Transferring a domain to us keeps it alongside your hosting and billing, all in one place. PAC is a Nominet accredited registrar, so we register .uk domains directly with Nominet. Other extensions are registered through our registrar partner, CentralNic Reseller.
The process is different for .uk domains and all other extensions, so follow the section that matches your domain.
A registry may stop a domain being transferred for 60 days after it’s registered or transferred, or after a change of registrant. These locks are set by the registry, and neither we nor your current provider can override them.
Transferring a .uk domain
This covers .uk, .co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk and other .uk domains. There’s no EPP code to find: you move a .uk domain by changing its IPS tag.
Please place your transfer order first, before the IPS tag is changed. The order is how we know the domain belongs to you.
- Place your transfer order with us. In your Client Area, go to Domains > Transfer a Domain to Us, enter your domain name and complete the order.
- Then change the IPS tag. Once your order is placed, ask your current provider to change the domain’s IPS tag to PACHOSTING. Many providers let you do this yourself in their control panel.
- We take it from there. As soon as the tag is changed, the domain transfers to us instantly. Our systems match it to your order, add it to your account, and email you to confirm – usually within around 5 minutes.
Our IPS tag is PACHOSTING. Please make sure it’s entered exactly as shown – if it’s mistyped, the domain can end up with the wrong registrar.
Why the order has to come first
This is a security measure that protects your domain. A .uk domain that arrives on our tag without an order has no customer to be matched to, so we don’t automatically hand it to whoever orders it afterwards – otherwise someone could try to claim a domain that isn’t theirs.
- If the tag is changed before you order, your order will still go through, but the domain won’t be added to your account automatically. We’ll be alerted and will check it manually before assigning it, which can delay things.
- If the tag is changed and no order is placed, the domain will sit on our tag without being assigned to anyone. We’ll pick it up and work to return it to its rightful owner.
Already changed the tag before ordering? Don’t worry – place your order and contact our support team so we can confirm the domain is yours and assign it to your account.
Transferring any other domain
This covers .com, .net, .org, .io, the newer extensions and other country codes.
Step 1: Prepare the domain at your current provider
Log in to wherever the domain is currently registered and:
- Unlock the domain (turn off the registrar or transfer lock).
- Get the authorisation (EPP) code, sometimes called an auth code. This is a password that authorises the transfer.
- Make sure the domain’s contact email address is one you can access, as you may receive an email asking you to confirm the transfer.
Step 2: Start the transfer with us
In your Client Area, go to Domains > Transfer a Domain to Us, enter your domain name and the EPP code, and complete the checkout.
Step 3: Approve the transfer
If you receive an email asking you to confirm the transfer, follow the link to approve it and speed things along. Transfers of these extensions usually complete within 5–7 days.
Will I be charged a renewal?
Transfers include a renewal where the registry requires it. Where it does, the extra time is added to your domain’s existing expiry date, so you don’t lose any time you’ve already paid for.
We can’t complete a transfer until your current provider releases the domain. Don’t let the domain expire during a transfer, and wait until it’s complete before changing nameservers. If anything gets stuck, contact our support team and we’ll chase it for you.
The full wording is in the introduction and clauses 4.2 and 4.3 of our Domain Registration Terms.
