Transfer your domain from anywhere

Your domain name, located in the address bar of your browser, defines your site. Each domain name is provided by a host or a registrar that has registered the domain with ICANN for a small fee.

Domain providers, like any other merchant, offer different product ranges, features, and varying degrees of services for any given domain name. And like with other things in life, some customers choose to leave one domain provider for another, usually for improved customer service or a better price.

The act of moving your domain name registration from one provider to another is a domain transfer.

While all ICANN domains are transferrable, other domains have restrictions or other special conditions. Country Code TLDs or (ccTLDs), like Colombia's .co or Canada's .ca domain extensions, may have different transfer policies. The .xyz extension also has special rule regarding transfer. If you have any questions, our transfer experts would be happy to help!

Despite popular belief, domain transfers are in fact a quick and easy process. You only need the authorization code from your current provider, and the current email address connected to your account. Double check that you still have access to your secure email account, because you'll receive your code at this address.

We recommend that you back up all the content on your existing domain, this will not be transferred to your new host.

Your website is vital part of your business. It's a lot more than just an online business card, it's your branding, your marketing, and PR all rolled into one. As such, providing your current and potential customers with an easy-to-use and aesthetically pleasing website is key.

Since your website must be hosted on a domain, it's important to ensure that your domain provider is the best choice for both you and your business. Your host should suit all your company needs and provide round-the-clock service. If not, it's worth considering transferring your domain name to another host. The features offered, the quality of those features, the level of service, reliability, and price can vary greatly from provider to provider. So, before you transfer, it's a good idea to start by prioritizing your site and business needs. This will help you make a more-informed decision.

Thinking about IONOS? Our domain transfer deals, competitive prices and dedicated service are ideal for businesses and individuals alike. As part of our domain transfer agreement, we can also assist with some of the online marketing of your IONOS domain, expand its reach and ensure your website is as engaging and effective as possible.

Regardless of why your transferring your domain, we don't charge any domain transfer fees and there are no added costs for moving your domain at any time. You only have to pay for the first year of registration.

It usually doesn't take long! The registration process with IONOS takes just a few minutes, but it's important that you enter your authorization code and other information correctly. If you do that, the entire process usually takes between 24–48 hours.

On the other hand, if we have to verify or correct information for you, it may take up to 7 days for your transfer to go through.

As long as your actual domain name doesn't change and you follow the steps above, your SEO authority should be unaffected by your domain transfer.

We do recommend waiting to cancel your previous account until your domain transfer to IONOS is complete. This way, your site will remain active and visible throughout the transition period.