domain transfer: step-by-step guide and pitfalls

# domain transfer: step-by-step guide and pitfalls Transferring your domain to another provider can have various reasons: better service, lower costs, or you want your domain and hosting with the same provider. A domain transfer is fortunately fairly simple, but there are a number of important steps and pitfalls to watch out for. In this guide, we explain exactly how to transfer your domain safely and quickly. ## why would you transfer your domain? There are various reasons why people transfer their domain: **Save costs** - prices can differ significantly between providers. Paying €15/year now while it can be €7/year elsewhere? Then you save considerably in the long run. **Better service** - poor customer service or outdated management environment? A new provider can make a big difference in user-friendliness. **Everything in one place** - many people want their domain and hosting with the same provider for easy management. **Extra features** - better DNS tools, free WHOIS privacy, or better email forwarding options. **Acquisition or merger** - your current provider has been acquired and you want to leave, or your company is merging and everything needs to be with one provider. ## what do you need for a domain transfer? Before you start the move, make sure you have the following: **Auth code (EPP code)** - this is the authorization code that proves you are the owner of the domain. You request this from your current provider. **Access to your current provider** - you must be able to log in to unlock the domain and request the auth code. **Access to your email** - confirmation emails are sent to the email address registered with the domain. **At least 60 days since last transfer** - you cannot transfer a domain within 60 days of registration or a previous transfer. **No ongoing disputes** - the domain must not be in a dispute or blocked by legal proceedings. ## domain transfer: step by step ### step 1: check if your domain can be transferred Not every domain can just be transferred. Check the following: - Was the domain registered at least 60 days ago? - Does the domain not expire within 7 days? (renew first!) - Is the domain not involved in a legal dispute? - Do you have access to the email address registered with the domain? For .nl domains, a special rule applies: you can transfer them almost always, even if they are about to expire. For .com, .net and other generic extensions, stricter rules apply. ### step 2: unlock your domain Most domains have a "registrar lock" or "transfer lock" that prevents them from being transferred just like that (protection against theft). Log in with your current provider and: - go to domain management - look up your domain - look for "lock status" or "transfer lock" - set the lock to "unlocked" or "off" At TransIP this is called "blocking", at other providers "domain lock" or "registrar lock". The exact name differs, but the function is the same. **Note:** some providers make this deliberately difficult to find to prevent customers from leaving. Can't find it? Contact their support. ### step 3: request the auth code The auth code (also called EPP code, transfer key or authorization code) is a unique code that proves you may transfer the domain. **For .nl domains:** Log in with your provider and request the auth code. You usually get it displayed immediately or sent by email. The code looks like: `Ab12Cd34Ef56` **For .com, .net, .org and other generic domains:** These codes are often longer and more complex: `Xy9#2Kl!pQw@3vB$n` **Keep this code safe** - anyone with this code can transfer your domain. Never share it publicly. ### step 4: start the transfer with your new provider Go to your new provider (for example [TransIP](/nl/providers/transip), [Vimexx](/nl/providers/vimexx) or [Antagonist](/nl/providers/antagonist)) and start a domain transfer: 1. Go to domain transfer or "transfer domain" 2. Enter your domain name 3. Enter the auth code 4. Check your contact details 5. Pay the transfer costs (usually €5-€15) **Note:** with most providers you automatically get 1 extra year of registration with the transfer. So you're actually paying for a renewal, the transfer itself is free. This applies to .com, .net, .org - but not always to .nl domains. ### step 5: confirm the transfer After starting the transfer, the following happens: **Within minutes:** you receive a confirmation email at the email address registered with your domain. **For .com/.net/.org domains:** you must explicitly confirm the transfer via a link in the email. If you don't do this, the transfer can take up to 5 days (waiting period). **For .nl domains:** no confirmation needed, the transfer starts automatically. **At your old provider:** some providers also send an email that your domain is moving. You can cancel the transfer here if something is wrong, but usually you don't need to do anything. ### step 6: wait for the transfer The transfer takes depending on the extension: - **.nl domains:** 1-24 hours (usually within 2-4 hours) - **.com, .net, .org:** 5-7 days (or faster if you confirm the transfer) - **.eu domains:** 5-7 days - **new extensions (.shop, .tech, etc.):** varies, usually 5-7 days You can track the status of the transfer in the control panel of your new provider. **Important tip:** your website stays online during the transfer! The transfer only affects who manages the domain, not where it points to. ### step 7: check DNS settings Once the transfer is complete: 1. Check if your domain is in the control panel of your new provider 2. Check if the DNS settings have been transferred correctly 3. Test if your website is still accessible 4. Test if your emails still work With most transfers, DNS settings are automatically transferred, but it's smart to check this. It can take up to 48 hours for DNS changes to be propagated worldwide. ## pitfalls and common mistakes ### pitfall 1: domain is locked **Problem:** you start the transfer, but get an error message that the domain is locked. **Solution:** unlock the domain first with your current provider (see step 2). ### pitfall 2: wrong auth code **Problem:** the auth code is not accepted. **Solution:** - pay attention to uppercase and lowercase letters (the code is case-sensitive) - copy/paste the code instead of retyping - request a new auth code if the old one doesn't work (codes sometimes expire) ### pitfall 3: domain is too recently registered **Problem:** you try to transfer a domain that was registered or transferred less than 60 days ago. **Solution:** wait until the 60 days have passed. For .nl domains this rule does not