Transfer a Domain Name Between Google Domains Account

When your website was first built, your developer may have registered your domain name on your behalf. This is a common practice when the client is unfamiliar with the domain registration process. It is important, however, for the site owner to understand the domain registration and renewal process and to take ownership of the domain name. A domain name can be a valuable asset to the company or organization that owns the website. This article will help you understand this process.

When your website was first built, your developer may have registered your domain name on your behalf. This is a common practice when the client is unfamiliar with the domain registration process. It is important, however, for the site owner to understand the domain registration and renewal process and to take ownership of the domain name. A domain name can be a valuable asset to the company or organization that owns the website. This article will help you understand this process.

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ABOUT DOMAIN NAMES
No one owns a domain name. Domain names are rented, or more accurately, registered for a set period of time. A domain name is similar to your phone number. A phone number is yours only so long as you keep your account current with your carrier and if you stop using and/or paying for that phone number, it can be assigned to someone else to use. ​

No one owns a domain name. Domain names are registered...

If you don't keep your domain registration account current for your domain name(s), the same thing can happen. It is advisable to keep your domain name set to "Auto-Renew" and associate a valid credit card with the account. Under these circumstances, your domain name will renew automatically each year. Credit cards have expiration dates, however, so it is critical that you know when your card expires so you can update your domain registration account. Most domain registrars will notify you in advance that your domain name is up for renewal and whether the credit card on file is still current. But it's a really good idea for you to stay proactive, not only with your domain registration account, but all of your subscription accounts.

You can often register a domain name for more than one year and this is often a good idea if you know you will be using the domain name for an extended period of time.

HOW TO TRANSFER A DOMAIN NAME BETWEEN GOOGLE DOMAINS ACCOUNTS

1. If you already have a Google or Gmail account, you already have a Google Domains account.
    ▪️ Log in to your Google or Gmail account
    ▪️ Open another browser tab
    ▪️ Type "domains.google.com" in the address bar and press Enter
   
   ⚠️ If you do not already have a free Google Domains account, go to https://domains.google.com and create a free account using your email address and a password. 
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2. If the left sidebar menu is not open, click on the menu icon in upper-left corner (3 horizontal lines or "hamburger stack").
3. Click on Transfer.
4. Enter the domain name, including the extension (e.g. "mydomain.com) that you wish to transfer into your account, then press Enter or click Continue.
5. To transfer the domain, you need an authorization code from the registrar that currently holds the domain name. You must ask the person who manages this account to send you the authorization code. The authorization code may also be called "transfer code," or "EPP code." This code is usually a long, complex string of characters to it is advisable that you copy & paste the code instead of typing it manually.
6. Select “I already have an authorization code.”
7. Paste the authorization code and click Accept and continue.
8. If the domain was set up to renew registration automatically, select whether you want to continue auto-renew. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CHOOSE TO AUTO-RENEW!
   
   ⚠️ If you decide to auto-renew, you need to agree to automatic payments. You aren’t charged until the domain is ready for renewal. Renewal occurs on the original end-date of the domain’s registration. 
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9. Choose whether to preserve the domain’s web, email, and if present, G Suite configuration or to reset all your domain configurations. If you choose to keep your settings, there's no service interruption on your web pages and email. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CHOOSE TO PRESERVE YOUR PRESENT SETTINGS!
10. Click Transfer.
11. Enter or edit the contact information for the domain and click Continue.
12. Check your email. You may need to confirm the changes via the confirmation email(s) if required.
13. Within a few minutes, the domain you transferred appears on your My Domains list.
    

Once you have transferred a domain name or names into your own Google Domains account, you may wish to grant your technology partner (web developer or tech consultant) permission to manage your domain(s). This will allow him/her to manage the technical aspects of your domain configuration like DNS Configuration (Registered Hosts, Synthetic Records, Custom Resource Records, etc.) forwarding, G-Suite and other settings while you retain complete control over billing. You can always remove access at any time. Here are the steps.

GRANT YOUR TECHNOLOGY PARTNER PERMISSION TO MANAGE YOUR DOMAIN

1. Log into your Google Domains account.
2. From the left sidebar menu, select Registration Settings.
3. In the Domain Permissions section, click on the Permissions link.
4. Add the email address provided by your technology partner and press the blue Add button.