If you want to transfer your domain to another host, you’ll need the AuthCode for it. You can use this code to start the transfer of your domain to your new provider.
Learn how to transfer your domain to another hosting provider
The first time you registered a domain name for your website, you had to go through either a domain name registrar or a hosting provider. But if, for whatever reason – faster load times, smoother ease of use, cheaper renewal prices – you want to move your domain name from one host to another, it’s completely possible! The only restriction is that you’ll have to wait at least 60 days after purchasing a domain before you can transfer it.
The process of transferring a domain is easy, but it takes some time. That’s because you’ll need to wait for both your current domain name registrar and the host you’re switching to to authorize the domain name transfer.
Here are the steps broken down:
How to Transfer a Domain Name
- Choose a new host and create an account
- Disable domain privacy
- Unlock your domain name
- Request an authorization code
- Initiate the transfer
If you first purchased your domain through a web host, you may want to transfer because you’ve found a better hosting provider. But even if you purchased your domain through a standalone registrar, there are still benefits to transferring. For one thing, having your domain and your web hosting under the same virtual “roof” means you can manage everything in one place.
Choose a New Host and Create an Account
Before you can begin the domain transfer process, you need to pick out the new host you’d like to transfer to. You may have picked out your new host already, in which case you can skip to the next step.
Disable Domain Privacy
Most registrars offer domain privacy when you sign up, and some offer it for free – so it’s likely that you’ll want to use this service. If you have domain privacy, it means that your registrar is protecting your personal information by hiding it in the WHOIS database. Instead of seeing your name and contact details listed, users who look up your site will only find a forwarding address posted by your registrar.
Domain privacy basically means that your registrar publicly registers your domain in its own name, for the sake of your privacy. In order to proceed with your domain name transfer, you have to disable domain privacy with your current registrar, and then wait for the central registry to update its records with your actual name and details.
Unlock Your Domain Name
Most domain name registrars “lock” your domain by default when you purchase it. This ensures that your domain is safe from unauthorized changes to contact details, DNS settings, and ownership. Locking also protects your domain from unauthorized transfer attempts.
This means that you’ll need to manually unlock your domain name in order to transfer it. Luckily, most registrars make this very simple. Sign in to your registrar, and look for the button to disable your domain lock – it will usually be under a tab labelled “Transferring,” “Sharing,” or something similar, and easy to locate.
Once you request unlocking, it happens immediately.
Request an Authorization Code
After you’ve disabled your domain lock, look for the option to receive an authorization code (it will usually be within the same section of the registrar dashboard). Registrars create this code to help identify you as the domain name holder.
Most registrars send this code via email, but note that it could take up to five days to receive it. Make sure your email address is up-to-date beforehand, to avoid unnecessary delays!
Initiate the Transfer
Once your domain is unlocked and you have the authorization code from your old registrar, you can begin the transfer process with your host. You’ll be prompted to enter information at this stage, including your authorization code.
The new host will walk you through this process – just make sure you follow the prompts to transfer a domain, not to register a new one!
Your new registrar will give you a time frame for how long the transfer will take (up to 14 days, but usually less), and you’ll likely receive status updates from both your old and new registrar via email.
At this point, most hosting providers will either charge you a transfer fee, or charge you to renew your domain for an additional year. You’ll need to make this purchase in order for the transfer to complete successfully.
Summary
Whether you’re sick of your old hosting provider, or you just want your domain name and your hosting managed under one roof, transferring a domain to another hosting provider is very doable. To recap, these are your five steps to success:
- Choose a new host and create an account – Get set up with your new provider.
- Disable domain privacy – Make sure your contact information is available.
- Unlock your domain name – Free up your domain name for transfer.
- Request an authorization code – Identify yourself as the domain name holder.
- Initiate the transfer – Move your domain to its new home.
Regardless of which hosting provider you transfer a domain to, these steps will serve as a general guide.