Domain Transfers

• Transfer of Registrar is the process of moving the registration from one registrar to another
• Internal Transfer is when a domain is transferred to a different contract under the same account or another account
• DNS Transfer is keeping the domain registration with the current registrar and points the DNS to another registrar
• TRANSFER_LOSE - Whether or not it's an Internal or external transfer, if the selected domain from this contract was requested to be transferred anyway
• TRANSFER_WIN - Whether or not it's an Internal or transfer of Registrar, if the contract owner of this particular contract requested that a domain is added to the current contract
• Requirements to Transfer a Domain (GTLD):

  • Domain must be registered for at least 60 days
  • Contact details (email addresses) for your domain must be up to date
  • Domain in public registration
  • Domain must be unlocked
  • Authorization Code
• How to Transfer a Domain to IONOS (New Customer):

  • Open the page IONOS Domains > Domain Transfer

  1. US: ionos.com/domains/domain-transfer
  2. UK: ionos.co.uk/domains/domain-transfer
• How to Transfer a Domain to IONOS (Existing Customer):

  1. Login to IONOS and start the domain transfer in IONOS
  2. Open the Domains page
  3. Click Add Domain at the top right
• How to Transfer a Domain Away to Another Provider:

  • Domain must be registered for at least 60 days
  • Contact details (email addresses) for your domain must be up to date
  • Domain in public registration 
  • Domain must be unlocked
  • Authorization Code
• Domain Transfer Time Frame:

  • gTLD and nTLD: transfer takes a maximum of 5 to 6 business days
  • DNS Update: 24 hours
• Domain Transfer Status:

  • The domain is locked for transfer
  • Waiting for acknowledgement
  • Waiting for confirmation from current registrar
  • Waiting for IPS tag change (.uk domains) 
  • Transfer in progress
  • Incorrect Authorization Code
  • Acknowledged transfer
• Transferring a UK Domain to IONOS:

  • Registrant email address has to be updated
  • Customer should contact the current registrar to change IPS tag to 1AND1’, ‘1AND1-IONOS’ or ‘IONOS’
• An IPS tag, otherwise known as an Internet Provider Security tag, is a label that identifies domain registrars when administering domain name registration and DNS services.
• Transferring a UK Domain Away:

  • Registrant email address has to be updated
  • Change the IPS tag in IONOS Control Panel
  • Contact gaining registrar to initiate transfer
• UK Domain Transfer Time Frame should only take about 24 - 48 hours.
• Fast iKK - It is when a domain is transferred to a different contract/package under the same Customer ID
• iKK - It is when a domain is transferred to another IONOS account
• • An External Domain is a domain registered elsewhere but is using IONOS’ services like web hosting or email.
• Requirements Before Setting Up an External Domain:

  1. The domain must be registered with another registrar.
  2. The domain must have a resolving Name server.
  3. It is not added in any IONOS account as an external domain.
• External Domain Setup Guide:

  • Premium Anycast Name Server
  • IONOS Name Server
  • Domain Provider’s Existing Name Server
• Premium Anycast Name Server:

  • can only be selected if you have a DNS Pro feature
  • recommended if customer is hosting website and email with IONOS
  • setup is completed by entering Premium Anycast Name server with domain provider
• IONOS Name Server:

  • recommended if customer is hosting website and email with IONOS
  • setup is completed by entering IONOS Name server with domain provider
• Domain Provider’s Existing Name Server:

  • recommended if customer is only hosting website or email with IONOS
  • verification is completed when TXT record is entered with NS provider