How To Change Your Domain Name: A Step
Whether youve been the proud registrant of your domain for one day, a few months or even several years, a change of heart may leave you wondering, How do I change the domain name of an existing website to a new one?.
Dont panic. Were here to help.
Maybe your dream domain name has recently become available, or youve decided to rebrand your website and need to buy a domain name thats more in line with your new look. Whatever the reason, there are steps to follow to ensure that the change wont affect your website, or your website visitors.
If youre a complete newbie to the world of domains or would like to brush up on your knowledge before we begin, start by reading our domain definition.
Ready? Lets begin.
Domain Names Registrar Transfer Versus Nameserver Change
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ICANN domain transfer policies have changed as of 1 December 2016. Updates to whois information are considered a change of ownership and may warrant a 60-day transfer lock.
There is often confusion with the term transfer when it applies to domain names. Most people are actually looking to perform a nameserver change to point the domain correctly, usually after changing hosts, and this is an entirely different process from performing a registrar transfer.
You Can Transfer Your Domain Name To Another Holder Or Remove It From The Register
If you do not need your fi-domain name anymore, you can transfer it to another holder. You can also remove your domain name from the register before it expires. Your registrar performs the transfer or removal on your behalf. To transfer your domain name to another holder, your need a holder transfer key that is valid for 30 days.
If you want to transfer your domain name to another holder and change registrars at the same time, contact your registrar for assistance. If you want to authorise the new holder’s registrar to perform the transfers, you have to provide both the holder transfer key and the registrar transfer key to this registrar.
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Submit Your Transfer Through Your Namecheap Account:
- Once logged in, select Domains from the top menu and select Transfer
- Enter your domain name, then click ‘Transfer’
- On the next page, verify whether the domain is fully ready for transfer and enter the Auth code in the respective field
- If you have a coupon code, enter it in the ‘Promo Code’ field, then click ‘Apply’
Shortly after order submission, the transfer gets initiated at the Registry, and the domain acquires ‘pendingTransfer’ status. Transfers that have reached this stage are automatically confirmed within 5 days. Finally, it may take additional 24-48 hours for the Registry to complete the transfer.
You can locate the domains that you’re transferring to us in your account. Go to Domain List, then select Filters -> Pending Transfer.
Transferring Domain Name Ownership: Everything You Need To Know
There are a number of reasons to transfer a domain name to another registrar. Perhaps your current registrar doesnt offer all of the features you need, or theyre offered at a price that simply doesnt fit your budget.
Regardless of the reason you find yourself here, all the information you need to complete a domain name transfer can be found below. The process is simple and relatively quick. Read up on all the information provided below and you will be back to business as usual in no time.
Online success starts with a great domain. Find yours today at Domain.com.
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Move A Vlaanderen Or Brussels Domain Name
Ask you current registrar for the transfer code that is linked to your domain name and give that code to your new registrar. Only the new registrar can file an application to move a domain name.
Your new registrar will file the transfer application with DNS Belgium. Now there are three possibilities:
- For what reasons can a registrar reject an application for transfer?
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A registrar can reject an application for transfer in case of:
- fraud by the registrant
- initiation of a UDRP procedure
- a judgement by the court that the domain name may not be transferred
- a dispute about the identity of the person who allows the transfer
- a domain name being blocked because there is an outstanding invoice
- a transfer blocking
How To Buy Your New Domain
Now that you know how to decide on a new domain name, youre less likely to change a purchased domain name later on down the line. So, lets move on to registering your domain!
Get started and search for your domain name right here at Namecheap. And, if youre looking to purchase website hosting and domain together, we offer an all-in-one package deal where you can save money.
Discover our dedicated page on the price of domain names, where you can take a look at our best prices for up to ten years.
Once you have your sparkly new domain name, its time to make sure that youre ready to prepare all the content youd like to take from your old website to your new one.
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Decide What Needs To Change:
The objective is:
- for the domain name to be in your own control in your own account with a registrar where you have login details to the control panel
- for you to be listed as the “registrant” i.e. the owner of the domain name
To achieve this, you may need to get the registrar and/or the registrant changed.
What Does It Mean To Transfer A Domain Name
Transferring a domain name means changing the registrar with which your domain name is registered. If you have already tracked down and purchased that perfect domain name for your business or project, but find yourself displeased with the level of service provided by your current registrar, dont worry. Transferring your domain to a registrar that better suits your needs is a relatively simple process.
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Prepare Your Domain For Transfer:
- Unlock your domain remove the Registrar lock you may have set for added security
- Obtain the Auth/EPP code from the current Registrar:
Auth/EPP codes are required for all .com, .net, .org, .us, .biz, .info, .me, .co, .io, .ca, .tv, .in, .mobi, .cc, .pe, .com.pe, .net.pe, .org.pe, .tech, .top, .party, .loan, .faith and other new gTLD domains. If you cannot request an EPP code in account with your Registrar, contact them and ask to provide it to you.
Opt Out Of 60 Day Lock
It is standard practice for a domain to be locked for 60 days after it is registered or transferred. During this period, you will be barred from updating the name or company name associated with the domain, changing the registrant email address, or enabling/disabling privacy settings. However, there is an option to opt out of this. By default, this option will not be checked, so if you are planning to transfer the domain, you will need to log in and manually opt out of this 60-day lock.
