How to Transfer a Domain Name: A Step-by-Step Guide
You’ve built your website, but your domain name is registered somewhere else.
Maybe your website is hosted on one platform, your domain is managed by another company, and your business email is somewhere completely different. Over time, keeping track of all those accounts can become frustrating.
That’s where transferring your domain name can help.
A domain transfer allows you to move your domain registration from one registrar to another so you can manage everything in one place.
The good news? A domain transfer is usually much easier than people expect.
In most cases, you only need:
An eligible domain name
An unlocked domain
An authorization code (also called an EPP code)
Once you start the process, your new domain registrar handles most of the work behind the scenes.
In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how domain transfers work, when you should transfer a domain, what to do before you begin, and how to transfer a domain to Wix.
Disclosure: This article expands on an educational tutorial I created in partnership with Wix. The video version of this tutorial was sponsored by Wix; however, this blog post reflects my own experience, opinions, and recommendations.
What Is a Domain Transfer?
A domain transfer is the process of moving your domain registration from one domain registrar to another.
It’s important to understand that a domain transfer does not move your website.
Your website files, design, and content stay exactly where they are.
Instead, a transfer changes the company responsible for managing your domain registration.
Think of it like transferring your phone number to a new carrier.
Your phone number stays the same—you’re simply changing which company manages your service.
A domain transfer is commonly used when someone wants to simplify their website management.
For example, you might currently have:
Your website hosted on Wix
Your domain registered with another company
Your business email managed somewhere else
Managing multiple accounts can make simple tasks like renewing your domain or updating settings more complicated than they need to be.
By transferring your domain, you can bring your website and domain management together under one account.
Should You Transfer Your Domain or Just Connect It?
One of the biggest sources of confusion is understanding the difference between connecting a domain and transferring a domain.
They are two different processes.
Connecting a Domain
When you connect a domain, your domain stays registered with your current registrar.
You simply update your DNS settings so the domain points to your website.
For example, you might keep your domain registered somewhere else while connecting it to your Wix website.
Transferring a Domain
When you transfer a domain, you move the domain registration itself to a new registrar.
Your new registrar becomes responsible for managing:
Domain renewals
Domain settings
Registration information
Transfer management
So which option is right for you?
Connecting may be enough if:
You are happy with your current registrar
You know your login information
Your payment information is up to date
You don’t mind managing multiple accounts
A transfer may make more sense if:
You want everything managed in one place
You are tired of juggling multiple logins
You want simpler support and billing management
Before You Transfer Your Domain: Checklist
Before starting a domain transfer, there are a few important things to check.
1. Make Sure Your Domain Is Eligible
Most domains cannot be transferred immediately after certain changes.
The most common restriction is the 60-day transfer lock.
You may need to wait 60 days if:
You registered the domain within the last 60 days
You recently transferred the domain
You recently changed certain registration details
This security measure helps prevent unauthorized domain transfers.
2. Update Your Contact Information
Your domain registrar uses your contact information to verify ownership.
Before transferring, make sure:
Your email address is current
You have access to the email account listed
Your phone number is accurate
If your domain was registered years ago, this is especially important.
You don’t want verification emails being sent to an old email address you no longer use.
3. Disable Private Registration (If Needed)
Some domain owners use private registration, also called WHOIS privacy, to hide their personal contact information.
Depending on your registrar, you may need to temporarily disable this before transferring.
If privacy settings block verification emails, the transfer process can be delayed.
4. Unlock Your Domain
Most registrars automatically lock domains to protect against unauthorized transfers.
Before transferring, you’ll need to unlock your domain.
This tells your registrar:
“Yes, I intentionally want to move this domain.”
After the transfer is complete, you can enable domain locking again.
5. Check Your Domain Renewal Date
Many people worry that transferring their domain means losing time they already paid for.
The good news is that your existing registration time does not disappear.
When transferring a domain, you typically purchase an additional year of registration, which is added to your existing expiration date.
What Is an Authorization Code (EPP Code)?
An authorization code—also called an EPP code or transfer code—is a unique code that proves you own the domain.
Think of it like a password for transferring your domain.
Your current registrar provides this code.
Depending on the company, you may find it under:
Domain settings
Transfer settings
Security settings
If you can’t find it, search your registrar’s help center for “EPP code.”
Once you receive the code, keep it somewhere safe because you’ll need it to begin your transfer.
How to Transfer aDomain Name to Wix
Once your domain is ready, you can begin the transfer process.
If you already have a Wix website:
Open your Wix site dashboard
Make sure your website has a Premium plan
Connect your existing domain if it is not already connected
Open your domain management settings
Choose the option to transfer your domain to Wix
Enter your transfer information and complete checkout
Wix will then contact your current registrar and begin the transfer process.
Most of the work happens automatically, but keep checking your email because you may need to confirm the transfer.
Will My Website Go Down During a Domain Transfer?
This is usually the biggest concern people have.
The good news is that your website should typically remain online during a domain transfer.
Most transfers take around 5–7 days to complete.
During that time:
Your visitors should still be able to access your website
Your domain continues working
Your settings move through the transfer process
The most important thing you can do is avoid making unnecessary DNS changes while the transfer is processing.
Once the transfer is complete, you’ll receive confirmation.
What to Do After Your Domain Transfer Is Complete
Congratulations—you’ve officially moved your domain!
After the transfer finishes, take a few minutes to check these settings:
Confirm Your Domain Is Connected Correctly
Make sure your domain is assigned to the correct website inside your Wix account.
Turn On Auto Renewal
A domain name is an important part of your online presence.
Enable automatic renewal so you don’t accidentally lose your domain name in the future.
Domain Transfer: Quick Recap
Transferring a domain name is a straightforward process when you know what to expect.
Before you begin:
Check that your domain is eligible
Unlock your domain
Request your authorization (EPP) code
Start your transfer with your new registrar
Wait approximately 5–7 days for completion
If your goal is to simplify your website management, transferring your domain can help you keep your website, domain, and settings organized in one place.
Ready to transfer your domain to Wix? Start with Wix Domains.
Need help making sure everything transfers correctly? You can also schedule a one-on-one session where we can walk through the process together.
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