Transfers - INCOMING Domain Transfers - How to Initiate a Transfer

• Log into your account.
• Select the menu option "Domain > Transfer a Domain"
• Enter the domain name(s) and the associated EPP key. (domain name and its EPP key separated by a comma, and each domain on a new line)
• Select "Modify Domain Transfer Settings" to set the desired settings:
  • ID Protect: Less necessary now with the new GDPR privacy policy in place. See article GDPR and WHOIS ID Protect
  • Transfer Verification: auto verification is fine, although no verification is needed anymore with the GDPR (see note below)
  • Registrar-Lock: If enabled, this prevents the domain from being transferred away once it's in your account.
  • Auto-Renew: If enabled, our system will automatically attempt to renew the domain 30 days prior to expiration.

  • Access Password: Setting this password will allow you to log into a control panel specifically for that single domain (as opposed to your main account where multiple domains can be managed). This control panel can be accessed at https://access.name-services.com. This is an optional control panel.

• Follow any additional prompts that are displayed.
• Click Submit Order.

No further action is required by you to transfer the domain away.  We will submit the transfer request to the registry. There is a five day waiting period that begins once the Registrar of Record has been notified of the transfer request by the registry.  This typically occurs within 12-24 hours after the transfer has been submitted.

Note: With the new GDPR policy (See article: "New GDPR Privacy Policy (May 25th, 2018)"), public WHOIS domain contact information will not be available anymore. Therefore, a transfer verification email (form of authorization, or FOA) email is not required during the transfer process anymore. We will now submit the transfer request immediately after receiving the EPP key. More information on the transfer policy change with the GDPR can be found here: https://www.enom.com/blog/changes-to-the-domain-transfer-process/

Transfer Time Frames

*For information on transfer time-frames, please see the article, "Transfers - Time Frame for Completion".

Transfer Restrictions

*For information on transfer restrictions, please see the article, "Reasons a transfer could be rejected"

DNS Notes when transferring a domain:

During the transfer, the DNS (nameservers) will be kept and automatically transferred with the domain. However, if the DNS is hosted by the old registrar, they will most likely delete the DNS after the transfer. It is a good idea to have a copy of the DNS servers (and host records) on hand in case something unexpected happens, and they need to be input again. 

If you will be switching DNS servers to ours, you will need to manually change the DNS and input the host records to point to the website after the transfer has completed. There might be some downtime for your website when switching the DNS and host records during a transfer. The amount of downtime may have to do with when the old registrar removes the DNS after the transfer is initiated (there may be website downtime if the old registrar removes the DNS before the 5 day transfer period is over). However, when you do make the change over to our DNS and host records, the changes should go through quickly.

Transfer Costs:

There is no actual fee, per se, to transfer a domain to us.  However, you do pay for the transfer, as there is an additional renewal year added to the vast majority of transfers.*

All transfers are processed through the registry.  The registry adds one year to the expiration date of the domain and charges the gaining registrar for an additional renewal year, thus this cost is passed on to the customer.  Upon transfer completion, your domain's expiration date will have increased by one year.*

Example:  If your domain currently expires on October 2, 2009, you will be charged for one year's renewal and the domain's expiration date will be updated to October 2, 2010 upon completion of the transfer.  Regardless of the current expiration year, another year will almost always be added.*

We do not charge for transfers unless they are successfully completed.  We may, however, place a hold on funds while the transfer is in progress.  Please see the article, "INCOMING Domain Transfers: No Fees for Failed Transfers".

To view your transfer rates, please see the article, "Pricing for Domain Names and Services".

* Exceptions:

• Transfer policies for TLDs other than .com/.net/.org may vary.  Please search our knowledgebase for transfer information on alternate TLDs, or submit us a support ticket with your inquiries.
• If you recently renewed the domain with your current registrar, you may want to wait until 46 days after the expiration date to transfer your domain to avoid losing one year of registration. Please see this article for further details: "Transfers - extra year missing after transfer completed".
• If your domain has 9 years or more remaining on the registration prior to the transfer, it will only be extended to the maximum of 10 years.

Additional Information

• If you recently renewed the domain with your current registrar, you may want to wait until 46 days after the expiration date to transfer your domain to avoid losing one year of registration. Please see this article for further details: "Transfers - extra year missing after transfer completed".
• If a domain expires before the transfer has completed, it will depend on the policies of the old registrar, whether the transfer will be completed. The transfer should still go through if there is a grace period after expiration at the old registrar, where the domain stays in your account for a period of time after it expires. If the domain is deleted from the account at the old registrar during the transfer process, the transfer can not proceed.

• There is a transfer lock on a domain for 60 days after it has been registered or transferred. This is a policy for all domains and registrars as outlined by ICANN:

  • Policy on Transfer of Registrations between Registrars
  • FAQ for Domain-Name Holders
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