Key facts
- .uk, .co.uk, .org.uk and other UK domains are run by Nominet, the official .uk registry.
- A .co.uk transfer works by changing the IPS tag, a short code that identifies the registrar.
- Unlike .com transfers, a .co.uk transfer does not use an EPP or authorisation code.
- A .co.uk transfer does not add an extra year to the registration period.
- Changing the registrar does not change the owner (registrant) of the domain.
- dijitul Complete Hosting includes one domain registration or renewal per year for common extensions including .uk and .co.uk.
How .co.uk transfers work
Every .uk domain is held in the registry run by Nominet. Each registrar, the company you buy and renew the domain through, has its own IPS tag. The tag on your domain decides which registrar manages it.
To transfer a .co.uk domain, the tag is changed from the old registrar's tag to the new one. That is the whole transfer. There is no authorisation code, no 60-day lock and no confirmation email loop like there is with .com domains. When it goes smoothly, it is usually done within a day.
It helps to know two words. The registrant is the person or business that owns the domain. The registrar is the company that manages it on the registrant's behalf. A transfer changes the registrar only. The registrant stays the same, so you keep ownership throughout. If you also need to change the owner, for example after selling a business, that is a separate registrant change.
Step-by-step: transferring your .co.uk
- Check the domain details. Make sure you know who the registrant is and that the domain has not expired.
- Get the new registrar's IPS tag. Your new registrar or host will give it to you.
- Ask the old registrar to change the tag. Many control panels have a "change IPS tag" or "transfer out" option. Otherwise email their support with the domain and the new tag.
- Confirm with the new registrar. They accept the domain into their account. Some registrars accept automatically.
- Check the DNS. The nameservers usually stay the same after a tag change, so the website keeps working. Change nameservers only when you are ready.
- Check the contact details. Make sure the registrant email address is one you read, so renewal notices reach you.
- Update renewal details so the domain renews with the new registrar.
.co.uk transfers compared with .com transfers
| .co.uk and .uk | .com, .net, .org | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | IPS tag change | Authorisation (EPP) code |
| Registry | Nominet | Different registries under ICANN rules |
| Lock after registration | No standard lock | Usually 60 days |
| Adds a year | No | Yes, normally one year is added |
| Typical time | Often same day | Up to 5 to 7 days |
What if the old registrar will not help?
Registrars should change the IPS tag when the registrant asks. If yours is slow, unresponsive or has closed, there are options:
- Put your request in writing by email and keep a copy.
- Make sure the request comes from the registrant's email address, or include proof that you are the registrant.
- Check the domain's expiry date. If it is close, renew first so it does not lapse while you wait.
- If you still get nowhere, contact Nominet. As the registry, it has processes to help registrants who cannot reach their registrar.
If your old web developer registered the domain, read our guide on getting control back when a developer disappears.
Moving the website at the same time
Changing registrar and changing where the website is hosted are two separate jobs. You can do them together or one after the other. A safe order is:
- Transfer the domain to the new registrar, leaving DNS as it is.
- Move the website and email to the new hosting.
- Change the DNS or nameservers to point at the new hosting.
See how to point your domain at a new host.
How dijitul helps
dijitul handles UK domain registration and transfers for our hosting customers. With Complete Hosting at £1 a day + VAT, one domain registration or renewal is included each year for common extensions such as .uk, .co.uk, .com, .org, .org.uk and .net (premium names and some extensions excluded). We give you our IPS tag, set up Cloudflare DNS and move your site too. Order online or call 01623 650333.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an authorisation code to transfer a .co.uk domain?
No. .co.uk and other .uk domains do not use authorisation or EPP codes. The transfer is done by changing the domain's IPS tag to the new registrar's tag. Your current registrar makes the change, usually through their control panel or after you email their support team.
How long does a .co.uk transfer take?
Once the old registrar changes the IPS tag, the transfer is normally complete straight away or within a few hours. Some registrars need you to accept the domain into your account, which can add a short delay. Most .co.uk transfers are finished within one working day.
Will my website go down when I transfer my .co.uk domain?
Not usually. Changing the IPS tag moves the domain between registrars but leaves the nameservers and DNS records unchanged. Your website and email keep working. Downtime only happens if DNS is changed before the new hosting is ready, so treat that as a separate, planned step.
Does it cost anything to transfer a .co.uk domain?
Nominet does not charge for an IPS tag change. Some registrars charge a release fee, so check your terms. Unlike .com, a .co.uk transfer does not add a year to the registration, so you pay for renewal separately when it is due. Some hosts include renewal in their plan.
Can dijitul manage my .co.uk domain?
Yes. dijitul can take over your .co.uk domain by IPS tag change. Complete Hosting costs £1 a day + VAT and includes one domain registration or renewal each year for common extensions such as .co.uk and .uk, plus Cloudflare DNS, hosting, migration and daily backups.
What is an IPS tag?
An IPS tag is a short code, such as a company name in capitals, that Nominet uses to identify each .uk registrar. The tag on your domain tells the registry which registrar manages it. Changing the tag is how .uk domains move from one registrar to another.
Related
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