How to Transfer Your Domain to SternHost (Step-by-Step)

Moving your domain to SternHost keeps your domain, hosting and email in one account, with one renewal date and one support team. A transfer doesn't take your website or email offline, as long as you follow the steps below in order.

This guide covers what to do at your current registrar first, how to place the transfer at SternHost, and what happens afterwards.

Before you start: check your domain is ready

A transfer will fail if any of these aren't in place. Log in to your current registrar (the company your domain is registered with now) and check:

1. The domain is unlocked. Look for "Registrar Lock", "Transfer Lock" or "Domain Lock" and turn it off.
2. The contact email is correct. The domain owner (registrant) email must be one you can access, because transfer approval messages are sent there.
3. Privacy protection is off, if your registrar requires it. Some registrars block transfer emails while WHOIS privacy is on.
4. The domain isn't too new. Most extensions, including .com, .net and .org, can't be transferred within 60 days of registration or a previous transfer.
5. The domain hasn't expired. Renew it first if it's expired or very close to expiry.

Step 1: Get your authorization (EPP) code

The authorization code works like a password for your domain. Registrars call it the EPP code, auth code or transfer code.

• At your current registrar, open the domain's settings and look for Get EPP Code, Authorization Code or Transfer Out.
• Some registrars show it on screen; others email it to the domain owner.
• Copy it exactly. It is case-sensitive and often contains symbols.

If your web designer or a previous agency registered the domain for you, ask them for the code. The domain should be registered in your name or your company's name.

Step 2: Place the transfer order at SternHost

1. Go to the domain transfer page.
2. In Domain Name, type your domain (for example, yourbusiness.com).
3. In Authorization Code, paste the EPP code from Step 1.
4. Click to add the transfer to your cart, then continue to Checkout.
5. Log in to your SternHost account (or create one), confirm your details and pay the invoice.

For most extensions, the transfer fee includes a one-year renewal, so you don't lose the time you've already paid for. The transfer page notes that certain extensions and recently renewed domains are excluded.

Step 3: Approve the transfer

After payment, the transfer request is sent to your current registrar.

• Check the domain owner's email (including spam) for a message asking you to approve or confirm the transfer, and approve it.
• Some registrars also let you approve the transfer early from their dashboard, which speeds things up.
• For .com, .net and similar extensions, transfers usually complete within 5 to 7 days. If nobody approves or rejects, most complete automatically at the end of that period.

Step 4: After the transfer completes

• Your domain will appear under Domains → My Domains in your SternHost client area.
• Nameservers stay the same after a transfer, so your website and email keep working as before.
• If you're also moving your website to SternHost hosting, update your nameservers to SternHost's. See Our nameservers and Pointing Your Domain to SternHost.
• Turn on auto-renew so the domain never expires by accident.

Transferring a .ng or .com.ng domain

Nigerian domains (.ng, .com.ng, .org.ng and others) are managed by NiRA and also need an authorization code from your current registrar. Ask your current registrar for the code and confirm that the registrant details match your name or business, then follow the same steps above.

Common transfer problems

Need help?

If your transfer is stuck or you're not sure where to find your EPP code, open a support ticket with your domain name and the name of your current registrar, and our team will help you complete it.