What happens when you transfer a domain?

There are various reasons why you might want to transfer a domain name from one registrar to another. You might want to take advantage of better prices and/or support at a different registrar, or perhaps you’re unhappy with the level of service from your current registrar. Another reason may be that you have more than one domain name, but currently use more than one registrar and want to switch to using a single supplier for all your domain name registration needs.

Whatever the reason, moving a domain from one registrar to another is a fairly simple process regulated by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). It shouldn’t create too much of a headache providing you complete all the required steps. If you’re requesting to transfer a domain, you must be the registrant of record, or the administrative contact for the domain name. If you’re not sure whether you are, check your registration agreement details with your current registrar. And if you don’t know who your current registrar is, run a search using your domain name at http://lookup.icann.org

What is required to transfer a domain?

You should start the transfer of your domain name by making sure there aren’t any reasons why a change of registrar would be denied. These could include:

• Any evidence of fraud, unresolved disputes relating to your current domain registration or other legal impediments
• The person requesting the transfer is not authorised to do so
• Any outstanding payments related to a previous registration
• The domain is within 60 days of initial registration with a registrar or a previous domain name transfer.

Once you have made sure there’s no reason why a transfer should be denied, contact the registrar you’ve chosen to transfer the domain name to. This registrar will confirm your intent to move your domain using an Authorisation for Register Transfer form, which you’ll need to complete and return before any further action can be taken. Your current registrar will have to complete a Confirmation of Registrar Transfer Request form. All the paperwork required for the process can be accessed and completed electronically, and it’s fairly standard admin which shouldn’t take much time or cause any complications.

Putting in a transfer request

An authorisation code is created by a registrar to help identify the domain name holder and prevent any unauthorised transfers. You will need this code to facilitate the domain name transfer, and it must be provided by your current registrar within five days of any reasonable request. Should your registrar deny your request for a transfer, they are required to specify their reasons. If you don’t agree with those reasons, you can contact ICANN to lodge a formal complaint. Be prepared for your current registrar to charge you for facilitating your request to move to a new registrar, since they’re allowed to set their own fee for this.

Completing the steps required to facilitate your domain name transfer shouldn’t take longer than an hour or two, and it’s best to complete all the required steps in one sitting. Providing everything runs smoothly and there’s no reason why your request can’t be facilitated, the transfer should take place between five to seven working days later. UK2 is more than happy to make sure any domain name requests are handled quickly and efficiently, and we will stay in regular contact with you throughout the process. Get in touch with us today for assistance.