How to transfer a domainname from one registrar to another

Warning: this is a complex process, and the steps noted below are a guide only. You should consult a networking professional before attempting to transfer a domainname. Failing to migrate correctly may result in the loss of email and web service, among other things, to the affected domainname.

Situation: you want to change domainname registrars.

Note: this process requires that you have access to the mailbox associated with the administrative contact address contained in the WHOIS record for your domain. If this address is no longer valid, the current domainname administrator (eg. someone with access to the existing domainname registrar's control panel) must change it to an address that is valid. If you cannot access the mailbox or the control panel, you must contact the existing registrar and follow their process for obtaining control of the domainname.

Process:

1. Confirm that the administrative contact email address in the WHOIS record is correct.
2. Confirm that the domainname is unlocked. The WHOIS record should show "Status: ok". If it shows "Status: clientTransferProhibited" the domainname is locked, and cannot be transferred. The current domainname administrator (eg. someone with access to the existing domainname registrar's control panel) must unlock the domain before the transfer can be made.
3. Login to the OLD domainname registrar's control panel and request an AUTH-ID for the domainname. The AUTH-ID will be emailed to the address of the administrative contact for the domain.
4. Connect to the mailbox associated with the administrative contact and obtain the AUTH-ID.
5. Login to the NEW domainname registrar's control panel and initiate an inward domain transfer request, providing the AUTH-ID as needed. The request will be emailed to the address of the administrative contact for the domain.
6. Connect to the mailbox associated with the administrative contact and obtain the transfer request.
7. Follow the instructions in the email to accept the transfer request.

If the transfer request is not accepted via the above process, the request will expire and the transfer will fail.

Once the request is accepted, the transfer will commence. It will take approximately 24 hours to complete.

If a hosting account is already active for the domainname:

• nameservers will NOT change
• web or email traffic will NOT be disrupted

If the domainname has no hosting and is using web/email forwarding provided by the OLD registrar:

• the nameservers will change to the nameservers of the NEW registrar
• web and email forwarding will need to be recreated using the NEW registrar's control panel

Note: you should always ensure that the administrative contact email addresses for all of your domainnames are valid, and that only you and people you trust have access to your domainname registrar's control panel.