[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":213},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-checklists/domain-transfer-checklist":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"category":189,"date":190,"dateModified":190,"description":191,"draft":192,"extension":193,"faq":194,"featured":192,"headerVariant":198,"image":199,"keywords":199,"meta":200,"navigation":201,"ogDescription":202,"ogTitle":199,"path":203,"readTime":199,"schemaOrg":204,"schemaType":205,"seo":206,"sitemap":207,"stem":208,"tags":209,"twitterCard":211,"__hash__":212},"blog/blog/checklists/domain-transfer-checklist.md","Domain Transfer Security Checklist: 16-Item Guide to Safe Transfers",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":183},"minimark",[9,16,19,22,47,65,84,103,119,124,127,130,152,171],[10,11,12],"tldr",{},[13,14,15],"p",{},"Before transferring your domain, backup all DNS records, lower TTL values, enable transfer lock until you are ready, and verify you have access to your admin email. 4 critical items prevent domain hijacking, 8 important items ensure smooth transfer, and 4 recommended items provide extra security. After transfer, re-verify all DNS settings and enable domain lock at the new registrar.",[13,17,18],{},"Domain transfers feel routine until something goes sideways and your site is unreachable for days. A botched transfer can also open the door to domain hijacking if you are not careful. Take an hour to go through this list and you will avoid the headaches that catch people off guard.",[20,21],"print-button",{},[23,24,26,31,35,39,43],"checklist-section",{"title":25},"Quick Checklist (5 Critical Items)",[27,28],"checklist-item",{"description":29,"label":30},"Screenshot or export your DNS zone file before any changes","Export and backup all DNS records",[27,32],{"description":33,"label":34},"Transfer confirmations go to the admin contact email","Verify admin email access",[27,36],{"description":37,"label":38},"Turn on registrar lock immediately after transfer completes","Enable domain lock at new registrar",[27,40],{"description":41,"label":42},"Set up 2FA on your new registrar account","Enable two-factor authentication",[27,44],{"description":45,"label":46},"Check all records transferred correctly and fix discrepancies","Verify DNS records at new registrar",[23,48,51,55,58,62],{"title":49,"count":50},"Pre-Transfer Preparation","4",[27,52],{"description":53,"label":54},"Confirm you can log into the current registrar and have authorization to initiate the transfer. How to verify domain ownership","Verify domain ownership and admin access",[27,56],{"description":57,"label":30},"Screenshot or export your DNS zone file. Document A records, CNAME, MX, TXT, and any other records. How to backup DNS records",[27,59],{"description":60,"label":61},"Reduce TTL to 300 seconds (5 minutes) at least 24 hours before transfer. This helps changes propagate faster. How to configure DNS TTL","Lower DNS TTL values",[27,63],{"description":64,"label":34},"Transfer confirmation emails go to the admin contact. Make sure you can receive emails at that address. How to update domain contacts",[23,66,68,72,76,80],{"title":67,"count":50},"Security Before Transfer",[27,69],{"description":70,"label":71},"Some registrars require visible WHOIS data for transfers. Re-enable privacy after transfer completes. How to manage WHOIS privacy","Disable WHOIS privacy temporarily (if required)",[27,73],{"description":74,"label":75},"Remove the registrar lock (also called transfer lock or domain lock) to allow the transfer to proceed. How to unlock domain for transfer","Unlock the domain for transfer",[27,77],{"description":78,"label":79},"Request the transfer auth code from your current registrar. Keep it secure and do not share publicly. How to get EPP code","Obtain the authorization code (EPP code)",[27,81],{"description":82,"label":83},"Note your current nameservers. Decide whether to keep them or switch to the new registrar's nameservers. How to check nameservers","Document current nameserver settings",[23,85,87,91,95,99],{"title":86,"count":50},"During Transfer",[27,88],{"description":89,"label":90},"Enter your domain and authorization code at the gaining registrar to start the process. How to initiate domain transfer","Initiate transfer at the new registrar",[27,92],{"description":93,"label":94},"Approve the transfer request sent to your admin email. Check spam folders if you do not see it. How to confirm domain transfer","Confirm transfer