Moving a domain: lessons from the 2022 transfer review

Moving a domain can mean changing its registration provider, its nameservers, or the server that runs the website. A customer might say “transfer my domain” while the support team hears a different job.

In June 2022, ICANN opened public comment on its Transfer Policy review. The review covered issues including authorization, transfer codes, and reasons for denying a transfer. Its stated goal was to improve domain portability so customers could choose a registrar that suited their service and pricing needs. This retrospective concerns that gTLD policy discussion; .RU and .SU have their own procedures.

Describe the change you want

If you only want to move the website, you may be able to keep the registration where it is and change the DNS settings. If you’re moving the registration too, ask the receiving provider to explain that process for your exact extension.

ICANN’s transfer FAQ also separates changing a hosting provider from moving a domain between registrars. Use the provider’s current instructions for any transfer codes, status checks, or waiting periods. Old instructions can outlive the policy they describe.

Write a short request with the domain name, the current provider, and the change you want. Mention whether the domain carries email, an existing website, or both. That gives support something concrete to work with.

Preserve what already works

Before a move, keep a copy of the DNS configuration and a list of services that use the domain. A website may be the obvious one, while email records, verification records, or a subdomain for an application are easier to overlook.

Agree who will check the result. Visiting the homepage is only one check; a team that uses domain email should also confirm that sending and receiving still work. Keep the old service active until the migration plan says it can close.

For a portfolio, handle a small group first and record the outcome before moving the rest. A consistent process saves more effort than a long list of domain names sent without instructions.

Plan privacy during the move

Ask how the receiving provider will handle the registrant identity, and when you choose any privacy or protection option. You shouldn’t have to reconstruct those decisions after placing the order.

xUID offers shared, private, and exclusive registration identities for .RU and .SU domains. Describe the current registration when asking about a move, including the identity arrangement you want to keep. If you manage client domains, the reseller program provides a separate route for bulk orders and support.