In today’s digital world, a domain name is much more than a website address. It’s a valuable asset, part of your brand, a source of customer trust — and even revenue. That’s why, when the time comes to transfer a domain to another person or company, it’s essential to do it properly — without risking ownership rights, data loss, or reputational damage.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the full process of domain transfer — from legal requirements to technical execution, as well as common mistakes that can cost online businesses dearly.

When do you need to transfer a domain?

There are many situations where a domain transfer becomes necessary. Common examples include:

  • Selling a website or online business — the most typical case. The buyer must gain full control of the entire project, including the domain name.
  • Domain registered by a developer or agency — many sites are registered by third parties and need to be handed over to the actual client later.
  • Change of legal entity — for instance, switching from sole proprietorship to a limited liability company.
  • Change of ownership or leadership — quite common in startups and small businesses.
  • Transfer under franchise or partnership agreements.

Regardless of the reason, always keep in mind: a domain name is not just a technical element — it’s a legally significant digital asset. Its transfer requires careful handling and the correct procedure.

Who is the legal owner of a domain?

Many mistakenly believe that the website owner is automatically the domain owner. That’s not always the case.

 Legally, the owner is the individual or entity listed in the domain’s contact information during registration. This data is usually stored by the registrar or made publicly available via WHOIS unless domain privacy is enabled.

Real-world example:
 A startup hires a freelancer to create a website. The developer registers the domain under their own name. A year later, the startup attracts an investor who requests proof of domain ownership. It turns out the developer is the legal owner. Without a proper domain transfer, the startup risks losing control of a key asset.

To avoid this, it’s best to register the domain in the name of the actual project owner from the start or initiate the transfer immediately after launch.

Legal aspects of domain transfer

A domain transfer is essentially the transfer of intellectual property rights. In some countries, domains can even be inherited or listed as intangible assets on financial reports.

In Ukraine, domains are not governed by a specific law, but:

  • certain domains (like .UA) can only be registered if you own a matching trademark;
  • for legal entities, it’s strongly recommended to sign a domain ownership transfer agreement;
  • if a company is liquidated, domains registered under it may be lost unless transferred in advance.

Tip: for business-critical domains, it’s advisable to have a signed transfer agreement or act of acceptance to avoid disputes or complications in the future.

How to prepare for a domain transfer

Transferring a domain involves more than just updating a name in a form. Here’s what to check first:

1. Confirm the domain is eligible for transfer

Many domains are locked for transfer for 60 days after registration or a previous transfer. Check this in your personal dashboard or with your registrar’s support team.

2. Unlock the domain

If the domain status is clientTransferProhibited, it must be unlocked to allow transfer.

3. Get the Auth/EPP code

This is a unique key used to authorize the domain transfer to another registrar. In RX-NAME, you can generate this code via your account or request it by email.

4. Update contact information

In many domains, transfer confirmation emails are sent to the registered owner’s email. If this email is outdated or inactive, the process may be delayed or blocked.

Ways to transfer a domain

Depending on the situation, there are three main transfer methods:

Option 1: Internal transfer between RX-NAME accounts

The fastest and most convenient way. You transfer the domain to another RX-NAME user without changing the registrar. Just provide the new owner’s account ID.

Advantages:

  • instant transfer;
  • DNS settings remain unchanged;
  • the registration term is preserved.

Option 2: Transfer to another registrar

If the new owner wants to manage the domain through a different provider:

  1. Share the Auth code;
  2. Ensure the domain is unlocked;
  3. Wait for confirmation from both parties.

Important: during external transfer, DNS settings, email, and SSL certificates may be reset.

Option 3: Update contact details without transfer

This is common when a business changes hands. You simply update:

  • owner name;
  • email and phone;
  • legal entity details (if applicable).

The domain remains with the current registrar, but the new owner gains full control.

What else should you consider?

Email access

Ensure that you or the new owner have access to the domain’s registered email address. This is where all critical notifications are sent: renewal reminders, transfer approvals, and security alerts.

SSL certificates

If the domain has an active SSL certificate, it might become invalid after contact or DNS changes. The new owner should reissue the certificate.

Website hosting

If the website is hosted on the previous owner’s server, arrange for migration. RX-NAME offers dedicated servers and migration assistance.

Common mistakes during domain transfers

  •  Forgetting to update contact info — confirmation emails go to the wrong address.
  •  Transferring the domain but not updating DNS — the site goes offline.
  •  No signed transfer agreement — ownership disputes arise later.
  •  Overlooking email, SSL, and server configuration — resulting in outages or security issues.

Conclusion

Transferring a domain is not just a formality — it’s a serious responsibility. A single mistake can result in losing control, revenue, or customer trust.

Here’s what we recommend:

  • choose a reliable registrar with expert support;
  • keep your contact information up to date;
  • store ownership records and legal agreements;
  • make sure associated services like email, SSL, and hosting are properly reconfigured.

With RX-NAME.UA, you’re getting more than domain registration — you get complete technical and legal support throughout the entire lifecycle, including transfers.

Need help transferring your domain?
 Contact the RX-NAME support team — we’ll guide you through the entire process quickly and securely.