How Do You Transfer a Domain?
From getting the transfer code to unlocking the domain, from backing up DNS records to preventing email downtime, we walk you through moving a domain name step by step.
Aurora YazılımEditorial team
6 min read
To transfer a domain, you first remove the transfer lock on the domain at your current registrar and get the EPP code (transfer code). Then you start the transfer at the new registrar, enter the code and approve the confirmation email. Backing up all your DNS records before you begin keeps your site and email running without interruption.
What Is a Domain Transfer?
A domain transfer means changing the company where your domain name is registered. The domain is still yours and the address stays the same; what changes is only the registrar you pay renewal fees to and whose management panel you use.
It is important to separate from the start that a transfer is different from a hosting migration. A domain is an address record; your site and email live on a server. You can move the domain and leave the server where it is, or the other way around. If you will do both at once, going in sequence is the safest way; we covered the server side separately in our hosting migration guide.
People usually transfer for better renewal terms, better support, to bring all their services into one panel, or because of a change of agency. Whatever the reason, the process follows the same logic.
Pre-Transfer Checklist
Most transfers run into trouble because of a lack of preparation. Before you start, check these items one by one:
- Who the domain is registered to: Are you the registrant, or is it your old agency or an employee? Only the registrant can approve the transfer.
- Admin email: You must have access to the registered contact email; the confirmation and the code are sent to this address.
- Registration and last transfer date: For generic extensions, a transfer is usually not allowed within 60 days of a new registration or the last transfer.
- Expiry date: Transfers can get difficult for domains that are about to expire or have expired; start a few weeks in advance.
- DNS records: Take a full dump of all A, CNAME, MX and TXT records.
- Unpaid balance: If there is an unpaid invoice at the current registrar, the transfer can be blocked.
How Do You Back Up DNS Records?
If your domain currently uses the registrar's nameservers, your DNS records are also kept at that company. When the transfer completes, these records may not move to the new registrar automatically. The site won't open and, worse, email won't arrive.
That is why you should take a screenshot or an export of all records from the panel. Verifying the records from the command line as well shows that you haven't forgotten any. We explained what DNS record types are for in our what is DNS article.
dig NS alanadiniz.com +short
dig A alanadiniz.com +short
dig MX alanadiniz.com +short
dig TXT alanadiniz.com +shortnslookup -type=NS alanadiniz.com
nslookup -type=MX alanadiniz.com
nslookup -type=TXT alanadiniz.com
Resolve-DnsName alanadiniz.com -Type ASpecial attention to email records
MX records determine which server email goes to. TXT records such as SPF, DKIM and DMARC keep the email you send from landing in spam folders. If one of these records is missing, you will see email downtime or delivery problems; this is the first place to check after a transfer.
How to Unlock a Domain for Transfer
Domain names are protected by default with a transfer lock to prevent unauthorized moves. In your current registrar's panel, this setting usually appears as Domain Lock, Transfer Lock or Registrar Lock.
If you start a transfer without turning the lock off, the request is rejected. At some registrars, removing the lock may require extra verification or a support request. Unlock close to the transfer day; once the transfer is complete, re-enable the lock at the new registrar.
How to Get the EPP Code
The EPP code is also known as the domain transfer code or Auth Code. It is a string specific to the domain that works like a password and ensures only the owner can start a transfer.
At most registrars you can view the code yourself in the domain management panel or ask for it to be sent to the registered email address. If the panel has no such option, request it from the support team. Don't share the EPP code with anyone; enter it only in the form of the new registrar where you will start the transfer.
.tr domain names
Registrations for .com.tr, .net.tr and other .tr domain names are handled through the TRABIS system (the Turkish .tr domain registry). The transfer steps and required documents for these extensions can differ from generic extensions. Check the current process with your new registrar or in TRABIS's official announcements.
Domain Transfer Step by Step
If preparation is complete, the transfer itself takes only a few minutes. The typical order for generic extensions is as follows:
- Back up your current DNS records.
- At the old registrar, turn off the transfer lock and get the EPP code.
- At the new registrar, enter your domain name and EPP code in the transfer form.
- Pay the transfer fee; for generic extensions, this payment mostly extends the domain's term by one year.
- Approve the confirmation message sent to your registered email.
- Check for an approval or cancellation email from the old registrar; at some registrars, approving speeds up the process.
- Once the transfer is complete, check the DNS records and nameservers and re-enable the lock.
How Long Does a Transfer Take?
For generic extensions, a transfer can complete anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on approvals. If the old registrar neither approves nor cancels, the process completes on its own after a waiting period set by the rules.
During this time your site and email keep working as long as your DNS records stay correct. Downtime usually comes not from the transfer itself but from DNS records left empty or entered incorrectly after the transfer. If you changed nameservers, the new settings also take a little time to propagate.
If you will also change nameservers, it is a good idea to lower the TTL of the current records a day before the operation. TTL determines how long a record is cached on servers across the internet; a low TTL lets new settings spread faster. After the migration is complete and everything is verified, you can raise the TTL again.
Common Errors and Fixes
Nothing changes on the search engine side after a transfer; rankings are not affected because the address stays the same. However, if the site stays unreachable for several days, this can affect visibility. That is why it is a good habit to watch the site's availability and crawl errors in SEO and analytics tools for a few days after the transfer.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer rejected | The lock is not off or the EPP code is wrong | Turn off the lock and get the code again |
| Confirmation email doesn't arrive | The registered email is old or unreachable | First update the contact email at the old registrar |
| Transfer not allowed | Registration or transfer within the last 60 days | Wait for the period to end |
| Site doesn't open | DNS records were not moved | Enter the backed-up A and CNAME records |
| Email doesn't arrive | MX record is missing or wrong | Restore the MX and SPF records from your backup |
Domain and Website Management
A domain is your business's digital title deed. We covered what to look for when choosing a new domain in our how to buy a domain name article. Your existing domain, meanwhile, must be registered in the company's name with an email the company can access.
In web design projects run with Aurora, the domain, server and site settings are planned together; in corporate website or e-commerce platform projects, DNS and email records are part of the go-live process. We also monitor server and cache settings regularly as part of speed and performance optimization.
Frequently Asked Questions
01Does the site go down during a domain transfer?
Not if you prepared properly. A transfer changes the registrar, but as long as the DNS records are preserved, the site and email keep running on the same server. Downtime mostly comes from DNS records not being carried over to the new registrar.
02Does a transfer cost money?
For generic extensions a transfer is mostly paid, but the payment usually adds one year to the domain's term. The fee varies by extension and registrar; conditions can be different for .tr extensions.
03What should I do if the old registrar won't give me the EPP code?
As the registrant, you have the right to request the transfer code. First open a support request in writing; if you get no response, you can use the complaint procedures of the relevant domain authority. That is why it is critical for ownership to be in your name.
A domain transfer is a simple operation that completes without downtime when DNS records are backed up and the steps are followed in order. If you want to manage your domain, server and website in one place and set up correctly, explore Aurora's web design services or reach us through the contact page.
