What Registrars Usually Don't Tell You
Most registrars just have you fill out a form and don't inform you of all the required steps beforehand. There are actually many requirements and pitfalls that apply to all registrars.
To ensure that your domain transfer goes as smoothly as possible, it is recommended that you read the article below, which covers exact steps and potential pitfalls.
If you are already familiar with the domain transfer process, go ahead and request a transfer at: Register.HostGator.com
Transferring a Domain: Steps & Potential Pitfalls
To transfer your domain name registration to HostGator please follow the directions below. Registration transfers usually take 5 to 7 days to process.
- Why Domain Transfers Typically Fail
(Please Read First)
- Pre-Transfer Checklist
- Transferring Your Domain
- Important Notes, Pitfalls & Warnings
If you're looking to migrate files and content you can find instructions on doing this at: HostGator Website Transfers
Why Domain Transfers Typically Fail
There are two settings that must be correct on your domain, or the transfer will fail. Please check these two things before submitting a transfer request.
- Incorrect Email Address: You must check to make sure the email on your domain is correct and working. Once you start the transfer, the current registrar is going to email this address asking for permission to move the domain. If the email listed isn't your email or doesn't work, you can't respond to this email and thus the transfer will fail.
- Locked Domain Prevents Transfer: You must make sure the domain isn't locked. If it is locked, even if you agree to the transfer, the transfer will fail.
How To Double Check
You can check both of the above by going to: http://www.domaintools.com. Once there, type your domain.com in the field labeled "Whois Lookup:" and click submit. Find where it says "Administrative Contact:" This is where your correct email address must be listed.
Now scroll down to where it says "Status:" If the status says "locked," you must get this changed before doing the transfer.
How To Fix These Issues
To get the above changed you must contact the registrar (the company where you bought the domain), and ask them to make the necessary changes. Some registrars let you make these changes yourself from within their control panel.
Pre-Transfer Checklist
To have your domain name transfer go smoothly, please remember to have the following steps done previously to initializing the domain transfers.
- Make sure the WHOIS information is up-to-date.
- Make sure you have access to the email address stated in the WHOIS Information.
- WHOIS protection must be turned off.
- Confirm the domain is at least 60 days old.
- Confirm that it is not within 7 days of expiration (as a domain transfer that is interrupted by the domain expiring will not complete)
- Confirm that the domain is no more than 30 days past the expiration date.
- Update name servers to the HostGator name servers prior to initiating transfer.
- Unlock the domain.
- Retrieve the EPP Authorization key from your current registrar. Check your Inbox and Spam folders frequently over the next week to ensure you get this key or the reason why it failed as soon as possible.
Transferring Your Domain
-
Please review the Pre-Transfer Checklist
above. - Go to: http://www.hostgator.com/transfer
- Enter your domain in the text field in the center of the page and click Search.
- Click the Add To Cart button, then click the Express Checkout button.
- If you would like to purchase the whois protection that comes with the service you can check the box next to Keep my Contact Information Private with Privacy Protection.
- Enter the EPP Key you received from your current registrar.
- Read through the Domain Registration Agreement and the Terms of Service and check the box to confirm that you read and agree to the terms and agreement.
- After submitting the request you can you will receive an authorization email to the registrant email address on the domain. Respond to this accordingly with your confirmation.
Important Notes, Pitfalls & Warnings
Domain Transfer Authorization Email
You may need to whitelist or add info@transfer-approval.com to your email address book to ensure you receive the domain transfer authorization email.
Additional Payment & Domain Options
Changing Name Servers or Contact Information
Expired Domains & Domains in Redemption
Domains can be transferred while they are expired, but not while in redemption. Although you can transfer an expired domain name, no updates can be made to an expired domain. (So if you need to update your email address to a new email address, you would need to renew the domain name with the current registrar before you can update the information.)
60 Day Rule
You may not transfer a domain unless it has been at the current registrar for at least 60 days.
Renewal Less than 45 Days Ago
If you transfer a domain to us which has been renewed at the previous registrar less than 45 days ago, the domain will not receive an additional year when the transfer completes. If you transfer the domain after 45 days of renewing it, then you will receive an additional year added to your registration. This is a registry restriction and applies to all registrars..
Kindest regards
Alan B.