Transfer a domain to Format

Yearly Pro, Pro Plus and Professional Bundle Plan members can transfer their existing domain to Format and get an additional year added on free. Regular cost is US$20 per year. Any time remaining from your previous registrar will be applied as free time at the end of your first year.

This is available for domain names ending:  .com , .net, .org, .ca, .xyz and .me 

It is not possible to transfer domains that have different TLD's (Top Level Domains).

WARNING: If you have email hosting, an existing Google Workspace account or other domain connections, please contact us first via in-app chat (icon lower-right corner) because transferring a domain will disconnect any email records from the DNS Zone and we do not want you to lose any existing (email) services.

Get your current domain's transfer authorization code

Log in to your current domain host registrars control panel and copy the authorization Code for your domain.

Domain hosts (registrars) may name this differently but you are looking for a code possibly identified as EPP Code  , auth code or  transfer keys 

You will also need to Unlock Domain  to allow the transfer to work.

Example of Transfer Authorization Code and Domain Unlocking

Above is an example of how your domain host may display:

1. Transfer Authorization Code (select and copy for accuracy)

2. Domain Lock (unlocked)

Once you have this code, go to your Format Account.

Transfer a Domain

1. Tap 'Settings' from left sidebar

2. Tap 'Domain and Email'

3. Go to 'Transfer a Domain' area and enter the 'Domain to be Transferred'

4. Tap 'Transfer'

5. You can also 'Upgrade To Transfer Your Domain Free' if this option is available.

Enter the authorization code

1. Displaying domain name you are transferring 

2. Enter 'Authorization Code' from your current domain host

3. Ensure domain shows as being unlocked at your current domain host

4. Tap 'Continue'

Transfer details

1. Domain name being transferred

2. Authorization Code

3. Enter your name, this is required and must be a correct, legal name

4. Add your address details accurately

5. Add your email address and phone number. Please use an email address that is not associated with this domain name. You may need to verify this email within 14 days of registration.

6. Read the legal fine print

7. Read and agree to our Terms of Service. By clicking 'Complete Purchase' you are agreeing to our Terms of Service. This is a requirement for registering a domain

8. View more on our Domain Pricing page

9. 'Complete Purchase' after you have re-checked all details are correct

10. Tap 'Next'

Transfer Confirmation

1. Domain name being transferred

2. The transferring domain has an extra years registration additional to any remaining time period by Format.

3. Free for Pro Yearly, Pro Plus Yearly or Professional Bundle Yearly Plans. US$20 for Basic Yearly and Monthly plans. 

4. If you have email hosting, an existing Google Workspace account or other domain connections, please contact us with the necessary DNS Zone records so we can add on your behalf.

5. Tap 'Complete Transfer'

Transfer underway

1. If all information has been entered correctly you will see a message thanking you for transferring and advising the estimated time to transfer.

2. Tap 'Go to Domain Settings'

Domain Settings

1. Tap 'Domain & Email'

2. Transferring Domain name 

3. Status, this will show 'Needs Email Verification' but from experience, none is sent for verifying. Please allow up to 15 days for transfer to complete (it is usually around 1-2 days).

If you have concerns about how long this may be taking, please reach us on our live chat or email us at info@format.com We can check the progress and advise any steps that may need to be taken.