via email",[27,96],{"description":97,"label":98},"Watch for any downtime or email issues. The transfer process should not cause outages if DNS is unchanged. How to monitor domain transfer","Monitor your site and email during transfer",[27,100],{"description":101,"label":102},"Avoid editing DNS records while the transfer is in progress. Wait until it completes. How to handle DNS during transfer","Do not make DNS changes during transfer",[23,104,106,109,112,115],{"title":105,"count":50},"Post-Transfer Security",[27,107],{"description":108,"label":46},"Check that all DNS records transferred correctly. Compare against your backup and fix any discrepancies. How to verify DNS records",[27,110],{"description":111,"label":38},"Turn on registrar lock to prevent unauthorized transfers. This is your first line of defense against hijacking. How to enable domain lock",[27,113],{"description":114,"label":42},"Set up 2FA on your new registrar account. Use an authenticator app rather than SMS if possible. How to set up registrar 2FA",[27,116],{"description":117,"label":118},"If you disabled WHOIS privacy for the transfer, turn it back on to protect your contact information. How to enable WHOIS privacy","Re-enable WHOIS privacy",[120,121,123],"h2",{"id":122},"why-domain-security-matters","Why Domain Security Matters",[13,125,126],{},"Your domain is your identity on the internet. If someone gains control of your domain, they can redirect your traffic, intercept your email, and impersonate your business. Domain hijacking can destroy customer trust and take weeks to recover from.",[13,128,129],{},"According to ICANN, domain disputes and hijacking cases increased by 22% between 2023 and 2025. Most successful attacks exploit weak account security or social engineering against registrar support.",[131,132,133,140,146],"faq-section",{},[134,135,137],"faq-item",{"question":136},"How long does a domain transfer take?",[13,138,139],{},"Most domain transfers complete in 5 to 7 days. Some registrars offer expedited transfers that complete within hours if both parties confirm quickly. The ICANN-mandated waiting period can be waived if the losing registrar approves.",[134,141,143],{"question":142},"Can someone steal my domain during a transfer?",[13,144,145],{},"Domain hijacking is possible if attackers gain access to your email or registrar account. Enable two-factor authentication on both your email and registrar accounts, and use domain lock features to prevent unauthorized transfers.",[134,147,149],{"question":148},"Will my website go down during the transfer?",[13,150,151],{},"Not if you do it correctly. As long as you keep the same nameservers and DNS records, your site should stay up throughout the transfer. The change is administrative only until you modify DNS settings.",[153,154,155,161,166],"related-articles",{},[156,157],"related-card",{"description":158,"href":159,"title":160},"Pre-launch security verification","/blog/checklists/production-checklist","Production Launch Checklist",[156,162],{"description":163,"href":164,"title":165},"Security checks before going live","/blog/checklists/pre-deployment-security-checklist","Pre-Deployment Security Checklist",[156,167],{"description":168,"href":169,"title":170},"Secure your custom domain with SSL","/blog/how-to","How to Add SSL to Custom Domains",[172,173,176,180],"cta-box",{"href":174,"label":175},"/","Start Free Scan",[120,177,179],{"id":178},"scan-your-site-after-the-transfer","Scan Your Site After the Transfer",[13,181,182],{},"Make sure everything is working correctly with a quick security scan.",{"title":184,"searchDepth":185,"depth":185,"links":186},"",2,[187,188],{"id":122,"depth":185,"text":123},{"id":178,"depth":185,"text":179},"checklists","2026-01-26","Domain transfer security checklist for startups. Protect your domain during transfers, registrar changes, and DNS migrations with this step-by-step guide.",false,"md",[195,197],{"question":136,"answer":196},"Most domain transfers complete in 5 to 7 days. Some registrars offer expedited transfers that complete within hours if both parties confirm quickly.",{"question":142,"answer":145},"green",null,{},true,"Secure your domain during transfers with this comprehensive checklist.","/blog/checklists/domain-transfer-checklist","[object Object]","HowTo",{"title":5,"description":191},{"loc":203},"blog/checklists/domain-transfer-checklist",[210],"Security Checklist","summary_large_image","B0mPzp9KhRtBvGCOlBq-1F1Zy1QFWFwiNfWrAetMkzE",1775843931712]