Transferring a domain to ITA Network Solutions is a straightforward process, but the exact steps depend on the domain extension, the current registrar, and whether the domain is also managing active services such as email, a website, or DNS records. Before you begin, it is important to confirm that the domain is eligible for transfer, unlock it at the current registrar, request the transfer authorization code, and make sure your DNS settings are ready so your website and mail stay online during the move.
This guide explains how to transfer a domain to ITA Network Solutions, what to check before starting, how long the process usually takes, and how to avoid common issues such as transfer failures, DNS interruptions, and locked domains. If you are moving hosting at the same time, the same preparation helps keep services stable while the registrar transfer completes.
What a domain transfer to ITA Network Solutions means
A domain transfer changes the registrar that manages your domain name. It does not automatically move your website files, email accounts, databases, or Plesk subscriptions unless you also change hosting or update DNS to point to a new platform. In most cases, the transfer only affects ownership and management of the domain record itself.
After the transfer, you can manage the domain from the ITA Network Solutions control panel, update nameservers, edit DNS records, renew the domain, and keep all domain-related settings in one place. If you already use managed hosting with Plesk or another control panel, transferring the domain can make administration easier by keeping domain registration and hosting management aligned.
Before you start the transfer
To avoid delays, check the following items before requesting the transfer.
Confirm that the domain is eligible
Most domains can be transferred only if they are past the initial registration period and are not within a recent transfer or update lock. Common rules apply to many generic domains such as .com, .net, and .org, as well as some country-code extensions. If the domain was registered or transferred recently, you may need to wait before initiating another transfer.
Unlock the domain at the current registrar
Domains are often protected with a registrar lock to prevent unauthorized changes. You need to disable this lock before ITA Network Solutions can request the transfer. In your current registrar account, look for settings such as:
- Domain lock
- Transfer lock
- Registrar lock
- Client transfer prohibited
Once the lock is removed, the domain should be transferable.
Get the authorization code
Most domain transfers require an authorization code, also called an EPP code, transfer code, or auth info. You usually obtain this from the current registrar’s domain management area or by contacting support. Keep this code safe and enter it exactly as provided when requested by ITA Network Solutions.
Make sure contact details are valid
The domain owner email address should be active and accessible, because transfer confirmation messages may be sent there. If the WHOIS contact information is outdated, update it before starting the transfer, but be aware that some registrars may apply a short transfer lock after a registrant contact change.
Check whether DNS changes are needed
If the domain currently points to an existing website, hosted email service, or Plesk server, review your DNS records before you begin. A registrar transfer does not usually change DNS by itself, but if you plan to move nameservers or hosting at the same time, prepare the records first so there is no unnecessary downtime.
Useful records to review include:
- A records for the website
- AAAA records for IPv6
- CNAME records for subdomains
- MX records for email delivery
- TXT records for SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and verification services
How to transfer a domain to ITA Network Solutions
The transfer process usually follows the same pattern: unlock the domain, obtain the authorization code, start the transfer, confirm the request, and wait for completion. Below is the standard workflow.
1. Sign in to your ITA Network Solutions account
Log in to your customer area or hosting control panel and go to the domain transfer section. If you manage multiple products, make sure you are working in the correct account and that the domain will be added to the right customer profile or subscription.
2. Start a new domain transfer request
Enter the domain name you want to move to ITA Network Solutions. Depending on the extension, the system may check whether the domain is eligible for transfer and may show any additional requirements, such as a code or a contact verification step.
3. Provide the authorization code
When prompted, enter the EPP or auth code from your current registrar. This code proves that you are authorized to move the domain. Double-check for spaces, punctuation, and letter case if the code is case-sensitive.
4. Review transfer options and renewal period
For many domain extensions, a transfer includes a one-year renewal added to the existing registration period. Review the transfer summary carefully so you know the total cost, the new expiry date, and any optional settings such as DNS management or privacy features if available for the extension.
5. Confirm the transfer
Some domains require confirmation from the domain owner email address, while others may require approval in the current registrar portal. Watch for transfer approval messages in your inbox and spam folder. If the current registrar sends a confirmation request, approve it as soon as possible to avoid delays.
6. Wait for the transfer to complete
Transfer completion time varies by extension and registrar policy. Some transfers complete within a few hours, while others may take several days. During this period, the domain usually remains active, and your website and email should continue to work if DNS is unchanged.
How to avoid downtime during the transfer
Registrar transfers do not normally interrupt your service, but downtime can happen if nameservers or DNS records are changed without planning. If your website or email is live, take a few precautions.
Keep DNS records unchanged until the transfer finishes
If your current nameservers are working correctly, leave them in place during the registrar move. This keeps DNS resolution stable while the domain changes registrar.
Lower TTL values in advance if you plan DNS changes
If you intend to move the domain to ITA Network Solutions and also switch DNS hosting or web hosting, lower the TTL for key records before making the change. A lower TTL helps DNS updates propagate more quickly.
Back up email and website settings
Before moving any domain used for live services, save copies of important settings from your current hosting environment, especially if you are using Plesk, Apache-based hosting, or a custom mail setup. This includes:
- Website document root paths
- PHP version and handler settings
- SSL certificate details
- Email mailbox configuration
- Forwarders, aliases, and autoresponders
- Scheduled tasks and application settings
Check SSL certificates after the move
If the domain is used with HTTPS, confirm that your SSL certificate remains valid after any DNS or hosting change. A registrar transfer alone does not usually affect SSL, but a hosting move or hostname update can require certificate reissue or reinstallation.
