subject: Transfer A Domain [print this page] Transfer A Domain Transfer A Domain
When and Why You May Need to Pack Your Bags and Transfer Your Domain to Another Domain Registrar
Having to do a domain transfer to a new registrar can be a little intimidating the first time you do it. If you don't know what you have to do to prepare for it, the domain transfer can take twice as long to accomplish, or even not go through at all. It's easy to make sure you're prepared, however, and by the end of this article you should have everything you need to know.
Let's start at the beginning
What does it mean to transfer a domain, and why might you need to do it?
Transferring a domain is simply when you take a domain that currently registered at one registrar and transfer it so that it's registered at a different registrar, either under your name or someone else.
The two main reasons on why people transfer domains.
1 - If you're simply selling the domain to someone else.
2 - If you want to switch registrars for some reason.
Now, the biggest mistake most people make the first time they transfer a domain is not being properly prepared beforehand.
There are two main requirements that you need to be aware of before you can transfer a domain to a new registrar successfully.
1 - You can't transfer a domain that was registered less than 60 days ago. So, if you have a domain that you registered 57 days ago, you'll have to wait the three days before being able to start the transfer process.
2 - The other thing you need to make sure of is that your WHOIS information is up-to-date, particularly the contact e-mail listed. The reason is that when you go to the new registrar and tell them to transfer the domain, they'll automatically send out an e-mail to the address listed in the WHOIS information.
This is a precaution to prevent people from initiating transfers on domains they don't actually own. If your e-mail is currently listed correctly, then you're good to go. If you're using any kind of privacy service to shield your WHOIS information, you will need to disable it before you initiate the transfer.
Once you're certain that your domain is old enough and your e-mail is properly listed, all you need to do is go to the registrar of your choice and tell them to transfer the domain. They will send an e-mail to the address listed with a link to a page allowing you to authorize the transfer. Once you've done this, it should only take a few days to process, and you will have your domain on your new registrar.
