Domain transfers can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 8 days to complete. The exact time-frame depends on the domain’s TLD and the time required for your current registrar to complete the process.

If your domain has already been unlocked and you’re ready to begin the transfer, log in to your account and click the banner below. If you’re not ready and need more information on the process, please read on.

Here are the steps to transfer a domain to Namecheap:

1. Verify that your domain is eligible for transfer

Before initiating the transfer, make sure your domain qualifies for it. Here are the standard requirements for most domains, including all gTLDs (e.g., .COM / .NET / .ORG etc.), new gTLDs (e.g., .BID / .CLUB / .TRADE / .TECH etc.) and some ccTLDs (.TV / .ME / .CO etc.):

• The domain must have been registered or transferred at least 60 days ago;
• The domain must be unlocked at the current registrar (its Whois status should read OK or Active);

Some ccTLDs (.ES / .UK / .IO TLD, etc.) have additional transfer requirements and/or exclude some points from the list above. Please check the specific transfer requirements for your TLD here.

2. Order the transfer

After verifying that your domain name meets all transfer requirements, feel free to purchase the transfer at Namecheap.

To start, make sure you have logged in to your account, and then click the banner below.

Next, follow these steps:

1. Sign into your Namecheap account and go to the Transfer page ("Domains" drop-down menu).
2. Enter your domain into the search bar in the domain.tld format. Any protocol like https:// or subdomain like www should be removed. Click "Transfer".
3. Verify that your domain is prepared for the transfer and checkboxes next to the corresponding fields.
4. Provide the Auth/EPP code.
5. Add the transfer to the cart and check out using your preferred payment method.

Shortly afterwards, the transfer will be initiated at the Registry level and the domain will acquire "pendingTransfer" status. Your previous registrar should release the domain within up to 5-7 calendar days. If they do not take any actions within this period, the transfer will be approved automatically. You may also check with them if it is possible to speed up outgoing transfers with them.

When the transfer is over, you will receive a corresponding notification to the email address associated with your Namecheap account. Depending on a TLD, the domain will be renewed for one year and its status will automatically be set to "clientTransferProhibited" (that is, the transfer Lock will be enabled).

Note 1: Please remember that a domain transfer does not imply automatic DNS change. The nameservers for your domain will remain the same after the transfer and are not automatically changed to Namecheap DNS. If your domain is using the default DNS of your previous registrar, they will delete the domain from their DNS zone shortly after the transfer completion which will result in downtime of your website and/or email. To learn how to minimize the downtime, review the information in this article. If instead you are using third-party nameservers, i.e. the ones provided by your host, there should be no interruption to your services.

Additionally, be aware that once a domain transfer is initiated, it won't be possible to update the domain's nameservers. If you need to perform any urgent DNS changes, make sure to do it before the transfer starts. Otherwise, you will be able to do it only upon the transfer completion.

Note 2: If your domain expired with your previous registrar, and you've reactivated it (renewed after expiration) with them, please do not transfer it within 45 days of the previous expiration date. According to ICANN, the domain will be renewed for 1 year by the new registrar, but the reactivation year added to your domain by the previous registrar will be revoked. You may also lose renewal fees paid to the previous registrar. Check more information here.

That's it!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our Support Team.