Overview

This article provides the information you need to transfer a domain from another registrar to ViniHost.

Table of Contents

• Transferring a Domain
• Ensuring a Smooth Transfer
• Transferring a Non-United States Domain
• Initiating the Domain Transfer
• What to Do If a Domain Transfer Is Unsuccessful

Transferring a Domain

If you already have a domain name registered with another web hosting company or domain registrar, you can transfer it to ViniHost. When you transfer a domain, its billing and administration also move to ViniHost.

You cannot transfer a domain to ViniHost if you do not own the domain. Also, ViniHost cannot transfer some types of top-level domains (particularly international domains). However, even if we cannot transfer the domain, you can still use ViniHost as your hosting provider. Instead of transferring the entire domain, you can update the domain's name server settings to point to ViniHost.

Ensuring a Smooth Transfer

You can start the domain transfer process when you first sign up as an ViniHost customer, or at a later time as an existing customer. To ensure the transfer process goes as smoothly as possible:

• The domain must be unlocked. If you need assistance unlocking your domain, contact the domain's current registrar.
• The domain's contact information must be current. A domain name record contains an Administrative Contact and a Technical Contact. Both of these contacts can be the same person, but at least one of them should be you. When a domain transfer request is initiated, the Administrative Contact and Technical Contact are notified by e-mail.
• If your domain has WHOIS privacy protection enabled, you should temporarily disable it before the migration to ensure you receive the domain transfer verification e-mail message.
• You must obtain an EPP (Extensible Provisioning Protocol) code from the current registrar or hosting company. This code is an identifying number for the domain that indicates you are authorized to transfer it. If you are unsure what your EPP code is, contact the domain's current registrar.
• If you have a reseller, VPS, or dedicated server account, you can use your own custom name servers or ViniHost's name servers. Shared web hosting customers should use ViniHost's name servers.

When you initiate the domain transfer process, ViniHost sends a domain transfer request to the domain's Administrative and Technical contacts. The time to complete the domain transfer depends largely on how quickly these contacts approve the transfer request, which may take 2 to 4 days.

While a domain transfer is in progress, you cannot change the domain's nameservers until the transfer is complete. Therefore, we recommend changing the nameserver settings before starting a domain transfer.

Transferring a Non-United States Domain

If you have a non-United States domain name (such as .co.uk or .org.uk), some additional steps may be required to transfer the domain. For example, .uk domain transfers are a “push and pull” process. You must initiate a transfer request with ViniHost and submit a request to the losing (current) registrar to retag the domain name to the IPS tag ENOM.

For other non-United States domain names, please contact your registrar for information about how to transfer your domain.

Initiating the Domain Transfer

To begin the domain transfer process, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the Customer Portal.
2. On the menu bar, click Domains, and then click TRANSFER DOMAINS TO US.
3. In the text box, type the name of the domain that you want to transfer, and then click Transfer.
4. Click Continue.
5. On the Domains Configuration page, type the EPP code and select the options you want.
6. Click Continue. The Review & Checkout page appears.
7. Click Checkout. If you have an ViniHost account and are logged in, the personal and billing information appears automatically. Otherwise, complete the fields.
8. Under Payment Details, select the payment method that you want to use.
9. Select the I have read and agree to the Terms of Service check box.
10. Click Complete Order.

What to Do If a Domain Transfer Is Unsuccessful

If a domain transfer is unsuccessful, you have two options:

• You can have ViniHost attempt to transfer the domain again by opening a support ticket with the transfer request at Contact Support.
• Alternatively, you can update the domain's name server settings to point to ViniHost's name servers. ViniHost will refund your domain transfer payment.

Transfer Your Domain Name

For more information on transferring domains, see the related articles below.