Domain Transfer Process Explained

Quick Summary

What it is: Domain transfer is the process of moving a domain from one registrar to another while maintaining ownership.
How long it takes: Domain transfers typically take 5-7 days, but can take up to 10 days depending on the registrars involved.
What to expect: The process involves unlocking the domain, obtaining an authorization code, initiating transfer, and waiting for approval.
Common issues: Domain locked, incorrect authorization code, domain too new (less than 60 days old), or pending renewal can delay transfers.
Post-transfer: After transfer, verify DNS settings, check Domain Rating is maintained, and ensure all services continue working.

What is Domain Transfer?

Domain transfer is the process of moving a domain from one registrar (domain provider) to another while maintaining your ownership and the domain's registration period.

Domain transfers allow you to move your domain to a different registrar for various reasons - better pricing, improved services, consolidation of domains, or better customer support. The transfer process maintains your domain's registration period, and you can often add an additional year during transfer.

Domain Transfer Process

The domain transfer process follows these steps:

Prepare domain: Unlock the domain and disable privacy protection at current registrar
Get authorization code: Obtain the EPP code (authorization code) from your current registrar
Initiate transfer: Start the transfer process at your new registrar using the authorization code
Approve transfer: Approve the transfer via email from your current registrar
Wait for completion: Transfer typically completes within 5-7 days
Verify completion: Confirm the domain is now with your new registrar

How Long Domain Transfers Take

Domain transfer timelines vary:

Stage	Duration	Description
Preparation	Immediate	Unlock domain and get authorization code
Initiation	1-2 days	New registrar processes transfer request
Approval	1-5 days	Current registrar approval (auto-approves after 5 days if no action)
Completion	1-2 days	Domain moves to new registrar
Total	5-10 days	Average transfer time

What to Expect During Transfer

During the transfer process:

Domain remains active: Your website and email continue working normally
No downtime: Transfer doesn't cause website downtime if DNS is managed separately
Email notifications: You'll receive emails from both registrars about the transfer
Approval required: You may need to approve the transfer via email
Registration extension: Transfer typically adds one year to your domain registration

Common Transfer Issues and Solutions

Be aware of these common issues:

Domain is Locked

Problem: Domain transfer fails because domain is locked at current registrar.

Solution: Unlock the domain in your current registrar's control panel before initiating transfer.

Incorrect Authorization Code

Problem: Transfer fails due to incorrect EPP/authorization code.

Solution: Double-check the authorization code from your current registrar and ensure no extra spaces or characters.

Domain Too New

Problem: Domains less than 60 days old cannot be transferred.

Solution: Wait until the domain is at least 60 days old before attempting transfer.

Pending Renewal

Problem: Domain has pending renewal that blocks transfer.

Solution: Complete or cancel the pending renewal before initiating transfer.

Privacy Protection Enabled

Problem: Privacy protection can interfere with transfer approval emails.

Solution: Temporarily disable privacy protection during transfer, then re-enable after completion.

Post-Transfer Checklist

After your domain transfer completes, verify:

Domain ownership: Confirm you're listed as the owner in new registrar
DNS settings: Verify DNS records are correct and website is accessible

Email functionality:

Domain Rating : Verify your domain's SEO metrics are maintained (they should be)
SSL certificates: Ensure SSL certificates are still valid and working
Backlinks: Confirm backlinks are still pointing to your domain correctly
Search rankings: Monitor search rankings to ensure no negative impact

Best Practices for Domain Transfers

Follow these best practices for smooth transfers:

Plan ahead: Start transfer process well before domain expiration
Vet the domain first: If purchasing a domain, complete vetting before transfer
Backup DNS: Document all DNS settings before transfer
Use reputable registrars: Transfer to established, trustworthy registrars
Monitor closely: Check email regularly for transfer approval requests
Verify after completion: Thoroughly test all services after transfer

Domain Transfer and SEO Impact

Domain transfers typically don't negatively impact SEO if done correctly:

No impact on Domain Rating : Your domain's authority and backlinks remain intact
DNS continuity: As long as DNS settings remain the same, there's no downtime
Search rankings: Rankings should remain stable if transfer is handled properly
Backlinks preserved: All backlinks continue pointing to your domain

However, ensure you:

Maintain the same DNS settings during and after transfer
Don't change domain ownership details unnecessarily
Keep website content and structure unchanged during transfer
Monitor search rankings for a few weeks after transfer

Tip: When purchasing a domain, ensure the seller initiates the transfer promptly and provides all necessary authorization codes. Before accepting a transfer, always thoroughly vet the domain to verify its Domain Rating and backlink profile. After transfer, verify all DNS settings and monitor your domain's performance to ensure everything is working correctly. At Brutal Domains, we handle all domain transfers smoothly and provide full transfer assistance, ensuring you receive domains with verified metrics and clean histories.