Apart from SOPA and PIPA, you’ll have several reasons to migrate your domain names to a new registrar. A domain name transfer is the process of changing the designated registrar of a domain name. Reasons why you want to transfer could be,
1. You want to keep all the domains on a single domain registrar.
2. You have hosting account with a particular registrar.
3. You brought domain names for $1 on some registrars and you want to migrate to your regular one.
You’ll have more reasons like this, and I’ll tell you the procedure in simple to transfer domain name to new registrar. Please note that ICANN regulations prohibit transferring domain names registered or previously transferred in the last 60 days.
Steps To Transfer Domain Name To New Registrar
Just remember these two silly things which people normally get confused,
Current Registrar – The one you are using now. (at present)
New Registrar – The one you are going to use. (your domains will be here after transfer)
1. Purchase Domain Transfer
Go to your new Registrar (say GoDaddy) and purchase “Domain Transfer”. Normally it costs around 7$ to 8$. Also remember Transfer includes time left on existing registration plus a FREE 1 year extension. You’ll have 2 options, either to keep the existing nameservers on your transferring domain names as currently set at your domain registrar or change your transferring domain names to GoDaddy park nameservers. Obviously you should pick the former if you hosted your blog elsewhere.
They’ll send an email contains the transfer IDs (transaction ID and security code) you need to authorize the transfer in your account with them. Now after purchasing the domain name, your new registrar will ask for “Authorization Code”.
Some domain name registries assign authorization codes (also known as EPP codes or transfer keys) to domain names when you register them. Authorization codes are unique and provide an extra level of security, safeguarding domain names from unauthorized transfers. (via GoDaddy Help Center)
2. Request Authorization Code in Current Registrar
Now you need to go to your current domain registrar (say XYZ.com) and request for Authorization Code. Kindly remember these two things :
1. Domain Protection should be turned off.
2. Domain name should be unlocked.
After doing these only you can get the authorization code from your current registrar. Now they’ll send your the code via email.
3. Using Authorization Code on New Registrar
Like I said they’ll send your the authorization code. Now go to your new registrar and start the transfer process.
Your new registrar will show “Authorization Required” and choose “Begin Transfer Authorization” (Recommended). Then enter the authorization code that you received from the current registrar and complete the process.
After doing all these, the status will be displayed as “Pending Current Registrar approval” and choose “Accept transfer at current registrar” (Recommended).
4. Confirming Your Transfer Request
Now you will get an email from your current registrar to confirm the transfer process. You don’t have to do anything actually, just read the email and keep it safe. But if you wish to cancel the transfer, then you need to follow the instructions given in that email. A sample email will be like this :
We received notification on March 11, 2011 3:09:13 AM EDT that you have requested to transfer to another domain name registrar. If you would like to proceed with this transfer you do not need to respond to this message…
…If we do not hear from you by March 16, 2011 3:09:13 AM EDT, this transfer will proceed. We are committed to providing you with the solutions, services, and support to help you succeed online. We hope to continue serving you in the future.
5. Complete Domain Transfer
You will get a confirmation email from your new registrar within 5 days after completing the transfer at the current registrar. The current registrar has up to 5 days to release the transfer of the domain name.
Hope these simple steps are useful for you to transfer domain name to new registrar, if you have any issues with domain transfer, kindly comment below. Thanks.
The post was so obvious that new bloggers can easily understand.
I transferred a domain from GoDaddy to NameCheap and it took almost 10 days to finish the process.