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Domain transfer

Domain transfer made simple

Bring your existing domain to CheapTopHost and manage your domains, hosting and email in one place. A domain transfer takes just a few steps – and with the right preparation your website stays online the whole time.

  • Four clear steps
  • No downtime with prepared DNS
  • DNS management, privacy and DNSSEC
How it worksTransfer FAQ

Why switch

Why transfer your domain to CheapTopHost?

Many website owners collect domains at different providers over the years. Renewal reminders arrive from several places, login details get lost and nobody knows exactly where the DNS settings live. A domain transfer brings everything together: your domains, your hosting, your mailboxes and your SSL certificates are managed in a single, easy control panel.

During a domain transfer only the company that manages the registration changes. You remain the owner of the domain, and the name itself stays exactly the same. Once the move is complete you can edit nameservers and DNS records, enable domain privacy where available and switch on DNSSEC for supported endings.

  • All domains and services in one account
  • Personal support in English and German
  • Full control over DNS and nameservers

Step by step

How to transfer your domain in four steps

The exact wording may differ at your current provider, but the process is the same for most domain endings.

  1. 01

    1. Unlock your domain

    Log in at your current provider and remove the transfer lock (sometimes called registrar lock). Also check that the owner email address in the domain record is up to date, because confirmation messages are sent there.

  2. 02

    2. Request the auth code

    Ask your current provider for the authorisation code, also known as EPP code or transfer code. It proves that you are allowed to move the domain. Keep it private and never send it by email to anyone who has not asked for it officially.

  3. 03

    3. Order the transfer

    Enter your domain in our shop, choose transfer and add the auth code during checkout. For some country endings the procedure works slightly differently – the order process guides you through it.

  4. 04

    4. Confirm the transfer

    Depending on the ending you may receive an email asking you to approve the move. Once confirmed, the registry completes the transfer and your domain appears in your CheapTopHost account.

Website and email

What happens to your website and email during the transfer?

A domain transfer only changes who manages the registration. Where your website and email are hosted is decided by the nameservers and DNS records of the domain. If these settings are carried over unchanged, visitors and incoming emails continue to reach the same servers as before – before, during and after the transfer.

That is why preparation matters. Before you start, note down or export your current DNS records, especially A, CNAME, MX and TXT entries for email, SPF and DKIM. Some providers delete their DNS zone as soon as a domain leaves them. If the zone already exists at the destination, or the domain points to nameservers that are independent of the old provider, there is no interruption.

  • Back up your DNS records before you begin
  • Set up the DNS zone at the destination in advance
  • Only switch nameservers once everything is ready

No downtime

Domain transfer without downtime

With a little planning nobody will notice that your domain has moved.

Prepare DNS

Recreate your existing records in our control panel before the transfer, so the new zone answers correctly from the very first minute.

Lower the TTL

Reduce the time-to-live of your records a day in advance. Changes then spread through the internet faster when you switch.

Move hosting too

Want to move your website as well? Our free website migration takes care of files, databases and mailboxes for you.

Related

More about domains and moving to us

Register a domain

Need an additional name? Search hundreds of endings and register instantly.

Learn more

Free website migration

We move your existing website and email to CheapTopHost free of charge.

Learn more

Domain prices

Find out where to see the current transfer and renewal price for each ending.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions about domain transfers

How long does a domain transfer take?
It depends on the domain ending and on how quickly the confirmation is given. Many transfers are completed within a few days, some country endings are much faster. You can follow the status in your customer area at any time.
Will my website go offline during the domain transfer?
Not if the DNS settings stay the same or are prepared in advance at the destination. The transfer only changes the managing provider, not the servers your website and email run on. Problems usually only occur when the old provider deletes its DNS zone and no new zone is ready.
What is an auth code and where do I get it?
The auth code, also called EPP or transfer code, is a password-like key for your domain. You receive it from your current provider, usually in their customer area or on request. Enter it only in our order form and never share it in an ordinary email.
Why can my domain not be transferred yet?
Common reasons are an active transfer lock, an outdated owner email address or a domain that was registered or transferred very recently. Many registries block transfers for a period after registration, often 60 days. A domain that is close to expiry should be renewed or transferred well in advance.
Do I lose remaining registration time when I transfer?
For many generic endings such as .com, the transfer includes a renewal and the remaining time is kept. Other endings, particularly some country codes, handle this differently. The order process shows you what applies to your domain.
Can you also move my website and mailboxes?
Yes. With any of our hosting plans we move existing websites free of charge, including databases and email. Find out more on our website migration page or contact our support team.

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