Steps to move your domain management from GoDaddy to Squarespace.

Request an authorization code from GoDaddy to transfer the management of your domain to Squarespace. You may also find GoDaddy's documentation and support team helpful as you work on the transfer.

Also try: If you’d rather keep your domain managed with GoDaddy, connect it to your Squarespace site instead.

Transfer timing

Domain transfer timing varies. Some domains transfer in one day, while others can take closer to 15 days to complete. Review factors that affect timing and tips to speed up the process.

Transfer pricing

The transfer is free, but ICANN requires a one-year extension of your domain registration, which you’ll purchase through Squarespace. The cost depends on the TLD.

Transfer eligibility requirements

Ensure your domain is eligible for transfer. If you’re not sure whether your domain meets these rules, use our sample message to check with your current registrar. The domain needs to:

• Use a supported TLD.
• Be registered or transferred to the current provider for at least 60 days.
• Be active with your current provider. If your domain is past due, but not completely expired, ask your provider if it's eligible for transfer before starting the process.

Ineligible domains

You can't transfer these types of domains to Squarespace. You can connect them to your site instead:

• Registry premium domains
• Some ccTLDs, such as .au, .com.au, .jp, .nz, and .co.nz
• Domains with nine or more years remaining on their current registration
• Subdomains (if you enter a subdomain, we'll try to transfer the root domain to Squarespace)
• Domains that include the words "squarespace" or "sqsp"

What happens to my custom email address? (if applicable)

Before starting a transfer, contact your current email host to confirm if the transfer will affect your inbox. Keep these points in mind:

• Mail exchange (MX) records - In most cases, MX records transfer along with your domain, and your current email provider continues hosting your email uninterrupted.
• Provider requirements - Some email hosts require you to keep your domain hosted with them. Transferring your domain away may cause your email account to deactivate.
• Backups - Back up your emails, contacts, and inbox settings with your current provider before initiating the transfer.

Step 1 - Log in to GoDaddy and remove DNSSEC records

To begin your domain transfer:

1. Log in to your GoDaddy account.
2. Under Domains, click the domain you want to transfer.
3. In your DNS settings, delete any domain name system security extension (DNSSEC) records. These records can cause the transfer to fail.
4. If you purchased Ownership Protection from GoDaddy, follow their documentation to disable it.

Step 2 - Verify domain contact information

You’ll receive emails about the transfer at the Administrative email address, so ensure the contact information is accurate:

1. In Domain Settings, scroll down to the Contact Information section.
2. Click Edit, then review the information listed in the Administrative tab. If you don't see the tabs, uncheck the Use for all contact types checkbox.
3. Ensure the email address is correct, then click Save.

Note: For a smooth transition, the person listed as the Administrative contact should handle the transfer. If you edit the Registrant, follow GoDaddy's instructions to opt-out of the 60-day transfer lock.

Step 3 - Unlock your domain

You need to unlock your domain before you can transfer it:

1. Scroll down to the Additional Settings section, then locate the Domain lock status.
2. If Domain lock is on, click Edit, then switch the toggle off.
3. Click the checkbox to confirm you want to unlock the domain, then click Continue.
4. A pending update message appears next to Domain lock while GoDaddy processes your request.

Step 4 - Request an authorization code (auth code) from GoDaddy

Get an authorization code from GoDaddy:

1. In the Additional Settings section, click Transfer domain away from GoDaddy.
2. Click Continue with transfer.
3. Choose Click here to see Authorization Code.
4. Click Copy to Clipboard.
5. Save the authorization code somewhere safe to use later.

Step 5 - Enter the authorization code in your Squarespace account

How you add the authorization code depends on whether you're transferring to an existing Squarespace site or parking the domain without a site:

Step 6 - Review and confirm the registration data

The fields in the Registration panel automatically populate with data we detect from your public domain records:

1. Review and confirm your contact information, paying close attention to your email address, as that's how we'll notify you when the transfer is complete.
2.  Click Save and Continue. Your public records will update when the transfer is complete.

Step 7 - Enter or review your payment information

In the Payment Information panel, the billing information attached to your site appears as the payment method. If your site is on a trial, or you're transferring your domain to park it, enter an accepted payment method. When everything looks correct, click Save and Continue.

Step 8 - Review your order and confirm the transfer

The Review Order panel shows the transfer details. When you transfer your domain, we charge for one additional year of domain registration. Pricing is based on your domain’s TLD, and may be free if you’re eligible.

To confirm the transfer:

1. Review the payment information.
2. Confirm the total charge for one year of domain registration.
3. Review the terms near the bottom of the panel, including your domain’s new expiration date.
4. If everything looks correct, click Confirm and Purchase.
5. A message appears confirming you've initiated the transfer. Click Done to return to your Domains panel.

Step 9 - Check the transfer status

To check the status of your transfer:

1. In the Domains panel, a "Transfer in progress" message displays under your domain. If there's an issue with the domain, an error message appears.
2. Click your domain, then click Refresh status to see the current status.

Step 10 - Wait for the transfer to complete

GoDaddy should release the domain to us. You can accept the request to transfer in your GoDaddy account to speed up the process.

If you followed the transfer steps and your transfer is still pending after 15 days, contact GoDaddy for more details.

When the domain is fully transferred, you'll receive a "Thank you" email from customercare@squarespace.com, and the domain will appear in your domains dashboard with a green label. Wait until the transfer is complete before changing your DNS settings or adding any new integrations, like a custom email address.

Tip: While you wait, you can review your DNS settings. Open the domains dashboard, click the pending domain, then click DNS. You can view MX, TXT, A, CNAME, and SRV records imported from your provider, add new custom records, or delete records you no longer need. If you have a custom email address, leave the MX records in place.

Transfer status error messages

If your domain displays an error message, you can clear it depending on the message:

• Domain is locked - A locked domain blocks the transfer. To fix the issue, log into GoDaddy and unlock the domain.
• Authorization code needed - This message displays if GoDaddy rejects the authorization code you entered in Step 5. To fix the issue, ensure the authorization code is correct, enter it in the error message's text field, then click Submit. We suggest copying and pasting the code for accuracy.

Fix a failed transfer

If the transfer fails, you’ll get an email from Squarespace. This can happen if you entered incorrect information in the registration field, GoDaddy rejects the transfer, or for other reasons.

For help communicating with GoDaddy, review our resources and scripts. If you continue to have trouble, you can keep your domain hosted with GoDaddy and connect it to Squarespace instead.

Cancel or remove the transfer

If your domain transfer is pending, you may be able to cancel it.

If the transfer failed and you need to try again, you can remove the current transfer before starting over.

Next steps

After the domain transfer is complete, there are a few steps you can do depending on if the domain is associated with a site or if it’s parked: