Transferring a WordPress domain to Squarespace

If you have a domain with WordPress, you can transfer it to Squarespace by following this guide. When you transfer your domain, you can manage all of your domain settings and billing from your Squarespace account. You may also find WordPress' guide helpful as you work on the transfer.

Before you begin the transfer, consider reviewing:

• The pricing and billing details.
• Our domain transfer requirements.
• Our suggestions for starting a transfer.
• The timing involved in transferring a domain.
• The steps needed to move your custom email address.

Step 1 - Log into WordPress

Begin your domain transfer by logging into your WordPress account.

1. Go to WordPress, then log into your account.
2. In the left sidebar, click My Site, click Upgrades, then click Domains.
3. In the list of domains, click the domain you'd like to transfer. 

Step 2 - Verify contact information

To confirm your domain's contact information is up to date:

1. Click Update your contact information.
2. Under Your domain contact information, ensure the contact information is correct. All communications regarding the transfer are sent to the email address shown here. To make changes, click Edit contact info.

For more help updating contact information, see WordPress' documentation. 

Note: For a smooth transition, the person listed as the domain contact should handle the transfer. If you’re the domain contact, ensure that the email address listed is accurate and accessible.

Step 3 - Unlock your domain and get transfer code

To enable the transfer, unlock your domain, and request the transfer code.

1. Click the Back arrow at the top of the contact information section, then click Transfer your domain.
2. Click Transfer to another registrar.
3. If your domain is unlocked, the transfer code will send automatically. If it's not unlocked, click Update settings and continue. This will unlock your domain and automatically send the authorization code, also called the "transfer code," to the domain contact.
4. You’ll enter the transfer code later, so ensure that you have access to the email containing the code.
5. If you don't receive the code, click Resend Transfer Code to try again.

Step 4 - Start the transfer and enter the transfer code

Begin the transfer process in your Squarespace site’s Domains panel:

1. Open the Domains panel for the Squarespace site you're transferring to..
2. Click Use a domain I own.
3. Enter the full domain name you’re transferring in the Enter domain field, then click the arrow.
4. Click Transfer domain.
5. In the Authorization code field, paste the transfer code, then click Save and continue.

Step 5 - Review and confirm the registration details

In the Registration panel, confirm the contact information associated with the domain is correct. These fields automatically populate with registration information we detect from your WHOIS records with your original registrar. For help formatting these fields, visit Domain contact information.

To review and edit the registration details:

1. Ensure that the address shown in the Email Address field is correct, as this is how we’ll notify you that your transfer is complete.
2. Make any necessary changes to the information. Your changes will update on your WHOIS records when your transfer is complete.
3. When everything looks correct and all required fields are complete, click Save and Continue.

Step 6 - Enter or review your payment information

In the Payment Information panel, the card attached to your site appears as the payment method. If your site is on a trial, you'll enter your credit card information. When everything looks correct, click Save and continue.

If you have any trouble entering your credit card information, ensure you're using a payment method we accept.

Step 7 - Review your order

In the Review Order panel, you'll see the details for the transfer. By transferring your domain to Squarespace, you’ll be charged for one additional year of domain registration with Squarespace. 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. You'll see a message confirming you've initiated the transfer. Click Done to return to your Domains panel.

Step 8 - Accept the transfer from WordPress

After you've entered your authorization code, WordPress sends an email to the domain contact with a link to approve or deny the transfer. If you don't click the link, WordPress will automatically approve the transfer within five days of entering your authorization code.

Step 9 - Check the transfer status and fix issues

Next, return to the Domains panel to confirm the transfer is in progress. If there's an issue with the domain, an error message will display.

To check the status of your transfer:

1. In the Domains panel, you'll see a "Transfer pending" message under your domain.
2. Click your domain, then click Refresh to see the current status.

Transfer status error messages

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

• Domain is locked - This message displays if the domain is locked, which blocks the transfer. To fix the issue, log into WordPress and unlock the domain. After unlocking the domain, this message will clear.
• Authorization code needed - This message displays if WordPress rejected the authorization code you entered in Step 4. 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. After entering the correct authorization code, this message will clear.

Step 10 - Review DNS settings (optional)

While you wait for the transfer to complete, you can review your domain's DNS settings:

1. In the Home menu, click Settings, then click Domains. Or, if there's a ☰ in the top-left corner, open that menu and click Domains.
2. Click the domain that's pending transfer, then click Review your DNS settings.
3. To delete records you no longer need, click the red trash can.
4. To create a new custom record for your domain, click Add record

As you review the DNS records, keep in mind:

• While the domain is transferring, the DNS Settings panel can only display MX, TXT, A, CNAME, and SRV records. These records are imported from your domain provider. You can compare the records in the Squarespace DNS Settings panel to your provider's settings to determine if any are missing.
• If you have a custom email address attached to your domain, leave the MX records in place.

Step 11 - Wait for the transfer to complete

WordPress should release the domain to Squarespace. If your domain transfer is still pending after 15 days, and you’ve correctly followed all steps above, contact WordPress for more details. This timing is out of Squarespace’s control.

While your transfer is in progress, we don't recommend changing your DNS settings or adding a Google Workspace email account. Wait until your domain is fully transferred before adding any new integrations.

When the domain is fully transferred, you'll receive a "Thank you" email from customercare@squarespace.com, and the domain will appear in the Domains panel with a green label. 

Troubleshooting failed transfers

If your domain fails to transfer, you’ll get an email from Squarespace. This can happen if you entered wrong information in the registration field, WordPress rejected the transfer, or for other reasons. For a full list of scenarios, see our FAQ. 

Tips:

• For help communicating with WordPress, visit Requesting third-party domain help and review the "Transfer help" sections. 
• If you continue to have trouble, you may want to keep your domain hosted with WordPress and connect it to Squarespace instead.

Cancel or remove the transfer

If your domain transfer is pending, you may be able to cancel it. For more information, visit Canceling a domain transfer.

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, you can: 

• Cancel your WordPress hosting package account if you no longer need it. You’ll now manage all domain settings and billing through Squarespace. Even if your WordPress account doesn't have any domains, your hosting plan will remain active and WordPress will continue billing you until it's canceled. 
• Set this as your primary domain.
• Choose to hide the domain’s “www” prefix.
• Enable SSL for your site, if you haven't already.
• Add a custom email address through our integration with Google Workspace.
• Register additional domains.
• Review your domain invoice.

Getting more help

For more help with transferring from WordPress, contact their support team. You can also visit their documentation.