apply - they can always be transferred. ### pitfall 4: no access to confirmation email **Problem:** the confirmation email is sent to an email address you no longer have access to. **Solution:** - first update the contact email with your current provider - wait 24 hours (WHOIS update) - then start the transfer ### pitfall 5: domain expires during transfer **Problem:** your domain expires while the transfer is in progress. **Solution:** always renew your domain BEFORE you start the transfer if it expires within a month. An expired domain cannot be transferred. ### pitfall 6: DNS settings disappeared after transfer **Problem:** after the transfer your website no longer works. **Solution:** - note your DNS settings BEFORE the transfer - set them up again with your new provider - when in doubt: use the nameservers of your hosting provider ### pitfall 7: old provider sends invoice for renewal **Problem:** your old provider still sends an invoice for domain renewal, while the domain is already gone. **Solution:** - disable auto-renewal with your old provider before the transfer - contact their support if they still try to collect - check if the transfer is really completed ## costs of a domain transfer The costs differ per provider and extension: | Provider | .nl transfer | .com transfer | Extra year with transfer? | |----------|--------------|---------------|--------------------------| | TransIP | €8.99 | €13.99 | Yes (except .nl) | | Antagonist | €6.50 | €11.95 | Yes (except .nl) | | Vimexx | €9.95 | €14.95 | Yes (except .nl) | | Hostnet | €14.95 | €14.95 | Yes (except .nl) | **Note:** with .com, .net and .org transfers you usually automatically get 1 extra year of registration. So you're not paying for the transfer itself, but for a renewal. With .nl domains this is usually not the case - the transfer costs money but you don't get an extra year. ## timeline: how long does a domain transfer take? **Preparation (day 0-1):** - unlock domain: 5 minutes - request auth code: immediate to 24 hours - start transfer with new provider: 10 minutes **Transfer process:** - .nl domain: 1-24 hours (average 2-4 hours) - .com/.net/.org: 5-7 days (or 1 day if you confirm immediately) - .eu: 5-7 days - new extensions: different, average 5 days **DNS propagation after transfer:** - first changes visible: 1-4 hours - fully worldwide: up to 48 hours (usually within 12 hours) **Total:** count on 1-2 days total for a .nl domain, for other extensions on 1-2 weeks to be really sure everything works. ## cancel or stop transfer Sometimes you want to stop a transfer (for example with a mistake or domain theft): **At the old provider (within 5 days after start):** - log in with your old provider - go to pending transfers - click on "reject transfer" or "deny transfer" **At the new provider:** - contact support - the transfer can be cancelled if it hasn't been confirmed yet **With unwanted transfer (domain theft):** - immediately contact your old provider - block the transfer via your control panel - change your passwords - enable 2FA if it wasn't on yet ## domain transfer checklist Print this checklist and check off as you go: - [ ] Check if domain is at least 60 days old - [ ] Check if domain does not expire within 7 days - [ ] Note current DNS settings - [ ] Disable auto-renewal with old provider - [ ] Unlock the domain - [ ] Request auth code - [ ] Save auth code safely - [ ] Start transfer with new provider - [ ] Confirm transfer via email (for .com/.net/.org) - [ ] Wait until transfer is completed - [ ] Check DNS settings with new provider - [ ] Test website and email - [ ] Check if domain is in new provider control panel - [ ] Enable auto-renewal with new provider ## frequently asked questions about domain transfer **Is my website offline during the transfer?** No! Your website stays online during the entire transfer. The transfer only changes who manages the domain, not where it points to. Your DNS settings remain active. **Can I transfer a .nl domain faster than a .com?** Yes, .nl domains are usually transferred within 2-4 hours. .com and other generic domains can take up to 5-7 days, unless you confirm the transfer immediately via email. **What happens if I miss the confirmation email?** For .com/.net/.org domains, the transfer is automatically approved after 5 days if you don't respond. For .nl domains, no confirmation is needed - the transfer goes through automatically. **Do I need to reset my DNS settings?** DNS settings are usually transferred automatically, but not always. Always note them before the transfer so you can reset them if necessary. Check this immediately after the transfer. **Can I still change things to my domain during the transfer?** It is wise not to change anything during the transfer. Wait until the transfer is completed before adjusting DNS settings, contact details or other matters. ## special situations **Transfer domain while switching hosting provider** If you're moving both your domain and hosting: first move your website to the new hosting, test if everything works, and only then transfer the domain. This prevents downtime. **Transfer multiple domains at once** Most providers offer bulk transfers where you can transfer multiple domains at once with one auth code per domain. This can save time and effort. **Transfer domain from a private seller** Buying a domain from someone else? Have the seller provide the auth code and initiate the transfer to your account. Only pay after successful transfer. ## after the transfer: what now? Once your domain has been successfully transferred: **Enable auto-renewal** with your new provider so your domain doesn't accidentally expire. **Update your administration** - note where your domain now is and when it expires. **Check your backup** - make sure you have access to DNS backups in case something goes wrong. **Consider extra years** - if you're sure of your new provider, renew your domain for multiple years at once. This is often cheaper and you don't have to worry about it for years. **Enable WHOIS privacy** if you want - protect your personal data. ## need help with your domain transfer? Most providers have good guides and support to help you with a domain transfer. If you don't want to fiddle yourself, some providers like TransIP and Vimexx even offer free transfer assistance where they do it for you. Want to transfer your domain to a new provider? Check our [transfer wizard](/nl/verhuiswizard) for step-by-step guidance, or check our [domain page](/nl/domeinen) for the best domain providers. For a complete overview of reliable hosting providers, see our [comparison page](/nl/vergelijk).