How to Transfer Domain Ownership on Squarespace
TL;DR:
- Transfer domain ownership when leaving an organisation or shifting responsibilities
- Only the current domain owner can start the transfer process
- The new owner must already have manager-level access to the domain
- DNS settings and contact information stay the same during transfer
- Both parties need to check their emails to complete the process
- The new owner will need to set up their own payment method
What You Need to Know Before Transferring a Domain
Before you start transferring your Squarespace domain, there are a few important things to understand. The new owner must already have manager-level permission on the domain before you can transfer it to them.
Single Ownership Rules
Each domain can only have one owner at a time. The owner has complete control over the domain, including the ability to transfer it to someone else.
Eligibility Requirements
Your domain needs to be active and not expired. It also can't have any pending ownership verification processes running. If either of these apply, you'll need to sort them out first.
What Stays the Same
The good news is that your domain's DNS settings, custom nameservers, and forwarding rules won't change during the transfer. The original contact information also stays in place until the new owner manually updates it.
Associated Services
If your domain has services like Google Workspace attached to it, these will transfer to the new owner too. You'll need to cancel these beforehand if you don't want them to move across.
For grouped domains, you'll need to transfer each one individually. There's no bulk transfer option.
Transferring Domain Ownership
Here's how to transfer your domain ownership step by step.
Step 1: Add the New Owner as a Manager
Before you can transfer ownership, the new owner needs to be added as a domain manager. Send them an invitation and make sure they accept it before moving to the next step.
Step 2: Start the Transfer Process
- Go to your domain dashboard
- Click 'Permissions' next to the domain you want to transfer
- Select the new owner's name from the list
- Click 'Transfer Domain Ownership'
- Enter your password or complete 2FA verification
- Confirm by sending the transfer email
Step 3: Complete the Transfer
The new owner will receive an email with the transfer request. They need to:
- Accept the ownership transfer
- Set up or confirm their payment method
- Follow the instructions in the email to finalise everything
Both parties should check their email inboxes regularly during this process. Transfer emails sometimes end up in spam folders, which can cause delays.
FAQs
Can I transfer multiple domains at once?
No, each domain needs to be transferred individually. There's no batch transfer option in Squarespace.
What happens if the new owner doesn't accept the transfer?
You can cancel the transfer from your domain dashboard if the new owner doesn't respond or changes their mind.
Will my DNS settings change during the transfer?
No, all DNS settings, custom nameservers, and forwarding rules stay exactly the same when ownership transfers.
How long does the transfer take?
The transfer completes as soon as the new owner accepts it and sets up their payment method. The actual time depends on how quickly both parties respond to the emails.
Jargon Buster
Owner Permission Level – The highest level of access for a domain, giving complete control including the ability to transfer ownership
Domain Manager – Someone who can manage certain aspects of a domain but doesn't own it
DNS Settings – The configurations that tell the internet where to send traffic when someone types your domain name
2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) – An extra security step that requires both your password and a second verification method, like a text message
Wrap-up
Transferring domain ownership on Squarespace is straightforward once you know the steps. The key is making sure both parties stay in touch throughout the process and respond to emails promptly.
Remember that once the transfer is complete, the new owner takes full responsibility for the domain. Make sure they understand what they're taking on, especially if there are associated services or subscriptions involved.
If you run into any problems during the transfer, Squarespace support can help you sort things out.
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