To claim and use a domain name for your website online, you have to register the domain and pay the applicable fees to one of the many domain registrar services available.
Some examples of domain registrars include:
- GoDaddy
- Squarespace
- Namecheap
- Ionos by 1&1
- Name.com
- Bluehost
- Siteground
- Cloudflare
As with all businesses, some registrars are better than others. Having worked with a wide variety of domain registrars, we recommend Cloudflare as the best service to register your domain.
It’s important to note that you must use Cloudflare for DNS record management in order to use their domain registration system.
To move your DNS record management to Cloudflare before transferring your domain, please follow the directions in our article: How to transfer your DNS management to Cloudflare first.
*Don’t want to use Cloudflare for your DNS? We recommend Namecheap or Hover as reputable, not-insanely-expensive alternative registrars.
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If you’re satisfied with your current registrar and your domain renewal date is a way out, we don’t recommend switching just to switch. The process is a bit intricate, so we generally recommend switching only if your current registrar has specific issues or is costly and you’re looking to save.
Why we recommend Cloudflare as a domain registrar
As a domain registrar, Cloudflare offers great stability, ease-of-use, and services without extra add-on fees or inflated renewal costs. Their registration costs are also generally much lower than most as they offer fees at cost rather than adding any markup. The last time I moved one of my domains, the cost was ¼ of what it was on my original registrar!
So, if you’re ready to change domain registrars because your current service isn’t meeting your needs or your renewal is looming, here’s how to transfer your domain to Cloudflare registration.
A few things to know about transferring your domain:
- ICANN rules prohibit a domain from being transferred if it has been registered or previously transferred within the last 60 days or if the WHOIS Registrant contact information was modified in the last 60 days (even if redacted).
- Your account at your current registrar must be active. If your domain has expired, you may be able to transfer it. If the domain is in the
RedemptionPeriodyou will likely need to restore the domain first before the transfer can proceed. - If your domain renewal date is approaching quickly, you may want to renew it if it is within 15 days of expiration as the transfer process can take some time.
Transfer your domain to Cloudflare
As long as your DNS record management is already with Cloudflare, you can start the domain transfer process, moving your domain registration from your existing registrar to Cloudflare. The next steps will need to mainly be done in your current registrar account and will vary by provider.
Here are links for detailed transfer instructions from some of the most popular registrars:
The general steps include:
- Login to your registrar account.
- Unlock the domain.
- Remove WHOIS Privacy.
- Request a transfer authorization code (sometimes called the EPP code).
Once you have your authorization code:
Initiate your transfer to Cloudflare
- Log into your Cloudflare account.
- In the sidebar menu, click on Domain Registration > Transfer Domains.
- Your domain should be listed as available to transfer along with the cost to renew the domain registration (cost may vary based on domain type). Select the domain to transfer and click the Confirm Domains button to continue.
- Next, you’ll be asked to enter the authorization code you got from your current registrar. Enter the code and click the Confirm and Proceed button.
- In the final step, you’ll need to enter the contact information for the domain registration, including the name, address, phone number, as well as your payment information. Once you’ve entered your details, click the Confirm and Finalize Transfer button.
- Finally, you’ll receive a Your transfers are now underway! screen with a notice that the process can take up to 5 days (or sometimes more). Most registrars will send an email within 1-24 hours about the cancelation. It will often say “Click this link if you want to cancel the transfer.” Once you click through, you can then APPROVE the transfer, and it should go through within an hour. That dramatically speeds up the 5 day wait.
One Last Step, I Promise!
Once your transfer is completed, we recommend you enable DNS Security or DNSSEC on your newly transferred domain. For details on how to do this, please visit the Cloudflare documentation.
WHOIS Privacy is included and automatically enabled on all Cloudflare registered domains for free. 🙌
You did it!
Your website domain registration has now been transferred to Cloudflare where you’ll benefit from stable infrastructure, a modern interface, and affordable pricing for your domain.
