How to Transfer a Domain from Bluehost in 7 Easy Steps

Suppose you’re looking to transfer a domain from Bluehost. In that case, this guide will provide step-by-step instructions for beginners or advanced users, including obtaining the authorization code, unlocking your domain at the current registrar, and considering ICANN’s policies. This comprehensive guide will provide step-by-step instructions for transferring your domain easily and confidently, ensuring you will find valuable insights.

This blog post covers essential topics such as obtaining the authorization code from Bluehost’s client area, and unlocking your domain at the current registrar. Additionally, we’ll discuss temporarily disabling Domain Privacy during transfers and updating registrant email addresses for smooth communication.

Things to Consider Before Transferring Your Domain Away from Bluehost

1. Before going further with the domain transfer, it is essential to know that when a domain name is transferred away, the name servers associated with your domain stay the same during the transfer from one registrar to the other. So, for example, if your domain name uses the default name servers of Bluehost, those name servers will be preserved during the transfer, and you won’t be able to change the name servers until the transfer is complete.
   This means that if you switched to another web hosting provider and your website was migrated already, before initiating a domain transfer, ensure that your domain name is pointed to the new provider’s name servers. As we previously mentioned – you won’t be able to change the name servers until the transfer is complete.
2. Domain Name Registrations and Web Hosting are separate services. The domain name transfer process will not automatically migrate your website. If you are a ChemiCloud customer and wish to transfer your website from Bluehost, please submit a migration request from your client area. Our migrations experts will move your existing sites and emails free of charge, seamlessly, and with zero downtime.
3. Transferring your domain name will include your domain renewal for another year. So, for instance, if your domain is due to expire on the 1st of January 2025, once the transfer is complete, the new expiration date will be the 1st of January 2026.
4. Ensure the domain is in the  ‘Active Period’ and not the ‘Redemption Grace Period’ or ‘Pending Delete’ period.

Preps for Transferring a Domain Away from Bluehost

Before initiating the transfer process at the new registrar, essential steps must be taken at the existing domain registrar. These include obtaining your domain’s authorization code (also known as EPP or auth code), unlocking the domain at your current registrar, ensuring 60 days have passed since initial registration, temporarily disabling privacy protection features during the transfer period, and updating your admin email address.

Step 1: Ensuring 60 Days Have Passed Since Initial Registration

ICANN’s Transfer Policy mandates that domains must be registered for at least 60 days before they can be transferred. This rule applies to new registrations and any recent transfers or updates to domain registrant information.

Step 2: Obtaining Domain EPP Code from Bluehost

To transfer a domain from Bluehost, you must first obtain an authorization code (Secret Key, EPP or auth code). ICANN’s transfer policy requires this unique identifier and is a security measure to prevent unauthorized transfers.

1) Log in to your Bluehost account, click Domains from the left side, locate your domain in the product listing, click the downward-facing triangle next to Manage, then click Security.

2) On the security page, at the bottom of the page, you’ll find the Transfer Authorization / EPP Code section. Choose your primary email address from the menu and click Send Code to receive your EPP Transfer code.

3) Your Authorization or EPP Code will be sent to your Bluehost account’s Admin Email Contact on file.

Note: Auth/EPP codes are required for all .com, .net, .org, .us, .biz, .info, .me, .co, .io, .ca, .tv, .in, .mobi, .cc, .pe, .com.pe, .net.pe, .org.pe, .tech, .top, .party, .loan, .faith and other new gTLD domains. If you cannot request an EPP code in an account with your Registrar, contact them and ask them to provide it.
4) Copy the EPP Key to your clipboard and paste it into a Notepad or text editor file for safekeeping. You can use this code at the new registrar to transfer the domain away from Bluehost.

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Step 3: Unlocking Your Domain at Bluehost

The domain must be unlocked at its current registrar for a successful domain transfer. To disable the domain locking for your domain with Bluehost, follow the steps below: 

1) Log in to your Bluehost account, click Domains from the left side, locate your domain in the product listing, click the downward-facing triangle next to Manage, then click Security.

2) On the security page, uncheck the Transfer Lock option:

That’s it; you have now disabled the registrar lock for your domain. The changes may take a few minutes to be reflected on public WHOIS.

Step 4: Disabling Domain WHOIS Privacy Feature at Bluehost

If you have enabled privacy protection features on your domain, such as WHOIS privacy or ID Protect, these must be temporarily disabled during the transfer process.

To do this in Bluehost, please follow the steps below:

1) Log in to your Bluehost account, click Domains from the left side, locate your domain in the product listing, click the downward-facing triangle next to Manage, then click Security.

2) On the security page, uncheck the Domain Privacy option:

That’s it; whois privacy protection is now disabled for your domain name. The changes may take a few minutes to be reflected on public WHOIS.

Step 5: Ensuring Registrant’s Email Address Is up-to-Date

Lastly, ensure that your registrant email address is up-to-date with Bluehost. This will help facilitate communication between both parties during the domain transfer process. In case of any issues or additional actions required by either registrar, an accurate email address will expedite the resolution.

1) Log in to your Bluehost account, click Domains from the left side, locate your domain in the product listing, click the downward-facing triangle next to Manage, then click Contact Info.

2) Check on the domain registrant email address and make sure that you have access to it. 

Once you have prepared your domain for transfer, it is time to initiate the process from the new domain registrar. 

Step 6: Initiate the Transfer Request at the New Registrar

Once you have the EPP code and have completed the previous steps, you can initiate the transfer request at the new registrar. This can usually be done through their website or by contacting their customer support team.

Step 7: Monitor the Domain Transfer Process

After initiating the transfer request, you must monitor the process to ensure everything goes smoothly. Keep an eye out for emails from both registrars and complete any required actions promptly.

