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How to Transfer Domains to Spaceship: Complete Guide (2026)

Updated: January 2026 • 8 min read
~30 min
Typical transfer time
$9.68
.com transfer cost
+1 Year
Added to registration

Transferring domains sounds scary, but it's actually straightforward. This guide walks you through moving any domain to Spaceship—whether you're coming from GoDaddy, Namecheap, Squarespace, or anywhere else. Most transfers complete in under an hour.

Before You Start: Quick Checklist

  • Domain is at least 60 days old (ICANN requirement)
  • Domain hasn't been transferred in the last 60 days
  • Domain is not expired (or recently renewed after expiration—wait 45 days)
  • You have access to the registrant email address
  • Created a Spaceship account

Step 1: Unlock Your Domain

Domains are "locked" by default to prevent unauthorized transfers. You need to unlock before transferring.

How to unlock at major registrars:

GoDaddy
My Products → Domain → Domain Settings → Domain Lock → Turn Off
Namecheap
Domain List → Manage → Domain tab → Domain Lock toggle
Squarespace (Google Domains)
Domains → Your Domain → Security → Transfer Lock → Disable
Porkbun
Domain Management → Details → Unlock Domain

Step 2: Get Your Authorization Code

The authorization code (also called EPP code, auth code, or transfer key) proves you own the domain. It's like a password for transfers.

⚠️ Important

Auth codes are case-sensitive and usually expire after 7-30 days. Get it right before initiating the transfer at Spaceship.

Where to find your auth code:

GoDaddy
Domain Settings → Transfer domain away from GoDaddy → Continue → Email authorization code
Namecheap
Domain List → Manage → Sharing & Transfer → Auth Code → Toggle on to see code
Squarespace
Domains → Your Domain → Transfer Away → Get Code
Porkbun
Domain Management → Details → Authorization Code → Get Code

Step 3: Initiate Transfer at Spaceship

  1. Go to Spaceship.com and log in
  2. Click Transfer in the navigation
  3. Enter your domain name(s)—you can transfer multiple at once
  4. Enter the authorization code for each domain
  5. Review pricing and click Continue to Cart
  6. Complete payment (the transfer fee includes 1 year added to your registration)

Step 4: Approve the Transfer

After initiating the transfer, two things happen:

1
Spaceship sends verification email

Check your Spaceship account email. Click the verification link.

2
Old registrar sends approval request

Check your registrant email (the email on the domain's WHOIS). Approve the transfer to speed things up.

If you don't approve manually, most transfers auto-complete after 5 days. Approving speeds this to 30 minutes - 24 hours.

Step 5: Avoid Downtime (DNS Setup)

This is where most people mess up. When your domain transfers, it may stop pointing to your website if you were using your old registrar's nameservers.

✅ Best Practice

Before transferring, either:

  • Option A: Point your domain to external nameservers (Cloudflare, your host's NS) before transferring. These won't change during transfer.
  • Option B: Use Spaceship's Transfer Manager after initiating—it helps you set up DNS records at Spaceship before the transfer completes.

Step 6: Verify Everything Works

After the transfer completes:

  • Check your website loads correctly
  • Test email if you have email on the domain
  • Verify the new expiration date (should be +1 year from your previous expiration)
  • Enable registrar lock in Spaceship for security

Common Issues & Fixes

"Transfer was rejected"

Usually means the auth code was wrong (check case sensitivity) or the domain is still locked. Double-check both and try again.

"Domain not eligible for transfer"

Domain is either too new (under 60 days), recently transferred, or recently renewed after expiration. Wait and try again.

"Website went down after transfer"

DNS wasn't set up at Spaceship. Log into Spaceship, go to DNS settings, and add your records (or point to your host's nameservers).

"Transfer is stuck/pending"

Check both your Spaceship email and registrant email for approval requests. Not approving just means it takes 5 days instead of 30 minutes.

Bonus: Free Spacemail with Transfers

When you transfer a domain to Spaceship, you get a promo code for 1 year of Spacemail Pro free. That's a 5GB professional email mailbox with your domain.

Check your email after the transfer completes—the promo code will be there.

Transfer Costs by TLD

Extension Transfer Cost Year Added
.com $9.68 +1 year
.net $12.68 +1 year
.org $11.98 +1 year
.io $46.58 +1 year
.ai $98.00 +2 years
.co.uk $9.58 No year added

Note: UK domains (.uk, .co.uk) don't add a year on transfer—this is a registry policy, not Spaceship's.

Ready to Transfer?

Start saving on renewals today. Most transfers complete in under an hour, and you get a free year added to your registration.

Start Transfer at Spaceship
Affiliate Disclosure

We earn a commission when you transfer through our link—at no extra cost to you. We've transferred dozens of our own domains to Spaceship and genuinely recommend them. Direct link: spaceship.sjv.io/QjVbn3