Transferring Domains to Cloudflare

Last updated: January 1, 2026

Cloudflare Registrar offers at-cost domain pricing with no markup, plus seamless integration with Cloudflare's security and performance features. This guide walks you through transferring domains from three popular registrars—GoDaddy, IONOS, and Name.com—with specific steps for unlocking, obtaining authorization codes, and completing the transfer process.

How do I transfer from GoDaddy to Cloudflare?

Transferring a domain from GoDaddy to Cloudflare typically takes 5-7 days, though it can complete faster if you approve the transfer promptly. Before starting, ensure your domain has been registered for at least 60 days (ICANN requirement) and won’t expire within the next 15 days.

Step 1: Add your domain to Cloudflare first

Before transferring, your domain must be active on Cloudflare’s DNS:

1. Log in to your Cloudflare Dashboard
2. Click Add a Site and enter your domain name
3. Select a plan (Free works for most sites)
4. Cloudflare will scan your existing DNS records—review and confirm them
5. Update your nameservers at GoDaddy to the ones Cloudflare provides
6. Wait for the nameserver change to propagate (usually 24-48 hours)

Step 2: Unlock your domain at GoDaddy

1. Log in to your GoDaddy Account
2. Navigate to My Products → Domains
3. Click on the domain you want to transfer
4. Scroll down to Additional Settings
5. Find Domain Lock and toggle it to Off

Step 3: Get your authorization code (EPP code)

1. While still in your domain settings at GoDaddy
2. Look for Transfer domain away from GoDaddy or Authorization Code
3. Click Get authorization code
4. GoDaddy will email the code to your registrant email address
5. Check your spam folder if you don’t see it within a few minutes

Step 4: Disable privacy protection temporarily

If you have WHOIS privacy enabled:

1. Go to your domain’s settings in GoDaddy
2. Find Privacy & Protection or Domain Privacy
3. Turn off privacy protection (you can re-enable it at Cloudflare after transfer)

Step 5: Initiate the transfer at Cloudflare

1. In your Cloudflare Dashboard, go to Domain Registration → Transfer Domains
2. Enter your domain name and click Continue
3. Paste your authorization code from GoDaddy
4. Review the transfer price (Cloudflare charges at-cost, typically $10-15/year for .com)
5. Add a payment method if you haven’t already
6. Confirm the transfer

Step 6: Approve the transfer

• GoDaddy will send an email asking you to confirm the transfer
• Click the approval link to speed up the process
• Without approval, the transfer completes automatically after 5 days

How do I transfer from IONOS to Cloudflare?

IONOS (formerly 1&1) has a slightly different interface, but the core process is the same. The transfer typically takes 5-7 days after you obtain your authorization code.

Step 1: Add your domain to Cloudflare

Complete this before initiating the transfer:

1. Log in to Cloudflare Dashboard
2. Click Add a Site and enter your domain
3. Choose your plan and let Cloudflare scan your DNS records
4. Update your nameservers at IONOS to Cloudflare’s nameservers
5. Wait for propagation (24-48 hours)

Step 2: Unlock your domain at IONOS

1. Log in to your IONOS Control Panel
2. Navigate to Domains & SSL → Domains
3. Click on the domain you want to transfer
4. Find Transfer Lock in the domain settings
5. Click Disable to unlock the domain

Step 3: Obtain your authorization code

1. Still in your domain’s settings at IONOS
2. Look for Authorization Code or Transfer Out
3. Click to request the code
4. IONOS displays the code on screen and may also email it to you
5. Copy this code—you’ll need it for Cloudflare

Step 4: Disable IONOS privacy protection

If you have domain privacy enabled:

1. Go to Domain Privacy in your domain settings
2. Disable the privacy feature temporarily
3. This ensures the transfer emails reach the correct address

Step 5: Start the transfer at Cloudflare

1. In Cloudflare, go to Domain Registration → Transfer Domains
2. Enter your domain name
3. Paste the authorization code from IONOS
4. Review pricing and confirm payment
5. Submit the transfer request

Step 6: Monitor and approve

• Check your email for a transfer confirmation from IONOS
• Approve the transfer to complete it faster
• Monitor the status in your Cloudflare dashboard under Domain Registration

IONOS-specific considerations

• IONOS sometimes bundles domains with hosting packages—ensure you understand any contract implications
• If your domain was recently renewed at IONOS, you won’t lose that time; it transfers with the domain
• IONOS customer support can manually unlock domains if you have trouble with the control panel

How do I transfer from Name.com to Cloudflare?

Name.com has a straightforward transfer process. Like other registrars, expect the transfer to take 5-7 days unless you expedite it by approving the transfer email.

Step 1: Set up your domain on Cloudflare

Before transferring:

1. Log in to Cloudflare Dashboard
2. Click Add a Site and enter your domain
3. Complete the DNS scan and verify your records
4. Update nameservers at Name.com to point to Cloudflare
5. Wait for the change to propagate (usually 24-48 hours)

Step 2: Unlock your domain at Name.com

1. Log in to your Name.com Account
2. Click on My Domains in the navigation
3. Select the domain you want to transfer
4. Find the Transfer Lock setting
5. Toggle it to Unlocked

Step 3: Get your authorization code

1. While viewing your domain at Name.com
2. Look for Authorization Code or EPP Code in the domain details
3. Click Get Code or View Code
4. Name.com will display the code immediately—copy it
5. Some accounts may require email verification first

Step 4: Turn off WHOIS privacy

If you have Name.com’s privacy protection:

1. Navigate to your domain’s privacy settings
2. Disable WHOIS Privacy or ID Protection
3. This allows transfer verification emails to reach you

Step 5: Initiate transfer at Cloudflare

1. Go to Domain Registration → Transfer Domains in Cloudflare
2. Enter your domain name
3. Input the authorization code from Name.com
4. Review the transfer cost (Cloudflare’s at-cost pricing)
5. Complete payment and submit

Step 6: Confirm the transfer

• Name.com sends a confirmation email to the registrant address
• Click the approval link to expedite the transfer
• The transfer auto-completes after 5 days if you don’t respond

Name.com tips

• Name.com has responsive customer support via chat if you encounter issues
• Any remaining registration time transfers with your domain
• After transfer, you can manage DNS, SSL, and caching all from one Cloudflare dashboard

General transfer tips

Regardless of which registrar you’re transferring from, keep these points in mind:

Why transfer to Cloudflare?

• At-cost pricing: Cloudflare doesn’t mark up domain prices—you pay what they pay
• Integrated DNS: Manage domains and DNS in one place
• Security: Automatic DNSSEC, DDoS protection, and SSL
• No upsells: Clean interface without constant renewal or add-on offers