How to Transfer a Domain to a New Provider
Transferring a domain takes 5–7 days. The process: unlock the domain, get an EPP code from your current provider, initiate the transfer with the new provider, and confirm via email. Your site stays live throughout.
Transferring a domain takes 5–7 days. The process: unlock the domain, get an EPP code from your current provider, initiate the transfer with the new provider, and confirm via email. Your site stays live throughout.
What a domain transfer means
A domain transfer moves the management of your domain name from one registrar to another. The domain itself does not change — it still resolves to the same website and email servers. What changes is which company you pay for renewals and which control panel you use to manage DNS settings, WHOIS contact information, and other domain-level configurations.
Many people confuse domain transfers with changing hosts. They are different. You can transfer your domain to a new registrar while keeping the same hosting provider, or change hosting while keeping the same registrar. The two are independent unless you choose to bundle them. Transferring to BahrainServer means you manage your domain and hosting in one place with one support team.
Prerequisites — 60-day rule, unlock, EPP code
| Prerequisite | What it means | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| 60-day lock | Domain must be registered or last transferred more than 60 days ago | Check registration date in your current control panel |
| Domain unlocked | Transfer lock must be disabled at the current registrar | Look for a “Transfer Lock” toggle in domain settings |
| EPP auth code | Unique password that authorises the transfer | Generate it from your current registrar’s control panel |
| Valid contact email | Registrant email must be current to receive confirmation | Check WHOIS for the admin email address |
| Not expiring soon | Domain must not be within 30 days of expiration | Check the expiration date before starting |
First, the domain must have been registered or last transferred more than 60 days ago. ICANN imposes this 60-day lock to prevent domain theft through rapid transfers. If your domain is newer than 60 days, you must wait.
Second, the domain must be unlocked at the current registrar. Most registrars apply a transfer lock by default to prevent unauthorised transfers. You disable this lock through your control panel — it is usually a single toggle in the domain settings section.
Third, you need an EPP code (also called an auth code or transfer code). This is a unique password that authorises the transfer. You generate it through your current registrar’s control panel. It is valid for a limited time (usually 30 days), so request it when you are ready to start the transfer.
Step-by-step transfer process
- Log into your current domain registrar and navigate to the domain management section. Unlock the domain if it is locked. Request your EPP code (it may be displayed immediately or sent by email).
- Log into the new provider (BahrainServer, for this example) and go to the domain transfer section. Enter the domain name and the EPP code. Pay the transfer fee, which typically includes a one-year renewal.
- The new provider sends a transfer request to the current registrar. You will receive an email from the current registrar asking you to confirm or reject the transfer. Click the confirmation link as soon as possible — if you do nothing, the transfer auto-accepts after 5 days.
- Once confirmed, the current registrar releases the domain. ICANN rules require this within 5 days. Some registrars release it almost instantly after approval; others wait the full period.
- The new provider adds the domain to your account. You can now manage DNS, renewals, and settings from the new control panel.
Common gotchas
Domain transfers fail most often for preventable reasons. The domain is still within the 60-day new registration window. The WHOIS contact email is outdated and the transfer confirmation email goes to an address nobody checks. The domain is locked at the current registrar even though the transfer has been initiated. Privacy protection is enabled and blocking the confirmation emails. The domain expired during the transfer process because the owner did not check the expiration date before starting.
Each of these has a simple fix: check the registration date, update your WHOIS email, verify the domain is unlocked, disable WHOIS privacy temporarily, and renew the domain before starting the transfer if it is within 60 days of expiration.
DNS during transfer
Your website and email continue working throughout the transfer because the DNS settings remain unchanged. The transfer only changes who you pay for the domain, not how the domain resolves. Your nameservers, DNS records, and all services pointing to your hosting provider remain active.
You can change DNS settings once the transfer completes and you have access to the new provider’s DNS management. If you are transferring both the domain and hosting, wait until the hosting migration is complete before updating nameservers to avoid downtime. BahrainServer supports both domain and hosting transfers, and our team can coordinate the timing so nothing breaks.
Frequently asked questions
Most domain transfers take 5–7 days to complete. The process involves the old provider releasing the domain, which ICANN rules require within 5 days of the transfer request. Some providers release it faster; others wait the full period.
Yes, but renew it first. Most registrars do not allow transfers on domains that are within 30 days of expiration or in the redemption period. Renewing ensures the transfer goes smoothly and you do not lose the domain during the process.
No. The transfer only changes the registrar for your domain. Your DNS settings, website files, and email continue working exactly as before as long as your hosting remains active. The website does not go offline during a domain transfer.
An EPP code (also called an auth code or transfer key) is a unique password that authorises the transfer of your domain to another registrar. You request it from your current provider’s control panel or support team. It is typically a long string of letters and numbers.
The new provider sends a transfer request to the current provider. You will receive an email from the current provider asking you to confirm or reject the transfer. You must approve it (or it auto-accepts after 5 days). Once the current provider releases the domain, the new provider adds it to your account and you manage it from there.