Changing a domain registrant is the process of moving a domain from one account to another account, within the same registrar. Transferring a domain is the process of transferring a domain to an account with a different registrar.

Changing a Domain Registrant

You may want to initiate a domain registrant change under the following circumstances:

• You want to move your domain to another account with your current registrar. For example, you sold your domain to someone who has an account with your current registrar.
• You need to change the domain contact's email address and don't have access to the account. For example, the account that contains the domain belongs to a former employee.

If you have access to the account in which the domain is located, you can initiate a domain account change through the Domain Manager. For more information, see Initiating Registrant Changes.

If you do not have access to the account, you must complete the Request for Change of Account/Email Update Preparation Form. For more information about completing the form, see Completing a Change Form for Moving Domains.

Transferring a Domain

You may want to transfer a domain under the following circumstances:

• You sold your domain to another user who uses a different registrar.
• You switched registrars and want to transfer your domains to an account with your new registrar.

Transferring domains takes five days or less.

If you want to transfer a domain from another registrar to us, follow the procedure specified by your current registrar. To facilitate the process, verify the email address for the domain's administrative contact at your current registrar is correct and advise the contact to expect our request for approval. We use the administrative contact's email address to request approval to transfer the domain. The transfer can be denied by your current registrar. If your name was on hold or was released by your current registrar, please contact us to resubmit your transfer. For more information, see Transferring Domains to Us.

If you want to transfer a domain to another registrar, you must unlock your domain and initiate the transfer with your new registrar.