How to Transfer Away a Domain Name From Bluehost to FastComet

Updated on May 17, 2022

Bluehost is among the largest hosting companies and as part of their web hosting service, they also offer domain name registration. If you already have the perfect domain name, but you are not completely happy with your domain Bluehost registrar — do not worry! You can transfer that domain to another registrar stress and hassle-free. The best thing, in that case, is that when you transfer your domain name over, you will be able to manage all your domain settings and billing from your FastComet account, and you will have everything needed in one place. Additionally, you can use the domain name as a Private DNS or set it up with Google Apps. Also, we will send you an email to inform you when your domain is close to expiration in order to avoid any website downtime due to missed domain renewal.

Here at FastComet, we make it exceptionally easy to transfer a domain registered that you have registered with Bluehost. Let us guide you through each step with simple instructions.

Table of Contents:

Prepare to Transfer the Domain Safely and Easily

Before we continue with the domain transfer, keep note that when transferring a domain name away, the nameservers associated with that domain stay the same during the transfer from a registrar to another. For example: in case your domain name is using the default Bluehost nameservers, those will be preserved during the domain transfer. That’s why you will not be able to change your domain’s nameservers until the transfer is finished.

So, in case you have switched to another web hosting provider and your website was already migrated, you need to make sure that your domain name is pointed to the right nameservers before initiating the domain transfer. Again — you will NOT be able to change the domain’s nameservers until the domain name transfer is complete.

Keep in mind that Domain Name Registration and Web Hosting are separate services. The domain name transfer completion will not migrate your website automatically. If you are a FastComet customer and your wish is to transfer your website from Bluehost, go ahead and submit a migration request from your client area. Our transfer experts will move your existing sites and emails free of charge, as quickly as possible, and with zero downtime.

Special Offer:

Once the domain name transfer is completed, you can take advantage of our special offer. We will renew your domain for one year free of charge.

The details listed in this article are only in regards to transferring your domain’s registration to another registrar. The transferring of the hosting for your website is a completely different process. You can read more about that process in the following article: How to transfer your website to FastComet.

Review Domain Name Transfer Requirements

Domain names need to have been registered for more than 60 days in order for them to be eligible for transfer. This 60-day registrar lock is to prevent fraud and theft of domains. This is according to ICANN's Transfer Policy;
You cannot transfer your domain if it's within 60 days of а previous transfer;
Usually, the domain name should have more than 15 days before its expiration date;

For more information on that matter, you can check our tutorial on domain transfer requirements.

Prior to attempting to transfer a domain away from Bluehost, you need to complete the following steps. We will provide guides for both the Bluerock and the Legacy Bluehost system.

Bluehost Rock vs Legacy Control Panel

Bluehost offers two different account management interface options; the original 'Legacy' control panel and Bluerock — the new user interface, introduced in 2018. Bluerock is designed for simplicity and ease of use. While management options are generally the same across interfaces, the location of some of the settings may vary between the two.

Steps to Transfer A Domain From Bluehost (Bluerock)

There are a few things that you have to do before you need to do before transferring your domain. Follow these steps to access your domain settings:

1. Prepare your Domain

Log in to your Bluehost control panel.
Select Domains from the side navigation menu to the left.

Find Domains in Your Bluehost Admin Panel

2. Review Contact Information

Your contact information is included on your domain's record in the WHOIS database, as ICANN requires. Upon transfer, the gaining registrar will use the information on the domain's record to email crucial information about the transfer to the administrative contact, so you need to make sure it's correct. It's best to avoid using an email address associated with the domain — use a public email service, such as Gmail.

You will only see the option to opt-out of the 60-day transfer lock if saving your changes will trigger a Change of Registrant request. If the option is not there, the Change of Registrant process will not apply.

Follow these steps to update your domain's contact information:

Click the Domains tab from the side navigation menu to the left.
Next to the domain name you wish to update, click the ▼ icon next to Manage.
A drop-down menu will appear. From there, select Contact Info:

Select Contact Info in Your Bluehost Admin Panel

You are able to view and edit each individually or all at once, depending on which box(es) you've selected.
Make changes to the information for each contact as necessary. Double-check the information to verify that you have entered the new owner's correct email address for the registrant and admin.

Do you see the option to opt out of the 60-day transfer lock? If that’s not the case, click the Update Contact Information button to save your changes. If the option is there, updating the contact information will initiate a Change of Registrant request, which requires both parties to approve of the changes before the updated record can be submitted to the registry.

3. Update Name Servers

After you've already moved your website files to a FastComet, you should update your name servers to minimize downtime during the transfer. As we mentioned already, you cannot make DNS changes while the transfer is in progress.

Click the Domains tab from the side navigation menu to the left.
Next to the domain name you wish to update, click the ▼ icon next to Manage.
Select the DNS option from the drop-down menu that appears.
Click the Edit button.
Select Custom.
Enter the new name servers provided by your new registrar.
Once done, click the Save button:

Change Nameservers with Bluehost

Your new DNS settings will begin to propagate as soon as you save your changes. Each Internet Service Provider (ISP) updates at a different rate. It usually takes 24 - 72 hours to complete worldwide. During this time, your emails will be down, and your web traffic will be directed to either the old (Bluehost) or new (FastComet) host, depending on the visitor's ISP.

4. Unlock the Domain

Domains are locked by default to prevent unauthorized transfers. You have to unlock the domain before it can be transferred to a new registrar.

Next to the domain name you wish to update, click the ▼ icon next to Manage.
Choose Security from the drop-down menu that appears:

On the Security options, locate Transfer Lock, and then click the switch icon on the right side to Unlock the Domain:

Disable Transfer Lock with Bluehost

5. Obtain EPP Code

Next, you need the EPP code, which other registrars may refer to as the Authorization or Auth code. It is essentially a unique password for the domain, made up of letters, numbers, and special characters, which you'll give to the gaining registrar to authorize the transfer.

Next to the domain name you wish to update, click the ▼ icon next to Manage, then choose Security from the drop-down menu that appears:

Scroll down, locate the Transfer Authorization / EPP Code, and then click the Send Code button:

Locate the Transfer Authorization EPP Code

Steps to Transfer A Domain From Bluehost (Legacy)

As with Bluerock, there are a few things you need to do before transferring your domain when using the Legacy version of the Bluehost system. First, follow these steps to access your domain settings: