How to Move Your Domain to Your New GoDaddy Account
Moving your domain name is like changing your home’s “title” from one county to another. It sounds complicated, but it is a simple 3-step process. Follow this guide to ensure your digital identity remains secure during the move.
Phase 1: Preparing Your Domain (The “Unlock”)
Before we can move your domain, you must “unlock” it at your current provider. Think of this as getting your keys ready.
- Log in to your current domain provider (e.g., Google, Wix, or Bluehost).
- Turn off “Domain Lock”: Find your domain settings and look for a switch that says “Locked” or “Registrar Lock.” Turn this OFF.
- Turn off “Privacy Protection”: If you pay for “Private Registration,” turn it off temporarily. This allows GoDaddy to verify you are the true owner.
- Get your “Auth Code”: Look for a button that says “Get Authorization Code” or “EPP Code.” This is a secret password for your domain. Copy this code and keep it safe.
Phase 2: Specific Instructions for Popular Providers
- If you are with Google Domains: Go to your Domain list > Click “Registration Settings” > Scroll down to “Transfer Out” > Click “Get Auth Code.”
- If you are with Wix: Go to “Domains” > Click the three dots (…) next to your domain > Select “Transfer Away from Wix” > Follow the prompts to receive your code via email.
- If you are with Bluehost / HostGator: Go to the “Domain” tab > “Security” > Toggle “Transfer Lock” to OFF. Then click “Transfer” to request your EPP code.
Phase 3: Starting the Move at GoDaddy
- Go to GoDaddy.com/Transfers.
- Type in your domain name (e.g., YourBusinessName.com).
- Enter your Auth Code/EPP Code: Paste the secret password you copied in Phase 1.
- Checkout: You will pay a small transfer fee (usually about $10–$20). This doesn’t just move the domain; it adds an extra year of registration to your account.
- Check your Email: Within 24 hours, you will get a “Transfer Confirmation” email. You must click “Approve” in that email, or the move will fail.
Important Notes for Non-Tech Savvy Clients
The “60-Day Rule”: If you bought your domain or moved it in the last 60 days, ICANN (the internet’s governing body) won’t let you move it yet. You’ll have to wait until the 60 days are up.
No Downtime: Your website and email will NOT go down during this process. We are simply moving the “billing and management” of the name, not changing the wires that make it work.
Domain Transfer: Frequently Asked Questions
The Authorization Code (or EPP Code) is case-sensitive and often expires after a few days.
- The Fix: Ensure there are no extra spaces at the beginning or end when you copy/paste it. If it still fails, request a “Fresh” code from your current provider; they usually generate a new one instantly.
There is often a “Sync Delay” between different providers.
- The Fix: It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours for the global registry to see that you’ve unlocked the domain. Take a break and try the GoDaddy step again in an hour.
ICANN (the organization that runs the internet) has a strict rule: if you recently registered a new domain or recently transferred it, it is “frozen” for 60 days.
- The Fix: Unfortunately, this is a hard rule that no registrar can bypass. If you are in this window, we recommend waiting until the 60 days are up. Your website will remain fully functional in the meantime.
The approval email is sent to the Administrative Contact Email listed on your domain’s “WHOIS” record.
- The Fix: Check your spam folder. If it’s not there, log back into your old provider and make sure the email address listed in your “Contact Information” is one you actually have access to. If you update the email there, you may need to wait 24 hours before trying the transfer again.
This is the #1 concern for business owners.
- The Reality: No. A registrar transfer only changes who sends you the bill and who manages the “title.” As long as you do not change your Name Servers during the move, your website and email will remain live throughout the process.
