How to Transfer a .co.uk or .uk Domain Name

What Does a UK Domain Transfer Mean?

A transfer can mean moving a domain from one registrar to another, changing the registrant, or both.

These are related but distinct actions. Moving the registrar changes the company that manages the domain. Changing the registrant changes who has legal control of it.

Understanding which change is required helps prevent mistakes.

Who Manages .uk Domains?

The .uk namespace is operated by Nominet, the official registry for .uk domain names. Registrars manage domains on behalf of registrants and use an IPS tag to identify the registrar responsible for a domain.

When a domain moves between registrars, its IPS tag is changed to the tag used by the new registrar. Our guide to what an IPS tag is and how to change it explains this part of the process in more detail.

The exact customer-facing steps depend on the two providers.

Before You Start

Confirm the full domain name, current registrar, new registrar and current registrant.

Make sure you can access the email address and account used for domain administration.

Record the current nameservers and DNS settings, especially if the website and email are working. It helps to understand the difference between the domain, website, hosting and DNS before making changes.

Transferring Between Registrars

Open an account with the new registrar and find its IPS tag. The tag must be copied exactly.

Ask the current registrar to change the domain’s IPS tag, normally through its control panel or support service.

Once the change is processed, the domain should appear in the new registrar account or become available to claim there, depending on the provider’s procedure.

Changing the Registrant

A change of registrant transfers the domain from one person or organisation to another.

This may be needed after a domain sale, company reorganisation or correction of ownership records.

Follow the registrar or Nominet process carefully and ensure both parties understand when control and responsibility change.

Will the Website Go Offline?

A registrar transfer does not automatically require a website outage.

If the nameservers and DNS records remain unchanged, the domain can continue pointing to the same website and email services.

Problems occur when DNS settings are reset, omitted or changed before replacement services are ready.

Will Email Stop Working?

Email continues to work if the necessary DNS records remain in place and the email service itself is unchanged.

Record the MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC settings before the transfer. Check them after the domain appears at the new registrar.

If the email provider is also changing, plan that migration separately. The steps are covered in our guide to creating professional email using your domain.

How to Find the Correct IPS Tag

The new registrar should publish its IPS tag in its transfer instructions or control panel.

Do not guess the tag or copy it from an unofficial source. An incorrect tag can send the domain to the wrong provider or delay the transfer.

Where the registrar uses several tags, confirm which one applies to your account.

What if the Current Registrar Will Not Change the Tag?

Check that the account is in good standing and that any identity or security checks have been completed.

Ask the registrar to explain the reason for the delay. In some circumstances, Nominet provides a direct process for changing the registrar.

Keep written records of requests and responses.

Transferring a Domain After a Sale

Use a secure transaction process and agree in advance which registrar will receive the domain. See how buying an existing domain name works for the wider payment, due-diligence and transfer process.

The buyer should create the receiving account and supply the correct IPS tag. The seller should not change the tag until the payment process requires it.

After transfer, the buyer should update security, renewal and registrant details. Our domain security guide provides a practical post-transfer checklist.

Check the Domain After Transfer

Confirm that the domain is visible in the new account and that the registrant details are correct.

Review the nameservers, DNS records, renewal date, automatic-renewal setting and account recovery information.

Test the website and send email both to and from the domain.

Common Transfer Mistakes

Common errors include using the wrong IPS tag, losing account access, assuming the website files move with the domain and failing to preserve DNS records.

A domain transfer does not normally copy hosting, website content or email mailboxes.

Treat each service as a separate component and plan accordingly.

How Long Does a Transfer Take?

The tag change itself can be quick, but the full process depends on the registrars and any ownership checks.

Allow extra time when a domain sale, registrant change or business-critical migration is involved.

Do not leave the transfer until immediately before a website launch or renewal deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an authorisation code for a .co.uk domain?

UK domains generally use the IPS tag system rather than the transfer code commonly used by some other extensions.

Does changing the IPS tag change ownership?

Not by itself. It changes the registrar responsible for the domain.

Can my web designer transfer the domain?

They can assist, but the business should understand the process and retain appropriate control.

Should I cancel the old registrar account immediately?

Wait until the transfer and all related services have been checked.

Summary

To transfer a .co.uk or .uk domain between registrars, obtain the new registrar’s exact IPS tag and arrange for the current registrar to apply it.

Preserve the DNS settings when the website and email should continue unchanged.

After transfer, verify ownership, services, security and renewal arrangements. For Zycon-specific transfer and renewal information, see our frequently asked questions.