How to Transfer your Domain Name to Another Registrar

When registering a domain name, you are considered the official domain name owner. At any time, you, as the domain name owner, can switch to a registrar that suits your needs better. You can initiate the transfer itself with the gaining registrar, and there are a few things you can do to ensure the process goes smoothly.

This post includes:

• Why Transfer My Domain?
• Essential Things to Keep in Mind When Considering a Domain Transfer
• Registrar Features
• Price
• Changing Ownership
• Domain Transfer Prerequisites
• Can I Still Transfer My Domain to Another Registrar If It Has Expired?
• How to Transfer Your Domain to Another Registrar
• What to Do if Your Domain Name Registrar Denied Your Request
• Final Thoughts

Why Transfer My Domain?

Domain registrars vary widely from one another. There are many more aspects of registrars than just selling you a domain name: from the functionality they offer to their dependability. The good news is that you're not obligated to use your registrar if you are dissatisfied with them. You can change at any moment.

Essential Things to Keep in Mind When Considering a Domain Transfer

There are several factors to consider when switching to a new registrar.

Registrar Features

Every registrar provides various options and services, including email, web hosting, and privacy protection. You could take advantage of a better package provided by another registrar if your current registrar does not offer all the services you are looking for. Along with comparing features and services, it's critical to consider how those features and services are deployed and priced:

• Do the features and services you require come standard with the package, or do you have to pay extra for them?
• Are the functionalities you require simple to implement? Will you need to complete them manually, or does the registrar provide straightforward tools to simplify tasks?
• Support: Will there be customer service when you need it?
• Who supplies the features they are selling, exactly? While other registrars collaborate with outside providers, some offer their own services for email and web hosting.

Price

Each domain registrar has a unique pricing structure, so pay close attention to it. Some registrars might charge extra fees for services you deem essential, while others might provide the same services for free. Some might have modest initial prices but considerably higher renewal rates after that. You can hunt for a less expensive registrar if the price your domain registrar is billing you is higher than what you would be charged elsewhere.

The price itself might not be enough to warrant switching your registrar, though. A domain registrar that meets your demands is considerably more valuable than saving a few bucks a year on a domain name. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each registrar before deciding to transfer.

Changing Ownership

You must complete a domain transfer if you want to transfer ownership of your domain from one person to another or from that person to you. You could move your domain to an account managed by your company, for instance, if an employee registered it under a personal account. In some circumstances, you could transfer to a different registrar altogether with your ownership transfer.

Domain Transfer Prerequisites

• The domain name has to be unlocked for transfer. Once unlocked, the domain's status will change to OK or Active when looked up via a Whois check;
• You, as the owner of the domain, should have access to the domain's administrative email address;
• You will also need your domain's EPP/Authorization code. With FastComet, you obtain it from your Client Area (my.fastcomet.com). Go to Domains → Manage Domain → Tools → Get EPP Code. Keep in mind that some domains do not have an EPP key but instead have a service tag (such as .UK domains);

• Domain names must be registered for more than 60 days to be eligible for transfer. This period enforces a mandatory registrar lock on the domain. It is to prevent fraud and theft of domains;

• Usually, the domain name should have more than 15 days before its expiration date, because a domain transfer can take up to 15 days to complete.

Can I Still Transfer My Domain to Another Registrar If It Has Expired?

A transfer of an expired domain is not possible. The domain has to be renewed, for the transfer to be successful.

Verify that your domain can still be renewed and that your existing registrar hasn't deleted the domain name. Depending on the specific TLD (Top Level Domain) the renewal window can be as big as up to 60 days. Your expired domain will be made publically available for purchase if not renewed within the correct timeframe. Our excellent tutorial explains a domain name's various stages when active or expired.

How to Transfer Your Domain to Another Registrar

Once you have covered all the requirements to transfer your domain to another registrar, please follow these steps:

• At your current registrar, unlock your domain name. If you are a FastComet client, you do this by visiting your Client Area (my.fastcomet.com). Once there, go to Domains → My Domains;

• On the chosen domain name, click Manage Domain;
• Then choose Tools → Registrar Lock;
• Finally, click on Disable Registrar Lock;
• Purchase (if required) a transfer with the registrar where you would like to move your domain name (also referred to as Gaining Registrar).
• Next, you will receive an email from your new registrar with an authorization code. Follow the instructions to confirm the transfer. You can often use the authorization code in Step 2 when you initially request the transfer.
• The new registrar will notify the current registrar (also referred to as Losing Registrar) to transfer the domain name. Confirm the release when you receive a request for authorization from your current registrar to release the domain name.

The gaining registrar will notify you once the domain name has been transferred. The process typically takes 1 to 15 days, depending on the registrar. You can reference the ICANN Policy on Transfer of Registrations between Registrars for further information.

What to Do if Your Domain Name Registrar Denied Your Request

There are a few reasons why your request can be denied:

• Your information and the information of the domain owner may not match. Or the registrar can't confirm that you are the owner. Ensure that your contact information is current, and provide them with the information they require (ID, domain purchase receipt, and so on).
• It's possible that the domain name owner sent a transfer objection. Contact the domain name owner if you need to remedy the problem.
• The domain name may have been put on hold if you owe your DNS registrar any money from prior domain purchases. Make sure to settle any unpaid debt.
• The domain name may not be unlocked. Make sure the Registrar Lock has been removed.
• You may also be subject to the 60-day Change of Registrant lock, in which case you must wait that long before making the transfer.

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, transferring a domain name to another registrar is effortless if you cover all the requirements. We hope this guide was helpful to you. Feel free to contact our customer support team via LiveChat if you have any hosting-related questions. When it comes to transferring domains, we have a series of guides on how to transfer your domain from specific web hosts to FastComet.

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