Transferring a domain moves the registration itself, meaning who manages and renews it, from one registrar to another. This is different from pointing a domain at a new host, which only changes where the domain's traffic goes. You can transfer a domain without changing your website at all.
Before You Start
- Age: Most extensions require a domain to be at least 60 days past its initial registration or last transfer before it can move again.
- Expiry: A domain that's expired or in a redemption period usually cannot be transferred until it's renewed first.
- Privacy protection: If WHOIS privacy is enabled, you may need to temporarily disable it so the transfer request can be verified.
The Transfer Process
- At your current registrar, make sure the domain is unlocked. Registrars lock domains by default to prevent unauthorized transfers.
- Request the domain's EPP code (also called an authorization code or transfer key) from your current registrar. This is usually available in the domain's management panel or sent by email.
- Start the transfer at the new registrar by entering the domain name and the EPP code.
- Confirm the transfer request. This is often done by clicking a link in a confirmation email sent to the domain's registered contact address.
- Wait for the transfer to complete. Some extensions finish within a day; others enforce a mandatory waiting period.
Your website and email will keep working normally during a transfer as long as you don't change the domain's nameservers at the same time. Transferring the registration and changing where the domain points are two separate actions.
Country-Code Extensions
Extensions like .co.ke sometimes follow a different transfer process than global extensions such as .com, occasionally requiring extra documentation or a manual approval step at the registry level. If you're transferring a .co.ke domain, confirm the specific requirements before starting so the process doesn't stall partway through.
If you'd like help transferring a domain to be managed under your ZIPROF account, contact our support team and we'll walk you through what's needed for your specific extension.