Transferring a domain when you also use Plesk
If the domain is attached to a Plesk subscription or a managed hosting setup, it is useful to separate the registrar transfer from the hosting migration. The domain can transfer first, while the website and mail stay on the current server, or you can move both together if you have prepared DNS and service records in advance.
When the domain is used as the primary domain in Plesk
If the domain is the main site for a Plesk subscription, verify that the hosting account will continue to resolve correctly after the transfer. In most cases, only nameservers and A records matter for live traffic. If the website IP stays the same, no additional changes are needed during the registrar transfer.
When you are changing nameservers
If you plan to use ITA Network Solutions nameservers, update the domain’s nameserver settings after the transfer is complete or according to the instructions provided during the transfer workflow. Then recreate the required DNS records in the new zone file, including website, mail, and verification entries.
When email is hosted separately
If email is on a separate service, preserve MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records exactly as required by your mail provider. Many transfer problems are actually DNS problems, especially when mail stops working because the MX records were not recreated after a nameserver change.
Common problems and how to fix them
The domain is locked
If the transfer cannot start, the most common reason is that the domain is still locked at the current registrar. Log in there and disable the transfer lock. If the option is unavailable, contact support and ask them to unlock the domain.
The authorization code does not work
Check whether the code was copied exactly, without extra spaces. If it still fails, request a fresh code from the current registrar. Some providers regenerate the code after certain account changes or security actions.
The transfer is delayed
Delays can happen because the registrar has not approved the request yet, the confirmation email was missed, or the domain is subject to a hold period. Check your inbox, current registrar account, and transfer status in ITA Network Solutions.
The domain expired recently
Some expired domains can still be transferred, but only within certain grace periods and depending on the extension rules. If the domain is fully deleted or in redemption, you may need to restore it first before transferring.
WHOIS privacy or contact protection is enabled
Privacy services do not usually block transfers, but they can hide contact details that are needed for approval messages. Make sure the owner email address can receive messages even if privacy protection is active.
DNS records disappeared after moving nameservers
If you changed nameservers during the transfer, the old DNS zone does not move automatically unless it was recreated in ITA Network Solutions. Re-enter all necessary records manually or import them if the platform offers zone migration tools.
What happens after the transfer completes
When the domain transfer finishes, the domain will appear in your ITA Network Solutions account and you can manage registration settings there. Typical post-transfer tasks include:
- Checking the new expiry date
- Verifying registrant and admin contact details
- Confirming nameservers
- Reviewing DNS records
- Renewing auto-renew settings if needed
- Testing website and email delivery
If the domain is linked to hosting, test the site in a browser and send a test email from and to the domain. Also confirm that SSL certificates, redirects, and subdomains still work as expected.
Best practices for UK hosting customers
For UK-based customers, domain transfers are often part of a wider move between hosting providers or control panels. To keep the process smooth, treat the registrar transfer and the hosting migration as separate tasks unless you have a clear plan for DNS cutover.
A practical approach is:
- Prepare backups from the current host.
- Confirm that the domain is unlocked and transferable.
- Collect the auth code.
- Keep live DNS untouched until the transfer is complete.
- Update nameservers only when the new DNS zone is ready.
- Test website, mail, and SSL after each change.
This reduces risk and makes troubleshooting easier if something is not working after the move.
Frequently asked questions
Will my website go offline during the transfer?
Usually no. A registrar transfer does not normally affect the website if nameservers and DNS remain unchanged. Downtime is more likely if you change DNS at the same time without preparing the new zone records.
Do I need to transfer hosting as well?
No. You can transfer only the domain registration to ITA Network Solutions and keep hosting elsewhere. You can also move hosting later if needed.
How long does a domain transfer take?
It depends on the domain extension and the current registrar. Some transfers finish quickly, while others can take several days. Approval emails and registrar responses are the main factors that affect timing.
Will my email accounts move automatically?
No. Email accounts belong to the hosting service, not the registrar transfer. If your mail is hosted separately, it will keep working as long as DNS records remain correct and the mail service is not changed.
Can I transfer a domain if it is using private WHOIS details?
Yes, in many cases. Privacy protection does not usually block the transfer, but make sure the domain owner email address is reachable so approval messages are not missed.
What if I do not have the authorization code?
Request it from your current registrar. Without the code, most domain transfers cannot proceed.
Can I move a domain that is connected to Plesk?
Yes. The domain can be transferred while the Plesk subscription stays active. Just make sure the DNS records and hosting configuration continue to point to the correct server.
Do I need to change nameservers after the transfer?
Only if you want to use ITA Network Solutions DNS hosting or a different DNS setup. If your existing nameservers are working, you can keep them after the transfer.
Conclusion
Transferring a domain to ITA Network Solutions is mainly a registrar change, but it should always be planned together with DNS, hosting, and email checks. If you unlock the domain, obtain the authorization code, confirm the transfer, and keep DNS stable during the process, the move is usually smooth and low-risk. For domains tied to live websites, Plesk subscriptions, or managed email services, careful preparation is the key to avoiding downtime and preserving service continuity.
If you are moving both your domain and hosting, complete the transfer in stages: verify the current setup, prepare DNS records, move the registrar record, and then update nameservers or hosting settings only when the new environment is ready. That way, your domain remains accessible throughout the transition.