Transfer your domain under Siteko management
If your domain is registered with another registrar, you can move it to Siteko and manage it in the same panel as your hosting, DNS, SSL and email. The website keeps working: a transfer changes the registrar that services the domain, not the website content.
Siteko is a partner of Webnames and the ICANN-accredited registrar enom, so the transfer follows the rules of the registrar and the domain zone, while we help you go through the procedure clearly and without unnecessary mistakes.
- transfer of international .com, .net, .org domains is free
- the registration term does not expire
- AuthInfo code and a clear step-by-step guide
- manage the domain, DNS, SSL and email in one panel
In short
What it means to move a domain under Siteko management
A domain transfer (registrar change) is the handover of domain servicing from the current registrar to a new one. The registrar that stores and services the domain details changes, while the domain itself, its registration term and its owner stay the same.
This is not the same as moving a website or changing the administrator. These procedures are often confused, so we will briefly separate the terms — it makes it easier to understand whether a transfer is what you need.
Not sure exactly what you need — a domain transfer, a website transfer or an administrator change? Contact support, and we will suggest the right order of actions.
Domain transfer (registrar change)
The registrar that services the domain changes. An AuthInfo code is required. The owner and registration term do not change. This is exactly what is described on this page.
Website transfer
Files, the database, SSL and email are moved to Siteko hosting. The domain and its registrar may stay the same.
Administrator change
The person the domain is registered to changes (the owner in the registry). This is a separate procedure. Administrator change.
Move between accounts
The domain starts to appear in a different panel account. The registrar and the owner in the registry stay the same.
Why it matters
Why move a domain under Siteko management
A domain transfer is convenient when you want to gather everything around your website in one place and stop switching between different services and accounts.
What you get
- domain, hosting, DNS, SSL and email — in one panel and under one support team;
- easier to renew the domain and not lose the address customers already use;
- easier to manage DNS records when connecting a website, email and third-party services;
- a single invoice and a single point of contact whenever something needs setting up or fixing.
Zones and terms
Which domains can be transferred and on what terms
Transfer terms depend on the domain zone. International domains are serviced through the ICANN-accredited registrar enom, Russian zones — through Webnames.
International domains (and other gTLDs)
The transfer is free, but under ICANN rules the domain is renewed for one additional year during the transfer. That year is not lost — it is added to the current registration term.
Russian zones
The transfer is handled through Webnames according to the rules of the relevant zone. A separate transfer fee or a transfer together with a domain renewal is possible. See current prices on the pricing page.
Exact amounts depend on the zone and plan and may change, so it is better to verify specific prices on the Siteko pricing page rather than memorize them. If needed, support will suggest the cost for your situation.
What to prepare
What you need to transfer a domain
To start a transfer, prepare a few things in advance. If something is missing, we will tell you where to get it.
AuthInfo code (EPP code)
This is a one-time secret password that confirms your right to transfer the domain. It is issued by the current registrar — usually in the account or on request to support. The code is needed when submitting the request.
Access to the domain administrator email
A message with a confirmation link will be sent to the address listed with the current registrar. Make sure you have access to that mailbox.
Restrictions lifted at the current registrar
For international domains, transfers are often blocked by a special status (clientTransferProhibited). It must be lifted at the current registrar before the transfer — usually an "allow transfer" or "unlock domain" toggle.
Where to get the AuthInfo code: the code is requested from the current registrar. Different registrars call it differently: AuthInfo, EPP code, transfer code, transfer key. If you cannot get it — write to us, we will help you figure it out.
Transfer form
Submit a request through the transfer form
A transfer request is submitted right on this page — in the transfer form. The same form is available in the Siteko account, in the "Domains" section, so you can start a transfer either from the page or from the account.
If you do not have an AuthInfo code yet, get it from the current registrar. After you submit the request, the domain appears in your account with the "awaiting transfer" status. In your account it is convenient to track the transfer status: "awaiting transfer" → "Active". You will also get a notification there if a confirmation is required or something goes wrong.
Order of actions
How to transfer a domain: step by step
The basic transfer scenario comes down to a few steps. In some cases the registrar may request an additional check, but in most situations the order is as follows.
Prepare the domain at the current registrar
Lift the transfer lock (for international domains), make sure the administrator details are up to date, and get the AuthInfo code.
Submit a transfer request in Siteko
Enter the domain name and AuthInfo code in the transfer form — on this page or in your account. If you transfer several domains, each is entered with its own code.
Go to the transfer formPay for the transfer/renewal
For international domains you pay for a one-year renewal (the transfer itself is free). For .ru, .рф, .su — according to the zone terms.
Confirm the transfer by email
A message with a link will be sent to the domain administrator address. Follow it and confirm the transfer — after that the procedure starts automatically.
