How to transfer out your domain from Network Solutions

If you choose to transfer out your domain, we welcome the opportunity to address any concerns before you proceed, as Network Solutions® values your business. While the process to transfer out your domain is straightforward, it is essential to ensure your account settings are properly configured to prevent any delays or interruptions to your website services.

Due to registry requirements, the following extensions require the Primary Contact of the account to call our customer support to proceed with a transfer between registrars:

Only the Primary Contact of an account can make certain changes, such as turning off the transfer lock or requesting an authorization code from the account manager. However, the authorization code (auth code) for initiating a domain registrar transfer is sent to the Registrant’s email listed on the domain. In addition, the transfer alert email and the authorization email for moving domains between accounts are also delivered to the Registrant’s email. 

In this article, we will discuss:

• Pre-checks prior to the transfer out process
• Unlocking domain and requesting an authorization code
• Common issues during a domain transfer
• Review

Pre-checks prior to the transfer out process

Before you begin the steps to transfer out your domain, consider the following technical requirements:

• The domain is unlocked
• The transfer is initiated with the gaining registrar
• The authorization code is provided to the gaining registrar
• The form of authorization from the new registrar is responded to

During the transfer process, no changes can be made to the domain name, including DNS (Domain Name System) changes. If you need to change your DNS, please make sure the changes are in effect before approving the transfer through the gaining registrar.

Unlocking domain and requesting an authorization code

To successfully transfer out your domain, follow these steps to remove the security lock and obtain your auth code:

1. Log in to your Network Solutions’ account via https://www.networksolutions.com/my-account/login.
2. Click Domains from the left navigation menu.
   
   
    
   Note:

   • If you have multiple domains in the account, you must select the domain you want to access.
   • If you are in the Summary View, click the Settings button on the domain you want to access. To switch to a different view, click the Advanced View button above the domain list.
   • If you are in the Advanced View, click the kebab menu on the domain you want to access, then select Manage. To switch to a different view, click the Summary View button above the domain list.
3. Once you are on the domain details page, please:
   1. Click the Security tab.
   2. Toggle off the Domain Lock switch.
   3. Click the Request Auth Code button, and the Request Authorization Code pop-up will appear.
      
      
       
4. On the Request Authorization Code pop-up, please:
   1. Choose the reason for the transfer, then click the Continue button.
      
      
       
      Note: Please follow the prompts and carefully read the instructions since the options may appear differently depending on the reason for the transfer you have selected.
   2. Lastly, you can either follow the steps below: 
      • Setup host records – You will be rerouted to the DNS tab to configure your DNS settings.
      • Contact chat/phone support – A chat support pop-up will appear on the right side of your account manager. You may also directly contact our phone support for assistance.

Common issues during a domain transfer

If you encounter difficulty as you transfer out your domain, it is often caused by one of the following factors:

• The domain name has not been registered for 60 days. 
  • ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) regulations state that a domain name cannot be transferred within 60 days of initial purchase. There is no way to bypass this regulation. 
• The authorization code is denied. 
  • Authorization codes are random sets of letters and numbers, are case-sensitive, and may contain characters that would be mistaken for other characters. We advise copying and pasting the authorization code from the email we sent rather than typing it into the new registrar's system. 
• There is a 30-day transfer lock on the domain name. 
  • We place a high value on the security of our customers' accounts and domain names. Therefore, we have a process in place to lock the domain names in an account for 30 days when any of the following changes are made within 7 days of a password reset to help prevent fraudulent transfers: 
    • The Primary Contact's email has changed 
    • The Primary Contact's name has changed 
    • The WHOIS Administrative Contact email has been changed 
    • The WHOIS Administrative Contact has been changed 
    • The User IDs are merged 
    • The Primary Contact is replaced 
  • If you have a transfer lock on your domain names, the Primary Contact of the account can contact us for assistance with having the lock reviewed for expedited removal. 
• ICANN Change of Registrant Lock (COR) – 60-day lock. 
  • When you update your name or email address, domains registered under your name may be subject to a 60-day transfer lock as required by ICANN. You can find more information about their policy at https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/transfer-policy-2016-06-01-en. 

Review

Once you successfully transfer out your domain, ensure you update your ADNS records with your new provider to keep your site running. Understanding the balance between ICANN locks, WHOIS contact updates, and authorization code timing is key to making the process straightforward. Remember to finalize your DNS changes before you officially transfer out your domain to avoid extended downtime.