First, decide what you are moving
A domain transfer changes the provider managing your domain registration. It does not automatically copy your website, move your mailboxes or change your DNS hosting. You may want to move all of those services, or only the registration. Write down the intended changes so no service is cancelled or disconnected by mistake.
Use Lemon Host’s domain transfer page to check your extension and the applicable transfer charge. Registry rules and approval steps differ by extension, so use the instructions shown in the client portal for your specific domain.
1. Confirm ownership and approval access
Check that you can sign in to the current registrar and access the registrant or administrative contact’s inbox. If a developer registered the domain on your behalf, establish who controls the account and who must approve a transfer. Update incorrect contact details through the current provider before you start, and ask whether a change will affect transfer eligibility.
Review the expiry date. If the domain is expired, locked or subject to a registry restriction, ask the current registrar what must be resolved first. Avoid assuming every extension follows the same timing rules.
2. Prepare authorisation details
Where required, obtain the authorisation or EPP code from the current registrar and check whether a transfer lock needs to be removed. Some extensions use a different approval process. Follow the steps for that registry and keep transfer codes private; provide them only through the intended provider’s secure transfer process.
3. Record the current DNS setup
Save a copy of the nameservers and DNS zone before making changes. Include website A or AAAA records, CNAME records, email MX records, TXT records used for SPF, DKIM and DMARC, and any verification records used by business services. Record subdomains such as shop, mail or app as well.
Ask who currently hosts the DNS zone and whether it will remain available after the transfer. Keeping the same nameservers can reduce changes during a registration transfer, but only if that DNS service stays active. If nameservers must change, prepare the new zone before switching.
4. Protect website and email continuity
Keep the current hosting and email services active while the new setup is prepared and tested. If you are moving the website, make a backup and check the new copy before pointing the domain to it. If you are moving email, agree how old messages will be copied and when devices must be updated. Our business email guide explains the distinction between routing new mail and migrating existing messages.
DNS changes may be seen at different times because resolvers cache records. Plan a transition window with support instead of relying on a single universal propagation estimate. If DNSSEC is enabled, coordinate the DNSSEC and DS records with the providers before changing DNS hosting.
5. Submit, approve and verify
Start the transfer through the portal, review the charges and complete the requested approvals. A transfer does not always include a renewal; check the registration period and renewal details shown for your extension. Completion time depends on the registry and the approvals required.
After completion, verify the new registrar, expiry date and nameservers. Test the live website, important subdomains, incoming email and outgoing email. Confirm that domain renewal reminders reach an inbox you monitor, then cancel old services only when you have established they are no longer needed.
Ready to plan your move?
Check your domain transfer options or ask Lemon Host to review the move. If you are also changing website hosting, compare hosting plans and explain which services need to move together.