Wait for completion
Transferring an international domain usually takes up to 5 days (120 hours) after confirmation. On completion the domain changes its status to "Active" and appears in your Siteko panel.
Check the website and email
The registration term, NS servers and DNS records do not change during a transfer, and the website keeps working. After the transfer it is worth checking once more that the website, email and SSL open as usual.
What happens next
What happens after you submit a transfer request
After you submit and pay for the request, the domain gets the "awaiting transfer" status. A message with a confirmation link is sent to the domain administrator email (the one listed with the current registrar).
You will need to follow the link and confirm the transfer. After confirmation the procedure starts automatically and takes up to 5 days (120 hours). On completion the domain changes its status to "Active" in the Siteko panel.
If the confirmation message does not arrive, check the "Spam" folder and make sure the administrator email at the current registrar is up to date. We will help you figure it out if needed.
A common concern
Will the registration term expire during a transfer
No. During a transfer the paid registration term of the domain is not lost.
So for international domains you do not lose the paid period — you add another year to it.
For example, today the domain is paid until 1 May 2027
for .ru, .рф the term stays until 1 May 2027;
for .com, .net, .org the term becomes 1 May 2028 — because during a transfer an international domain is renewed for one additional year.
When a transfer is not possible
When a domain cannot be transferred
Sometimes a transfer is temporarily unavailable — these are normal registration-rule restrictions, not an error. A transfer is usually not possible if:
If you are not sure whether the domain can be transferred right now, write to us — we will check the domain status and tell you when a transfer becomes possible.
- less than 10 days remain until the domain registration expires;
- less than 30 days (60 for gTLDs) have passed since the domain was registered;
- the registrar or administrator was changed less than 30–60 days ago (for .com, .net, .org a 60-day ICANN lock applies after registration or a change of contact details);
- there is a dispute or legal proceeding over the domain;
- the administrator has not provided the data or documents requested by the registrar;
- the registry has restrictions that prevent the domain from being transferred to another registrar.
So nothing breaks
What to check and save before a transfer
A domain transfer on its own does not change DNS and does not move the website. But if the hosting or DNS records are changed at the same time, outages are possible. Before a transfer it is useful to save the current settings:
That way, if you need to restore something, you will have a full copy of the working settings.
Siteko help
We will help you transfer a domain without extra hassle
A domain transfer is a simple procedure, but it is easy to get confused: where to get the AuthInfo code, how to lift the lock, which message to confirm and what happens to the website. Siteko helps you go through this calmly.
What we can suggest
- where to get the AuthInfo code at the current registrar;
- how to lift the transfer lock;
- which DNS records to keep so the website and email do not go down;
- how long the transfer takes and what status the domain is in now.
What is better not to do
- do not change the registrar, NS and hosting at the same time without a plan;
- do not start a transfer if less than 10 days remain until registration expires;
- do not ignore the confirmation message — without it the transfer will not start.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about domain transfer
Will the website stop working during the transfer?
No. During the transfer the domain keeps working, the website and email stay available. NS servers and DNS records are preserved during the transfer.
How long does a transfer take?
For international domains (.com, .net, .org) — usually up to 5 days (120 hours) after email confirmation. For Russian zones the time depends on the zone rules.
What is the AuthInfo code and where do I get it?
It is a secret code confirming the right to transfer the domain. It is issued by the current registrar — in the account or on request to support. It may be called AuthInfo, EPP code, transfer code.
Is the transfer paid?
Transferring international domains (.com, .net, .org) is free, but the domain is renewed for a year. For .ru, .рф, .su the zone terms apply — see pricing. See pricing .
Will I lose the paid registration term?
No. The paid term is preserved. For international domains another year is added to it, since the domain is renewed during the transfer.
Will the domain owner change during the transfer?
No. A transfer changes the registrar, not the owner. If you need to change the owner, that is a separate procedure — an administrator change. Administrator change .
Do I need to do anything for the website to keep working?
If NS servers and DNS records do not change, you do not need to do anything special. Just in case, save the current DNS settings before the transfer.
Can I transfer several domains at once?
Yes. Each domain is entered with its own AuthInfo code.
What if the confirmation message did not arrive?
Check the "Spam" folder and the relevance of the administrator email at the current registrar. If there is no message — contact support, we will help.
Why can my domain not be transferred right now?
Most often because of restrictions: the domain was registered or changed registrar less than 30–60 days ago, less than 10 days remain until expiration, or the current registrar has a transfer lock. We will check your situation .
Who becomes the domain registrar after the transfer?
For international domains (.com, .net, .org) — the ICANN-accredited registrar enom. For .ru, .рф, .su — the Russian zone registrar via Webnames. You will manage the domain in the Siteko panel.
Ready to transfer a domain to Siteko?
Gather your domain, hosting, DNS, SSL and email in one panel. We will help with the AuthInfo code, confirmation and checks so the website keeps working without disruptions.