How to Transfer Your Domain Without Losing Email or Downtime

Why Transfers Go Wrong

A domain transfer changes your registrar — it doesn't automatically change your DNS settings, nameservers, or email configuration. But if you initiate a transfer without understanding these dependencies, you can end up with email going to the wrong server or your website going offline.

The good news: this is entirely avoidable with the right order of operations.

Before You Start: Check the Lock

Go to your current registrar's control panel and find the domain lock (sometimes called "Registrar Lock" or "Transfer Lock"). This is a security feature that prevents unauthorised transfers. You need to unlock it before initiating a transfer.

Note: domains can't be transferred within 60 days of registration or a recent registrar change (ICANN rule).

The Right Order of Operations

Step 1: Document your current DNS settings

Before touching anything, write down (or screenshot) every DNS record: - A records (pointing to your web server IP) - MX records (pointing to your mail server) - CNAME records (subdomains, verification records) - TXT records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, Google verification) - NS records (your nameservers)

If you're using your registrar's nameservers (ns1.godaddy.com, for example), you'll need to recreate all of these at your new registrar.

Step 2: Set up DNS at the new registrar BEFORE transferring

This is the key step most people miss. Set up all your DNS records at the new registrar while your domain is still with the old one. You can do this before the transfer — just don't change the nameservers yet.

This way, when the transfer completes, you can instantly switch nameservers and everything works.

Step 3: Get your EPP/Auth code

At your current registrar, find the EPP code (also called Auth Code or Transfer Code). This is a unique password that authorises the transfer. Keep it safe.

Step 4: Unlock the domain

Disable the Registrar Lock in your current registrar's control panel.

Step 5: Initiate the transfer at the new registrar

Enter your domain name and EPP code at the new registrar and pay for the transfer (most transfers include a one-year renewal, adding time to your expiry).

Step 6: Approve the transfer email

You'll receive a confirmation email at the domain's registered email address. Approve it. Without this, the transfer can take up to 5 business days to auto-approve.

Step 7: Switch nameservers

Once the transfer completes (usually 24–72 hours after approval), update your nameservers in the new registrar's control panel. If you've set up DNS in advance (Step 2), this is instant.

What About Email?

If your email is hosted by a third party (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Proton), your MX records just need to point to the right servers. As long as you copy them correctly to the new registrar, email continues uninterrupted.

If you're using your old registrar's built-in email forwarding (common with GoDaddy and others), you'll need to set that up again at the new registrar or switch to a proper email host before transferring.

Transfer Timeline

• Day 1: Initiate transfer, approve email
• Day 1–3: Transfer pending (new registrar waiting for confirmation from old registrar)
• Day 3–7: Transfer completes
• Day 7: Update nameservers, confirm everything works

Common Issues

Transfer rejected: Usually because the domain is locked, the EPP code is wrong, or you're within the 60-day lock period. Check all three.

Email stopped working: You forgot to copy MX records. Fix immediately by adding them at the new registrar.

Website down: Nameservers changed before DNS was set up at the new registrar. Revert nameservers to the old registrar, set up DNS at the new one, then switch again.