Transferring a domain can take up to 7 days to a couple of weeks, depending on various factors such as the response times of involved parties and specific TLD requirements. If you’re transferring a UK domain, there may be additional steps you need to take. Make sure you’re familiar with specific requirements for your domain extension.

If you’re transferring a currently locked domain, you’ll need to unlock it in your Bluehost account before initiating the transfer request. Additionally, if your domain uses Bluehost’s nameservers, you’ll need to update the DNS settings to the new host’s nameservers after the transfer.

It’s important to note that if your domain is within 60 days of initial registration or a previous transfer, you won’t be able to transfer it. 

Transferring a domain from Bluehost to another registrar can be straightforward if you follow the correct steps and ensure compliance with ICANN rules. Some registrars even offer free domain transfer when you transfer your domain to them, so it’s worth considering your options before making a decision.

That’s it! You know how to transfer your domain away from Bluehost, whether with another company or us. (But we are pretty awesome, 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟).

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You’ll get more than a free domain transfer:

• Great renewal rates: When renewing your domain, you’ll never have to worry about breaking the bank.
• User-friendly domain management: Manage your domain with an easy-to-use control panel and dashboard.
• Industry-leading Customer Support – Day or night, our 24/7 happiness engineers are here to offer struggle-free support when you need it.

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Transferring a Domain Transfer from Bluehost to ChemiCloud

Transferring your domain registration from Bluehost to ChemiCloud is a straightforward process. Follow these step-by-step instructions to ensure a smooth transition:

We’ll assume that you have unlocked the domain at its current registrar and have the authorization code (sometimes called an EPP key) from Bluehost.

Step 1

Head to our Domain Transfer page, enter the domain name you wish to transfer to ChemiCloud, and click the Search button. 

Step 2

Enter the domain Transfer Code (EPP) in the appropriate text field

2) Click the “Order Now“ button.

3) You will be asked if you require hosting as well. Click the “Continue“ button to finalize only the domain transfer without hosting.

Click the ‘Checkout‘ button to send your domain transfer request.

A domain name transfer can take up to seven (7) days. Once the domain name transfer is complete, you will receive a confirmation by email.

That’s it! You know how to transfer your domain away from Bluehost to ChemiCloud. 

Completing the Domain Transfer Process

Upon receiving confirmation that your domain has been successfully transferred from Bluehost or another provider to a new registrar, it’s time to complete the process by re-enabling any previously disabled privacy protection features and verifying DNS settings within the new control panel provided by them. This will ensure a smooth transition and allow you to manage all domains under one roof easily.

Verify DNS Settings Within the New Control Panel

The final step is ensuring your domain’s DNS settings are correctly configured within the new control panel.

If required changes have been made after the transfer (e.g., updating nameservers), give it time for DNS propagation before checking if your website is functioning correctly. Typically, DNS changes can take a few minutes to 48 hours for full propagation.

Once the transfer is complete and you’ve verified everything is functioning correctly, congratulations – you have successfully transferred your domain away from Bluehost. You have successfully transferred your domain from Bluehost or another provider to a new registrar and can now easily enjoy the benefits of managing all domains under one roof.

Troubleshooting Domain Transfer Issues

If you encounter any issues during the domain transfer process, it’s essential to contact the new registrar and Bluehost customer support team for assistance. They can help resolve common problems, such as authorization code errors or delays in the transfer timeline. In this section, we’ll discuss some steps you can take to troubleshoot domain transfer issues.

Contact Bluehost Customer Support If Needed

In case of any difficulties obtaining your authorization code or unlocking your domain at Bluehost, their customer support team is available 24/7 via live chat, phone, and email. Ensure you have all relevant details handy when reaching out to them, including your account username and domain name.

Besides contacting both registrars’ support teams if needed, here are a few additional tips that might help resolve common issues:

• Double-check Authorization Code: Ensure you’ve entered the correct authorization code provided by Bluehost when initiating the transfer-in request at the new registrar. Any typos could lead to an unsuccessful attempt.
• Verify Domain Status: Ensure your domain is not transfer-locked or under any other restrictions that might prevent the transfer process. You can check your domain’s status using a WHOIS lookup tool.
• Review ICANN’s Transfer Policy: Familiarize yourself with the ICANN transfer policy, which outlines rules and regulations governing all domain transfers.
• Monitor Emails Regularly: Keep an eye on emails from both new and old registrars, as they may contain important information or instructions related to the transfer process. 

These steps should help you troubleshoot the most common issues from Bluehost to a different domain registrar during the domain transfer process. Remember, both registrars’ customer support teams are always available for assistance.

Conclusion

Transferring a domain from Bluehost to another registrar can be daunting, but it can be done smoothly with the right steps. Here’s a recap on how to transfer a domain from Bluehost:

1. Obtain an authorization code from Bluehost’s control panel. The new registrar requires this code to initiate the transfer process.
2. Unlock the domain at your current registrar. This is usually done through the registrar’s control panel.
3. Consider any transfer restrictions that may apply to your domain. For example, some domains may have a 60-day transfer lock after registration or a previous transfer.
4. Temporarily disable domain privacy if it’s enabled. This ensures that the administrative email address associated with the domain is visible to the new registrar.
5. Update the administrative email address associated with the domain. This is important as the new registrar will send transfer-related emails to this address.
6. Initiate the transfer process through the new domain registrar’s control panel. This involves entering the authorization code and the new registrar’s information.
7. Monitor the progress of the transfer and resolve any potential issues that may arise.

It’s important to note that the transfer process may take up to 7 days to complete.

That’s it! You know how to transfer your domain away from Bluehost, whether with another company or us.