How to Transfer a Domain: Step-by-Step Guide

Millions of domain owners are paying too much because they registered with GoDaddy, Network Solutions, or other expensive registrars and never transferred to a cheaper alternative. Transferring a .com from GoDaddy ($22.99/year renewal) to Cloudflare ($9.15/year) saves $13.84 per domain per year. For a 10-domain portfolio, that is $138 saved annually — every year, forever.

Domain transfers are straightforward but involve specific steps that must be followed in order. Skip a step and the transfer fails. This guide walks you through the entire process, from unlocking your domain to verifying the transfer at your new registrar.

• 60-day rule: Ensure your domain was registered or last transferred more than 60 days ago. ICANN prohibits transfers within 60 days of registration or previous transfer.
• Contact info changes: Some registrars impose a 60-day transfer lock after changing registrant contact information. Update your info at the new registrar after transferring, not before.
• Expiration date: Do not transfer a domain within 15 days of its expiration date. The transfer adds one year, but if it fails during processing, the domain could expire mid-transfer.
• Note your DNS records: Before starting, screenshot or export your current DNS records (A, CNAME, MX, TXT). While transfers should not change DNS, having a backup ensures you can restore settings if anything goes wrong.
• Disable DNSSEC: If DNSSEC is enabled, disable it at your current registrar before transferring. DNSSEC records at the registry level can conflict during transfer and cause DNS resolution failures.

Step 1: Unlock Your Domain

Log into your current registrar's dashboard. Find your domain's settings and disable the "Transfer Lock" or "Registrar Lock." This lock prevents unauthorized transfers. Most registrars have this under Domain Settings > Security or Transfer.

Step 2: Get Your EPP/Auth Code

Request an EPP authorization code (also called auth code, transfer key, or EPP key) from your current registrar. This is usually available in the domain management panel. Some registrars email it to you; others display it on screen. The code expires after a few days, so use it promptly.

Step 3: Initiate Transfer at New Registrar

Go to your new registrar (we recommend Cloudflare or Namecheap) and start a domain transfer. Enter your domain name and the EPP code. Pay the transfer fee (one year's renewal). The new registrar submits the transfer request to the registry.

Step 4: Approve the Transfer

You will receive a confirmation email from your current registrar (or ICANN) asking you to approve the transfer. Click the approval link immediately. If you do not respond, the transfer auto-approves after 5 days in most cases. Approving manually speeds up the process significantly.

Step 5: Verify Completion

After 1-7 days, check that the domain appears in your new registrar's dashboard. Verify that your DNS records transferred correctly. If DNS records did not carry over, re-enter them from your backup. Test your website and email to ensure everything works.

For detailed comparisons, see our best domain registrars 2026 guide. If you are transferring from GoDaddy, the savings from switching to Cloudflare are substantial — $13+ per domain per year.