How to Transfer Your Domain Name

I don’t like to bash other companies, but I’ve had a lot of requests to transfer domains after GoDaddy’s Super Bowl commercials. Here’s how you can transfer your domain names to Cullen Web Services.

Before you get started, a word of caution: If you change your contact information (or most any other information) on your domain name at your current registrar (website where you have your domain registered), you may not be able to transfer your domain name for 30 to 90 days. This is to prevent fraud.

Since domain registrars use the email address on file with the domain to get your approval for the transfer, someone could break into your domain account and change your email address on your contact information, and then transfer your domain name away from you and into their own account.

So, if you want to transfer to another registrar, don’t change anything on the domain name account until AFTER the transfer has completed. Then you can change your information in your account at the new registrar.

However, if you NEED to change the email address so that you can approve the transfer because the email address on file no longer exists, you’ll need to do that first, then wait the 90 days.  Sucks, but that’s the way it works.  If it were me, I would try to somehow make that old email address work again if any way possible.  If it’s not possible, then you are stuck with the 90 days.

Before you transfer your domain make sure that it’s not locked at your current registrar. GoDaddy and many other registrars have a ‘locked’ feature which prevents transfers from happening. This is also a deterrent to fraud and keeps someone from transferring your domain name without your approval. If your domain is locked, just go into your account and unlock the domain name.

The next step is to get the authorization code for your domain name from your current registrar. This is usually just a link that you click on in your domain account. It will send an authorization code to the email address on file for the domain name at the old registrar. You will need this authorization code at the new registrar to transfer the domain over.

Once you have the authorization code, go to the new domain registrar. If you want to use Cullen Web Services as your new registrar (I’d love to have you join us!) then go here to transfer your domains. Move your mouse over the ‘Domains’ tab on the menu bar and choose ‘transfer your domain’. This will take you to a screen where you can enter your domain name. You may also be asked for the authorization code at some point during the transfer.

Once the domain transfer has been initiated, the administrative contact on file at the old registrar should get an email asking for approval for the transfer. The email should give instructions as to how to proceed with the transfer. Usually there is a link that must be clicked to approve the transfer. The contacts may also get an email from the old registrar as well. This is usually an attempt to talk you into staying with them. We all hate to lose our customers 🙂 Read all the emails carefully and make sure you follow the instructions to approve the transfer if you want to make the move.

After you have approved the transfer, it will take another five days for the transfer to complete. This is also a way to deter fraud. It keeps thieves from stealing domains and using them right away. It also gives you time to stop the transfer if you want.

After the five day waiting period, the domain should be transferred completely and show up in your account at your new registrar. You should then be able to change your contact information, nameservers, or any other details on your domain name.

If you have any other questions or problems transferring domains, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Edited and updated: 5/31/14