Domain Transfer Checklist

Moving a domain between registrars is routine, but a handful of preconditions trip people up every time. Whether you're transferring a domain to Hoststack or away from us, work through this checklist first to avoid delays.

Before you start a transfer

• The domain must be at least 60 days old since registration or its last transfer (ICANN's 60-day lock rule)
• It must not be within 5 days of expiry — renew it at the current registrar first if it's close
• You need access to the registrant email address on file — most transfer approvals go there
• WHOIS privacy, if enabled, may need to be temporarily disabled by some registrars to reveal the registrant email

Step 1: unlock the domain and get the EPP code

At your current registrar, find the domain management page and switch off "Registrar Lock" or "Transfer Lock." Then request the EPP code (also called an Auth Code or Transfer Key) — a unique password proving you own the domain. It's usually emailed to the registrant address or shown directly on the domain's settings page, and is typically valid for a limited number of days.

Step 2: initiate the transfer at the new registrar

• From the client area, go to Domains → Transfer Domain and enter the domain name plus the EPP code
• Complete checkout — most transfers include a 1-year renewal bundled into the price
• Approve the confirmation email sent to the registrant address — transfers that go unapproved will stall or auto-cancel
• Most transfers complete in 5–7 days; some finish faster if the losing registrar approves early

Avoid downtime during the transfer

A domain transfer changes who manages the registration — it does not change your DNS or nameservers by default, so your website and email keep working throughout. Just don't change nameservers and initiate a registrar transfer at the same time; do one, confirm it's stable, then the other.