You can transfer once that period has passed.
Blog posts are for general information only and are not a substitute for legal, financial or technical advice.