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Why Can’t I Transfer A Domain Name I Just Registered To Another Registrar
There are certain situations that can prevent a domain name from being transferred to a different registrar, such as a new registration. Your registrar may deny a transfer request if the domain name is within 60 days of initial registration. Another situation is if the domain name is subject to a 60-day Change of Registrant lock. You cannot transfer a domain name to a different registrar within 60 days of making changes to the registrant name, organization or email address . At their discretion, some registrars may provide an option for you to opt-out of this 60-day lock period. However, this rule is in place for your protection against unauthorized transfers and the registrar does not have to offer this option. If your ultimate goal is to transfer the domain name, you may want to consider completing the transfer process before changing your contact information.
Registrars also have the option of denying a transfer request within 60 days from when you last transferred the domain name to a different registrar. You may have the option to change web-hosting providers instead of registrars to avoid the inter-registrar transfer process altogether. You may also update your domain name’s nameservers or change the hosting IP address assigned to your domain name. Check with your registrar and/or hosting provider to see what options you have.
The Registrar Is Asking Me For A Code Where Do I Get This / I Don’t Know What You Mean By Authorization/epp/transfer Code And I Can’t Find It How Do I Get This Code
An Auth-Code is a code created by a registrar to help identify the domain name holder and prevent unauthorized transfers . An Auth-Code is required for a domain holder to transfer a domain name from one registrar to another.
Your registrar may allow you, via an online interface tool, to generate and manage your own AuthInfo code. If not, you will need to contact your registrar directly to obtain it. Your registrar must provide you with the AuthInfo code within five calendar days of your request.
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How To Prepare With Your Current Registrar
There are a number of steps you will need to take with your current registrar in order to complete your transfer. With your current registrar, you will need to:
- Unlock your domain
- Update your contact information so Domain.com can send confirmation emails
- Obtain your transfer authorization code
- Make sure your domain has been registered for at least 60 days, or opt out
- Ensure that your domain is not currently involved in any legal dispute, which could result in a registry lock
- Contact your current provider in person in order to have your authorization code released to you. Some registrars do this for security purposes.
How To Change Domain Name Registrar How To Transfer A Domain Name
How to Change Domain NameRegistrarHow to Transfer a Domain Name
Are you getting the service that you require from your domain registrar? Actually, thinking about it for a minute, it might be a better question to ask, do you even know what services are available? Are you aware that you can shop around and get better prices, more features and far better customer service?
Guess what? All domain registrars are not the same.
Okay, lets back up a minute. Way back when the internet was young all domain names were handled by Network Solutions, Inc. In those dark, evil days you had no choice. It didnt matter what you thought of the process, it was unimportant that you were not getting service and the price, well, was a standard high fee.
A few years ago the government decided that Network Solutions would no longer be a monopoly. The government wanted to do this to deregulate the industry and encourage competition, and also perhaps to spur a little bit of growth into this thing called the internet.
Okay, so now you do have a choice. In fact, there are well over a hundred different domain registrars at last count. They seem to be springing up all over the place, and the level of support and service, as well as the price, seems to vary greatly.
You may not know it, but you can change domain registrars at any time. Its actually not very complicated at all.
Here are some of the questions that you may have regarding domain transfers.
How much does it cost?
What are the disadvantages?
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Exceptions To The Rule
Domain names that have been registered for less than 60 days generally cannot be transferred to a new registrar. This 60-day registrar lock is meant to prevent fraud and theft of domains. During that period, you can only push a domain to another account within the same registrar.
A registrar lock may also apply in the following situations:
- Domain names whois information is updated
- Domain name is inactive
- Domain name is in the process of being deleted or redeemed
In addition, the registrar may deny a transfer request only in the following specific instances:
- Evidence of fraud.
- Court order by a court of competent jurisdiction.
- Reasonable dispute over the identity of the Registered Name Holder or Administrative Contact.
- No payment for previous registration period if the domain name is past its expiration date or for previous or current registration periods if the domain name has not yet expired. In all such cases, however, the domain name must be put into Registrar Hold status by the Registrar of Record prior to the denial of transfer.
- Express written objection to the transfer from the Transfer Contact. .
- A domain name was already in lock status provided that the Registrar provides a readily accessible and reasonable means for the Registered Name Holder to remove the lock status.
- A domain name is in the first 60 days of an initial registration period.
- A domain name is within 60 days after being transferred .
Before The Domain Name Transfer
The registrar connects your domain name with the IP address of the server hosting your website. Although the transfer should not affect your website, it is always possible for a glitch to occur that results in downtime. Therefore, if you are the webmaster, it would be worthwhile to apprise your client of the transfer in case the website becomes unavailable during the transition. It should not be necessary, however, to notify users of the website.
Another important step before you initiate the registrar transfer is to back up all of your web files. This includes layouts, content and even past versions of your site, as these items are solely your responsibility. As with communication to the client, backing up your data is a preventative measure in the event of a problem with the transfer.
Finally, ensure your registration information email address, phone number, etc. with your current registrar is up to date, as the new registrar will pull that data automatically.
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