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Transferring a Domain
Transferring a Domain
Updated over 3 years ago

Are you looking to transfer a domain to or away from our registry? This article is to act as a guide in helping you accomplish these easy task.

Transferring Domains

When transferring a domain you should have an idea of where you are wanting to transfer the domain to (such as to Hostek, or away to another registry).

The domain must also be unlocked in order to be transferred (this is the same for any registry). If your domain is registered elsewhere, then we recommend reaching out to your registrar for assistance.

During the transfer process (for all domains, except for .co.uk) you will also have to verify an approval email that is sent to the administrative contact for the domain. The administrative contact is set on the registry level and is typically controlled in the control panel for the registrar you use. 

Lastly, a transfer authorization code (EPP Code) is needed when submitting the transfer request to another registry. This, along with the approval email, is methods put in place to help prevent domain theft. You can request an EPP code from your registrar, which we recommend also unlocking the domain and checking the administrative contact at the same time to move the process along quicker. If you have your domain registration with Hostek already, then you can obtain an EPP code for your domain by following our guide.

Transfer Domain To Us

In order to transfer a domain to our registry (Hostek) you will need to make sure you have:

  1. The domain unlocked.

  2. The transfer authorization code (EPP code).

  3. Access to the administrative contact address on domain (and WHOIS privacy disabled).

Once you have these prerequisites you can then proceed with the following steps:

  1. Login to the billing control panel:
    U.S.: https://cp.hostek.com
    U.K.: https://cp.hostek.co.uk
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  2. Once logged in click on the ‘Domain Registrations’ option from the menu. Then select ‘Transfer Domain to Us’.
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3. You will now be asked for the domain name you wish to transfer along with the EPP code discussed earlier. Go ahead and enter the information and double-check for any spelling errors.

Click on the ‘Add to Cart’ button once ready to move on.

4. You will now see additional domain add-on options on the following page. You can add these add-ons at this time or anytime in the future if needed.

5. On the same page as the optional add-ons, you will see the ability to set name servers for the domain. Once the domain is finished moving to our registry the domain will then be updated to use the name servers you set on this page.

Note: During the transfer process (can take up to 7 days to complete) the domain will not be able to be updated, so keep this in mind if you need to update the name servers prior to transfer.

6. Once you verify everything looks correct click on the ‘Continue’ button at the bottom of the page.
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7. Upon selecting “Continue”, you will be directed to the “Review & Checkout” process to complete the transfer order.

You should receive the approval email within the next several hours, which you will need to approve so that the registry transfer can begin. The registry transfer typically takes 1-7 days after the approval is accepted.


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Transfer .CO.UK Domain To Us

In order to transfer a .CO.UK domain to our registry (Hostek) you will need to make sure you have:

  1. Access to change IPS tag associated with the domain (may need registrar to do this for you).

  2. Access to the administrative contact address on domain (and WHOIS privacy disabled).

Follow the steps below when you are ready to proceed.

  1. At your current registrar change, the IPS tag to: HOSTEK

  2. Once the tag has been changed, then follow the steps in the above section for ‘Transfer Domain To Us’. During the process, it will ask for an EPP code, which is not valid for .CO.UK domains. In this field just enter a random code (such as ‘noeppcodeneeded’).
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    ​Note: During the last step in the checkout be sure to enter notes with the order stating:Copy to clipboardIPS tag changed to Hostek. Process transfer.

  3. If you do not add these notes, then our team may reach out to you with steps needed to perform transfer which can cause a delay in the process since you already completed the steps. If you add these notes to the order, then our team will be able to process the transfer.
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    ​No other steps are needed on domain owners end. The registry transfer typically takes 1-7 days after the approval is accepted.

Transfer Domain Away

In order to transfer a domain away from our registry (Hostek) you will need to make sure you have:

  1. The domain unlocked.

  2. The transfer authorization code (EPP code).

  3. Access to the administrative contact address on domain (and WHOIS privacy disabled).

Once you have finished the above prerequisites then you can submit the transfer request with another registry by following their forms/guides. During the process, you’ll need to enter the EPP code obtained from the steps outlined in the guide mentioned earlier, as well as accept the approval email that is sent to the administrative contact once you initiate the transfer request.

Once the receiving registry has confirmation of the approval being accepted (by the domain owner), then the registry transfer typically takes 1-7 days to complete.

Transfer .CO.UK Domain Away

In order to transfer a .CO.UK domain away from our registry (Hostek) you will need to make sure you have:

  1. The IPS tag associated with the new registrar (whom you will be transferring to).

  2. Not always needed - Access to the administrative contact address on domain (and WHOIS privacy disabled).

Once you have obtained the IPS tag from the new registrar please:
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1. Login to your control panel - https://cp.hostek.co.uk (UK) or https://cp.hostek.com (US).
2. Select 'Domains' - this is in the middle of the page under 'Welcome back, [Name]'
3. Select the down arrow next the spanner (wrench) icon, inline with the domain name you wish to edit

4. Select 'Manage Domain'
5. On the left, select 'Release Domain'
6. Type the new IPS tag here, and select 'release'.
Note: It's important to ensure the IPS name you type is correct, this cannot be undone once the domain is released.

Depending on the new registrar you might need to follow additional steps with them in getting the domain transferred, but no further action is required on Hostek end at this point.

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