To transfer a .uk domain (including .co.uk, .org.uk and .me.uk), you ask your current registrar to change the domain's IPS tag, also called the registrar tag, to the tag of your new registrar. Unlike .com transfers, there is no authorisation (EPP) code. Once Nominet records the new tag, the new registrar takes over management, usually within hours.
This guide covers how to find the right tag, the exact steps, what happens to your website and email during the move, and what to do if your old provider will not cooperate.
Key takeaways
- To transfer a .uk domain, ask your current registrar to change its IPS tag to your new registrar's tag, with no auth code needed.
- Tags are case-sensitive and the tag alone moves the domain, so copy the new registrar's tag exactly.
- Copy every DNS record first, because closing an old registrar account that hosts your DNS makes those records disappear.
- If an old registrar or web designer will not help, the registrant can request the tag change directly through Nominet's online services.
How is a .uk transfer different from a .com transfer?
Nominet, the registry for .uk, uses a different system from the one ICANN-accredited registries use for .com.
| .uk (Nominet) | .com and most gTLDs | |
|---|---|---|
| What authorises the move | Changing the IPS (registrar) tag | An auth or EPP code from the losing registrar |
| Who starts it | The losing registrar (at your request), or you via Nominet | The gaining registrar, using your code |
| Typical speed | Hours, once the tag is changed | Up to five days, unless the losing registrar approves sooner |
| Extra year added | Usually not; depends on the gaining registrar | Usually yes, one year is added |
| Lock after recent changes | No ICANN 60-day rule | Registrars may apply locks after registration or contact changes |
Because the tag alone moves the domain, a wrong tag can send your domain to the wrong company. Tags are case-sensitive, so copy them exactly.
What is an IPS tag?
An IPS tag is the short code Nominet uses to identify each registrar, for example NAMECHEAP-INC. The name comes from "Internet Provider Security", and Nominet now tends to call it a registrar tag. Every registrar that sells .uk domains has one, and your new registrar will publish it in its help pages or tell you on request.
How do I transfer a .uk domain step by step?
1. Check the domain is in good standing
Make sure the domain has not expired and is not suspended. A .uk domain is suspended 30 days after expiry, and a suspended domain is a much harder transfer. If it is close to expiry, renew it first or check whether the new registrar renews on transfer. Also confirm that the registrant (the legal owner on the Nominet record) is you or your business, not a former web designer.
2. Open an account with the new registrar
Sign up and find the transfer page for .uk domains. Some registrars ask you to start a transfer order first; others just wait for the domain to arrive on their tag. Note their exact IPS tag.
3. Copy your DNS records
This is the step people skip. If your current registrar also runs your DNS, your website and email records live in their system. Export or screenshot every record (A, CNAME, MX, TXT, DKIM, SPF, DMARC) so you can recreate them. A DNS lookup from MakeItFlow shows what is currently live, and lets you compare after the move.
4. Ask the current registrar to change the tag
Most registrars have a self-service "change IPS tag" or "transfer out" option in the domain settings. If the domain has a registrar lock enabled, unlock it first. Enter the new tag exactly. Some registrars process this instantly and cannot reverse it, so double-check before saving.
If there is no option, contact their support team with the domain name and the new tag. They should do it without unreasonable delay.
5. Accept the transfer at the new registrar
Depending on the registrar, the domain either appears in your new account automatically or you need to accept the transfer. Registrars commonly advise allowing up to 24 hours. Some registrars cancel a pending transfer order if the tag is not changed within a set window, so do not leave it for weeks.
6. Check DNS and email
Confirm the nameservers are what you expect. Changing the tag does not change nameservers by itself, so your site should keep working. However, if your nameservers belonged to the old registrar and you close that account, your DNS will disappear with it. Move DNS to the new registrar or a separate DNS provider before closing anything.
Can I change the IPS tag myself through Nominet?
Yes. As the registrant, you can log in to Nominet's online services, verify ownership with the email address on the domain record, and request a tag change directly. This is useful when an old registrar has gone out of business or will not respond. Nominet may charge a fee for this; check its current price list before you start.
Will my website or email go down during a .uk transfer?
Not if you plan it. The tag change moves the administrative relationship, not your DNS. Problems happen when:
- The old registrar was also your DNS host, and you cancel the account before moving the records.
- The new registrar resets nameservers to its own defaults during the transfer.
- DKIM, SPF or DMARC records are missed when recreating the zone, so mail starts going to spam.
After the move, check your email authentication. Our email authentication checklist walks through what should be in place.
How do I change the owner of a .uk domain?
Changing who owns the domain is a separate process from changing the registrar. It is called a registrant transfer, and it is done through Nominet's online services or through your registrar. The new owner has to agree, and there is usually a fee. If you are buying a business or a domain, do the registrant transfer as well as the tag change; otherwise the seller still legally holds the name.
What if my old web designer controls the domain?
This is common. The designer may have registered the domain in their own name or on their reseller tag.
- Look up the domain on Nominet's WHOIS to see the registrant name and current registrar.
- If you are the registrant, ask the designer to change the tag. If they refuse or have disappeared, use Nominet's online services yourself.
- If the designer is the registrant, you need a registrant transfer. Nominet has a dispute resolution service if the ownership is genuinely contested.
Frequently asked questions
Do .uk domains have an EPP or auth code?
No. Nominet does not use authorisation codes for registrar transfers. The IPS tag change is the only thing that moves the domain, which is why it matters so much that you enter the right tag.
Does transferring a .uk domain add a year?
Not usually. Many registrars move .uk domains without adding a year or charging a fee, although some renew the domain if it is very close to expiry. Check the gaining registrar's terms before you start.
How long does a .uk domain transfer take?
The tag change itself is near-instant at many registrars, and the domain generally appears in the new account within 24 hours. Delays usually come from waiting for the old provider's support team.
Can I transfer a .uk domain that has expired?
Sometimes, but it is risky. Renew it first, either with the current registrar or directly with Nominet once the expiry reminders begin. Our guide to what happens when a domain expires covers the .uk timeline.
Does the transfer affect SEO?
No. Search engines see your website, not your registrar. As long as DNS keeps pointing to the same host and nothing goes offline, rankings are unaffected.
Should I keep the domain and hosting with the same company?
It is convenient but not essential. Keeping them separate means a hosting problem does not lock you out of your domain, and you can move hosts by just editing DNS. See how to point your domain to a new host.
What to do next
Once the domain has moved, check that DNS, email records and SSL all survived. MakeItFlow can confirm in one scan: run a free website audit to check DNS, DNSSEC, CAA, SPF, DKIM and DMARC alongside your site's security and performance. If you want a refresher on what each record does first, read DNS records explained.
Sources
Written by the MakeItFlow team
We build the website audit these guides are based on. Every fact is checked against the primary sources listed above and this guide was last reviewed on 21 October 2026 . How we research and check
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