If you're new to Rocketspark:
You must have an active Rocketspark website trial to begin a domain transfer. If you haven't started your free trial yet, set one up here first. Once your trial is active, you can initiate the transfer during the Upgrade process. If you have an existing domain name when you join Rocketspark, you can transfer it to us when you upgrade to one of our plans and we’ll take care of the annual renewal. The domain name remains in your ownership but we take care of the billing and technical details. Simple!
If you're already a Rocketspark customer:
If you're already a Rocketspark customer, you can initiate a transfer for a new domain through your existing Dashboard by following our How to transfer guide.
Supported domain extensions:
GLOBAL .com, .net, .org, .us, .info
NZ .co.nz, .nz, .net.nz, .org.nz
AU .com.au, .org.au, .net.au, .asn.au
UK .co.uk, .me.uk, .org.uk, .uk
ZA .co.za, .net.za, .org.za, .web.za
Domain extensions outside of this list must be self-hosted and registered by your own registrar. See our guide on how to manage your own domain name.
Don't Panic if you don't have all the details ready during the upgrade process as you can resume the transfer process at any time.
Currently hosted with GoDaddy?
Please make sure you unlock your domain name to allow the transfer to take place. Here's a helpful support guide on how to unlock your domain at GoDaddy. If you have also purchased their protected registration service (this is where your contact information is made private from public viewing), this will also need to be disabled. Here's how to disable your protected registration service within your GoDaddy account.
How do I transfer a .NZ domain name to Rocketspark
We accept .co.nz, .nz, .net.nz, .org.nz
- Upgrade your Rocketspark website from your free trial and choose the Existing domain option after you enter your domain name choose the Transfer option.
- Contact your current domain name provider and ask them for a backup of your DNS records and your transfer code. Alternatively, you may have access to your current domain’s admin panel you should be able to get the transfer code on that panel and take a screenshot of your DNS records there.
- Update/Check the admin contact or registrant contact on your domain name to an email address you have access to, a confirmation email will be sent to this email address during the transfer process.
- Complete all the steps in the Transfer Process and click Begin Transfer.
- You will receive transfer progress updates by email including when the transfer is complete.
We will initiate the domain name transfer which can take up to 48 hours but we have seen it happen within a few hours.
How do I transfer a .UK domain name to Rocketspark?
We accept .co.uk, .me.uk, .org.uk, .uk
- Upgrade your Rocketspark website from your free trial and choose the Existing domain option after you enter your domain name choose the Transfer option.
- Contact your current domain provider, Update/Check the admin contact or registrant contact on your domain name to an email address you have access to, a confirmation email will be sent to this email address during the transfer process.
- Make sure you get a backup of your current DNS records - either ask your current host or take screenshots of your control panel DNS settings if you have access.
- Change your UK domain name's IPS TAG to TUCOWS-CA (uppercase). The TAG is a unique identifier that identifies our account with the UK Registry and allows us to transfer the domain name. You may need to unlock the domain before you can change the TAG to TUCOWS-CA. Most domain name registrars will let you do this in the online control panel for your domain.
- Complete all the steps in the Transfer Process and click Begin Transfer.
- A confirmation email will be sent to the current admin contact (i.e you or the person who registered the domain for you). Click the link in the email confirming you wish to transfer.
- You will receive transfer progress updates by email including when the transfer is complete.
The UK domain transfer process can take up to 72 hours but we have seen it happen within a few hours.
How do I transfer a .AU .ZA or .COM?
We accept .com, .net, .org, .us, .info, .com.au, .org.au, .net.au, .asn.au, .co.za, .net.za, .org.za, .web.za
- Upgrade your Rocketspark website from your free trial and choose the Existing domain option after you enter your domain name choose the Transfer option.
- Contact your current domain name provider and ask them for your Authorisation Key (Auth Key), also called an EPP code. If you have access to your current domain’s admin panel you should be able to get the Auth Key on that panel.
- Update/Check the admin contact or registrant contact on your domain name to an email address you have access to, a confirmation email will be sent to this email address during the transfer process.
- Make sure your domain is unlocked and privacy protection is disabled (if this is an option) and you get a back up of your current DNS records - either ask your current host or take screenshots of your control panel DNS settings if you have access.
- Complete all the steps in the Transfer Process and click Begin Transfer.
- A confirmation email will be sent to the current admin contact (i.e you or the person who registered the domain for you). Click the link in the email confirming you wish to transfer. Depending on your domain type, you may need to enter your Authorisation code/key at this point.
- Once we receive confirmation of transfer to us we will connect the domain to your website and confirm by email that the transfer is complete.
- Once the transfer is complete, you will receive an email to verify your domain. This only applies to all gTLDs (Global Top Level Domains) - .com, .net, .org, .us, .info. There is a 15 day window during which you have to verify. If you missed the 15 day period and failed to complete the verification process, your domain name will be suspended. This is required to ensure that the domain records are complete and up to date and that the domain owners remain accountable. You can follow this guide if your domain has been suspended.
.AU domain name transfers can take 2 business days
.COM & .ZA domain name transfers can take 5 - 10 days to complete.
Global top-level domains (gTLD) like .com & .net, cannot be transferred within a 60 day grace period after purchase. If you have purchased a gTLD within the last 60 days please contact us and we will help you connect your domain to your Rocketspark website with your existing domain name provider.
Other domain types
If your domain is different from any of the options above you will need to self-host your domain name. See our guide on how to manage your own domain name.
Enable SSL / HTTPS on your website
Once your transfer completes, Rocketspark will attempt to enable SSL on your domain name.
Rocketspark provides a free SSL option. Please follow our setup guide here for more information.
Please allow up to 24 hours for the SSL certificate to fully enable.
If you have any questions at all, please reach out to our support team and they will help you out. How do I contact Rocketspark for support?