What Is a Domain Transfer and How Do You Do It?
Your domain name is one of the most valuable pieces of your business. It’s on your business cards, your email signatures, and your storefront.
So when it’s time to move that domain to a new registrar, you want someone to walk you through it, and that’s exactly what this guide is for. Transferring a domain takes about 15 minutes of your time, and when it’s done, your domain registration sits right next to your hosting in one account you can actually manage. Let’s get started.
What Exactly Is a Domain Transfer?
A domain transfer moves the registration of your domain name from one registrar to another.
Your domain itself stays the same: same name, same website, same email. What changes is the company that manages your registration, your renewals, and your DNS settings.
Think of it like moving your phone number to a new carrier. The number doesn’t change; the provider does. Everyone who calls you still reaches you. In the same way, a domain transfer leaves your online presence untouched while your registration moves to a company you can count on.
Transfers follow rules set by ICANN, the organisation that oversees domain names around the world. Those rules exist to protect you, and they’re also why every transfer follows a similar path, no matter which registrar you’re coming from.
One nice perk: every transfer adds a year of registration to your domain. You’re not losing time when you move; you’re gaining it.
When Should You Transfer Your Domain?
There are plenty of good reasons to move a domain to WestHost. A few of the most common:
- You want your domain and hosting in the same place. One login, one bill, one dashboard for everything you run online.
- You’re paying more than you’d like. WestHost offers .com domains for $0.99 in the first year (renewing at $16.59/year), and every domain includes a free web page, five free email forwarders, and full DNS control.
- You want support you can actually reach. Real humans, ready to help when you call.
- You’re juggling too many accounts. Consolidating your domains at WestHost means fewer logins and less to keep track of.
- You’re planning a new website and want the domain, hosting, and email set up together from day one.
Whatever your reason, the process is the same, and it’s simpler than most people expect.
WestHost offers affordable domains so having your own identity doesn’t break the bank.
Choosing WestHost means keeping everything you need all in one place. Perfect for small business owners wanting ease and affordable solutions.
We don’t just host your website. We provide you a place to manage all your online needs from your domain name to your professional email. Alongside our services, we provide friendly help whenever you need us so you never feel alone.
Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Start
Run through this checklist before you begin. If every box is checked, your transfer should go through without surprises:
- Your domain is active and not expired. Suspended or expired domains can’t be transferred.
- Your domain is at least 60 days old. ICANN rules say a newly registered domain has to wait 60 days before it can move.
- You haven’t renewed it in the last 45 days, and it isn’t involved in a dispute or subject to a hold.
- Your domain is unlocked at your current registrar. Registrars lock domains by default, so you’ll need to turn the lock off before starting.
- You have your EPP code in hand. Also called an authorization code or auth code, it’s a unique key that proves you own the domain. You can request it from your current registrar; most make it available right in your account dashboard.
- The admin email on your account is one you check regularly. That’s where your confirmation email will land.
Step-by-Step: How to Transfer a Domain to WestHost
The steps below take about 15 minutes. The path differs a little depending on whether you’re brand new to WestHost or already have an account; we’ll cover both.
If you’re new to WestHost:
- Go to westhost.com and search for your domain name in the search bar.
- When the results come up, choose Transfer for your domain and continue to checkout. Your order includes the transfer itself and a year of registration.
- Log in to your WestHost Control and Hosting Interface (CHI) using the account you just created.
- Click Domains, then Transfers. You’ll see your domain listed as a pending transfer.
- Enter the EPP code you got from your current registrar.
- Open the confirmation email sent to your domain’s admin contact and follow the instructions to approve the transfer.
If you already have a WestHost account:
- Log in at chi.westhost.com with your existing credentials.
- Click Domains, then Register More.
- Search for your domain name and choose Transfer in the results.
- Complete the checkout to place the transfer order.
- Open the Transfers tab, enter your EPP code, and submit it.
- Check the email sent to your domain’s admin contact and confirm the transfer.
That’s it, you’re done on your end. WestHost and your current registrar handle the rest, and you’ll receive updates as the transfer moves forward. If you get turned around at any step, the domain transfer guide on our site walks through it with screenshots.
How Long Does a Domain Transfer Take?
Once your EPP code is verified and you’ve replied to the confirmation email, your transfer usually completes in 5 to 7 days.
It’s not instant for a reason. When you approve the transfer, your current registrar gets a notice and has up to five days to respond. If they don’t object, the transfer goes through. Plenty of transfers finish sooner, but planning on 5 to 7 days is the safe bet.
Note: Three things keep the clock moving: reply to the confirmation email the moment it lands, double-check that your EPP code is correct, and leave your domain unlocked at your current registrar until the transfer is complete.
And while you wait? Nothing changes for your customers. Your website and email keep working through the whole process, your site never goes dark.
Common Domain Transfer Problems and How to Avoid Them
Most transfers complete with zero drama. When one stalls, it’s almost always one of these. Here’s what they look like and how to steer around them.
A mistyped or expired EPP code.
EPP codes are case-sensitive, and some registrars expire them after a set time. Copy yours exactly, and if it doesn’t work, request a fresh one. It’s a two-minute fix.
A locked domain.
If your transfer never really gets going, check for a registrar lock. Log in to your current registrar, turn the lock off, and start again.
A confirmation email nobody answered.
This is the most common delay. The email goes to the admin contact listed on your domain. If you use WHOIS privacy, make sure the forwarding address is one you can actually read. No confirmation, no transfer.
An expired or suspended domain.
Renew it first so it’s active and not expired, then start the transfer fresh. An expired domain can’t move.
A domain that’s too young.
If your domain was registered less than 60 days ago, there’s no shortcut around the ICANN waiting period. Mark your calendar and start once the window passes.
A recent renewal.
Domains renewed in the last 45 days are often held back by the losing registrar. If you renewed recently, wait out the window before you try again.
The best way to avoid all of this? Run through the prerequisites checklist one more time before you start. It takes two minutes and can save you a week of waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my website or email go down during the transfer?
No. A domain transfer happens at the registrar level, behind the scenes. Your domain keeps resolving, your website keeps loading, and your email keeps flowing. You shouldn’t notice any downtime at all.
How much does a domain transfer cost at WestHost?
Transferring a .com domain starts at $0.99 for the first year, renewing at $16.59/year. The transfer adds a year of registration to your domain, and every WestHost domain includes a free web page, five free email forwarders, and full DNS control.
What if I don’t have my EPP code?
Ask your current registrar. The EPP code is issued by the registrar that holds your domain, look for an “Authorization code” or “EPP code” option in your account dashboard, or reach out to their support team. They’re required to give it to you, and it usually arrives within minutes.
Do I need to move my hosting at the same time?
Not at all. You can transfer just the domain and leave your current hosting in place until you’re ready. When you are ready, WestHost hosting plans work right alongside the domain already sitting in your account.
Ready to bring your domain home? Start your transfer at or see everything WestHost offers at. westhost.com/domain-names/domain-transfers/westhost.com/domain-names/chi.westhost.comAlready have an account? Log in at and your next domain is just a few clicks away. And if you hit a snag at any point, our support team is one call or chat away, we’re happy to help.