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Transfer a domain to InstaWP ​

If you already own a domain at another registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, etc.), you can transfer it in to InstaWP and manage it from the same dashboard as your sites: DNS, nameservers, contacts, and auto-renewal all in one place.

A transfer moves the registration itself (not just the DNS). It renews the domain by one year as part of the transfer, so the transfer fee is essentially a one-year renewal at InstaWP's price.

In this documentation, we will explore the steps to:

Before you start ​

A domain transfer is governed by registry rules, not by InstaWP. Before you begin, make sure the domain meets all of these conditions at your current registrar. Otherwise the registry will reject the transfer:

  • It's older than 60 days. Domains registered (or transferred) within the last 60 days can't be transferred, which is an ICANN rule.
  • It's unlocked. Turn off the registrar lock / transfer lock on the domain.
  • You have the auth code. Also called the EPP code or transfer authorization code. Request it from your current registrar (it's usually emailed to the registrant).
  • WHOIS privacy is off (if required). Some registrars must disable WHOIS privacy before the auth code will work. If verification fails, temporarily disable privacy and try again.
  • The admin email is reachable. The registry may email the registrant to approve the transfer.

👉 Note: Transfers typically complete in up to 5–7 days because the losing registrar has to release the domain. During that window your site stays online, and nothing changes at the DNS level until the transfer finishes.

Open the transfer dialog ​

Step 1: Log in to your InstaWP account and click Domains in the left sidebar.

Step 2: Click Add Domain in the top-right corner and choose Transfer domain to InstaWP.

Add Domain button on the Domains page

💡 The same Add Domain menu also holds Connect Domain, which leaves the registration where it is and lets InstaWP manage the DNS only. Buy Domain, next to it, registers a brand new name.

Starting from a domain search instead ​

If you searched for the domain first, you do not have to start over. Because the name is already registered, the Buy Domain search shows the banner "This domain is already registered elsewhere" with a Transfer it instead link. Clicking it opens the same transfer dialog.

The Transfer it instead link appears for an already-registered domain

Check eligibility and enter the auth code ​

Step 3: On the Transfer Domain step, confirm the domain and click Check. InstaWP verifies it against the registry and shows the result:

  1. Eligibility & price: a green "Eligible for transfer" card confirms the domain can be moved, along with the one-year Domain transfer price.
  2. Auth code: paste the EPP / auth code from your current registrar and click Verify.
  3. Registrar lock: if the domain is still locked, InstaWP shows a red Registrar Lock warning with the two things you must do at your current registrar first: unlock the domain and request the transfer / EPP authorization code. Do those, then click Refresh to re-check.

The Transfer Domain step: eligibility, auth code, and registrar lock warning

⚠️ Domain is showing as locked? Log in to your current registrar, turn off the registrar / transfer lock, then come back and click Refresh. The eligibility check won't pass until the lock is removed.

Once the lock is cleared and the auth code verifies, click Continue.

Confirm contact details and checkout ​

Step 4: On the Contact Information step, review the Registrant details (name, email, phone, and address). These are used for the domain's WHOIS record, so make sure they're accurate, then click Continue.

Step 5: On the Checkout Summary step, review the total, tick the confirmation checkbox to acknowledge the transfer charge, and complete the checkout. The fee is deducted from your payment method (or account credit).

What happens after you submit ​

After you submit the transfer:

  • The domain appears in your Domains list with a transfer-in-progress status.
  • The registry emails the registrant to authorize the transfer (approve it to speed things up).
  • Your current registrar releases the domain, which can take up to 5-7 days.
  • When it completes, the domain flips to Active, its registration renews by one year, and you can manage its DNS records, nameservers, and contact details right from InstaWP.

👉 Note: If the transfer fails (locked domain, wrong auth code, or a domain younger than 60 days), the charge is reversed and you can retry once the issue is fixed.

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