Cloudflare Registrar: Transfer Domains -- Step-by-Step Guide

In this tutorial, you will learn how to transfer an existing domain from another registrar to Cloudflare Registrar, including how to obtain the EPP code, unlock the domain, and complete the transfer without downtime.

Why Transfer to Cloudflare Registrar

Most domain registrars charge more than wholesale prices and upsell privacy protection, email forwarding, and DNS management as paid add-ons. Cloudflare Registrar passes the wholesale cost directly to you with no markup and includes everything -- privacy, DNSSEC, and DNS management -- at no extra cost. If you already manage your DNS records through Cloudflare, transferring the registration consolidates your services under one provider, simplifying billing and eliminating the risk of a registrar locking your domain or imposing unexpected renewal fees. Cloudflare also provides free DDoS protection, SSL, and CDN alongside registration, making it the most cost-effective choice for domain owners who already use the platform.

Real-world use: A developer managing 15 client domains at GoDaddy paying $14.99 each with $2.99/month privacy per domain saves over $800/year by transferring all domains to Cloudflare Registrar at wholesale rates with free privacy.

Domain Transfer Flow

flowchart LR
    A[Current Registrar] --> B[Unlock Domain]
    B --> C[Get EPP Code]
    C --> D[Cloudflare Registrar]
    D --> E[Verify EPP Code]
    E --> F[Initiate Transfer]
    F --> G[Approve Transfer Email]
    G --> H[Transfer Complete]
    H --> I[Cloudflare Registrar]
    style D fill:#f90,color:#fff
    style I fill:#f90,color:#fff

Prerequisites

Before starting a domain transfer to Cloudflare Registrar, verify these conditions:

• The domain must be registered for at least 60 days (ICANN rule)
• The domain must be unlocked at your current registrar
• WHOIS privacy must be disabled temporarily (most registrars require this)
• You need the EPP (auth) code from your current registrar
• The domain must use Cloudflare nameservers (recommended but not required for transfer)
• Your domain must not be in the "redemption period" after expiration

Step 1: Prepare Your Domain at the Current Registrar

Log in to your current domain registrar and locate the domain management panel. You need to perform three actions.

# Step 1a: Disable registrar lock
# Navigate to Domain Settings > Registrar Lock
# Toggle: OFF

# Step 1b: Disable WHOIS privacy
# Navigate to Domain Settings > WHOIS Privacy
# Toggle: OFF (temporary, required for transfer email)

# Step 1c: Request EPP/Auth code
# Navigate to Domain Settings > EPP Code
# Copy the code (it looks like: ABC123def456GHI789)

Expected output: The registrar confirms the domain is unlocked and displays your EPP code. Save this code -- you will need it in step 2.

Step 2: Initiate Transfer in Cloudflare Dashboard

Log into your Cloudflare dashboard and navigate to Registrar > Transfer.

# In Cloudflare Dashboard:
# 1. Click "Registrar" in the left sidebar
# 2. Select the "Transfer" tab
# 3. Enter your domain name (example.com)
# 4. Paste the EPP code from step 1
# 5. Click "Review" and then "Confirm"

Expected output: Cloudflare validates the EPP code and displays the transfer cost (wholesale price plus one year renewal). After confirming, Cloudflare sends a transfer request to the current registrar.

Step 3: Approve the Transfer

The current registrar will send an email asking you to approve or reject the transfer request. You must act within 5-7 days or the transfer expires.

# Check email associated with your domain registration
# Look for email with subject: "Domain Transfer Request"
# Click the approval link in the email
# OR log into your current registrar and approve manually

# Expected timeline for .com transfers:
# - Initiation: Day 1
# - Approval email sent: Within 1 hour
# - Transfer processing: 5-7 days
# - Completion: Day 5-7

Expected output: The current registrar releases the domain. Cloudflare Registrar takes over as the registrar. The domain continues to work normally throughout.

Verifying Transfer Completion

After the transfer completes, verify the domain is now registered under Cloudflare Registrar.

whois example.com | grep -E "Registrar|Name Server"
# Expected output:
# Registrar: Cloudflare, Inc.
# Name Server: darl.ns.cloudflare.com
# Name Server: neil.ns.cloudflare.com

# Also verify via dig that DNS resolution is unaffected
dig A example.com +short
# Expected output:
# <your origin server IP address>

Common Errors

Practice Questions

1. Why must WHOIS privacy be disabled before initiating a domain transfer?
2. How long after registration must you wait before transferring a domain to another registrar?
3. What information do you need from your current registrar to start a transfer to Cloudflare Registrar?

FAQ

Summary

Transferring a domain to Cloudflare Registrar requires unlocking the domain, obtaining the EPP code, initiating the transfer in the Cloudflare dashboard, and approving the transfer email. The Process takes 5-7 days with no downtime. Once complete, you pay wholesale rates with free privacy, free DNSSEC, and integrated DNS management -- all in one account.

Built by the developers of Doda Browser, DodaZIP, and Durga Antivirus Pro -- security-first tools for the modern web.