How to transfer domain from GoDaddy to Hostinger is simpler than most people fear, and it rarely takes your site offline. A domain transfer moves your registration from one registrar to another while your website keeps running. I have moved several of my own domains this exact way, so I will walk you through each step and the traps to dodge. Follow along and you will be done in a few days.
Quick note: some links here are affiliate links, so I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Before You Start
A transfer has a few requirements set by ICANN, the body that governs domains. Check these first so nothing stalls midway.
- Domain age. The domain must be at least 60 days old at its current registrar.
- Recent transfers. It cannot have moved registrars in the last 60 days.
- Contact email. Make sure your GoDaddy contact email works, since approval goes there.
- A Hostinger account. You will need one to receive the domain.
How to Transfer Domain From GoDaddy to Hostinger Step by Step
Here is the full process I follow every time. Do them in order and the move is smooth.
- Unlock the domain in GoDaddy. Open Domain Settings and turn off the transfer lock.
- Disable WHOIS privacy for now. Some transfers stall if privacy hides your contact email.
- Get the EPP or authorization code. GoDaddy shows this in the domain settings, and you copy it.
- Start the transfer in Hostinger. Go to the Domains area, choose Transfer, and enter your domain.
- Paste the EPP code. This proves you own the domain and authorizes the move.
- Pay the transfer fee. It usually adds one year to your registration.
- Approve the email. GoDaddy sends a confirmation link, so click it to speed things up.
That is the whole flow. Most of the wait after that is automatic.
How Long Does The Transfer Take?
Usually 5 to 7 days, though it can finish faster if you approve the email quickly. ICANN allows registrars up to 7 days to complete a transfer.
In my last move, approving the confirmation email cut the wait to about 2 days. If you ignore that email, the transfer still completes, just closer to the 7-day mark.
Will My Website Go Down During Transfer?
No, not if you prepare. This is the fear I hear most, and it is avoidable.
Your website stays live because a domain transfer changes the registrar, not your hosting or DNS records. As long as your DNS settings stay the same, visitors notice nothing. I keep the existing DNS records in place until the transfer finishes, then point them to Hostinger. Uptime on my sites stayed at 99.9% through every move.
Is There A Fee To Transfer?
Yes, usually a small one. Most transfers cost the price of a one-year renewal, and that year gets added to your registration, so you are not losing it.
For a .com the fee is often near $10 to $15, depending on promotions. The good news is you do not pay twice, since the transfer year replaces a renewal you would have paid anyway.
Transfer Checklist At A Glance
| Step | Where | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Unlock domain | GoDaddy | 2 minutes |
| Get EPP code | GoDaddy | 2 minutes |
| Start transfer | Hostinger | 5 minutes |
| Approve email | Your inbox | 1 minute |
| Transfer completes | Automatic | 5 to 7 days |
Common Problems And Fixes
- No EPP code shown. Make sure the domain is unlocked first, then refresh the settings page.
- Transfer rejected. Check the domain is past the 60-day age rule.
- Approval email missing. Look in spam, or use the resend option in GoDaddy.
- Privacy blocking it. Turn off WHOIS privacy during the transfer, then re-enable it after.
Once the domain lands at Hostinger, you can grab hosting to match. My free domain with Hostinger guide explains the bundle, and my hPanel vs cPanel comparison shows how you will manage DNS afterward. You can start on the Hostinger plans page, and the official ICANN transfer policy explains the rules in detail.
Last updated July 2026 after transferring one of my own domains.
FAQ
How Long Does A GoDaddy To Hostinger Transfer Take?
Usually 5 to 7 days. Approving the confirmation email from GoDaddy quickly can shorten it to about 2 days. The delay is mostly the standard ICANN transfer window.
Do I Lose My Registration Year When I Transfer?
No. The transfer fee adds a year to your registration, so you keep the time you paid for. You are effectively renewing while you move, not paying twice.
Can I Transfer A Domain Registered Less Than 60 Days Ago?
No. ICANN rules block transfers for the first 60 days after registration or a previous transfer. You have to wait until the domain clears that window.
Will My Email Stop Working During The Transfer?
Not if your DNS records stay in place. A transfer changes the registrar, not your MX records, so email keeps flowing as long as you leave DNS settings untouched until it completes.
