Flash Sale:75% Off Hosting + Free DomainEnds in13h47m14sView Plans
Hostvento logoHostvento
Get Started

How to Move a Domain from Namecheap to Cloudflare

This guide shows you how to transfer a domain name from Namecheap to Cloudflare. A transfer moves where the domain is registered and renewed.

Domains and DNS2 min read11 steps

What is a domain transfer?

A domain is your website's address. A registrar is the company that holds that address for you. Think of it as the office where your name is on the list. Moving a domain means changing that office. Namecheap is the old one. Cloudflare Registrar is the new one.

A transfer is different from changing nameservers. Nameservers are the computers that answer questions about your domain. You can use Cloudflare's nameservers while the domain stays at Namecheap. This guide covers the full transfer.

Before you start

  • You need a free Cloudflare account.
  • The domain must be older than 60 days. Domains that were just registered or recently transferred are locked.
  • Cloudflare supports only some endings, such as .com and .net. Check that yours is on its list.
  • A transfer normally adds one year to the domain. Cloudflare asks for payment. Check the price on Cloudflare. Hostvento does not set it.
  • Write down your current DNS records so nothing is lost.

Steps

  1. Log in to Cloudflare. Click Add a domain and type your domain name.
  2. Choose a plan. The free plan works for most sites.
  3. Cloudflare scans your current records. Check that they match your old list. Add any that are missing.
  4. At Namecheap, go to Domain List and click Manage next to the domain.
  5. Open the Nameservers setting. Choose Custom DNS and type the two nameservers Cloudflare gave you. Click the green tick.
  6. Wait until Cloudflare says the domain is active.
  7. Back in Namecheap, switch off Domain Privacy if it is on. Turn off the Transfer Lock too.
  8. Click Authcode or Auth Code. Namecheap emails you a secret code. This is the transfer key.
  9. In Cloudflare, go to Domain Registration and then Transfer Domains.
  10. Select your domain, paste the code, and confirm payment.
  11. Watch your email. Namecheap may ask you to approve the transfer. Do it to speed things up.
Tip: A transfer can take up to 5 days. Your website keeps working during this time if the DNS records are right.

If your site is on Hostvento

Keep the A record that points to your Hostvento hosting. The values are in your welcome email. If you are unsure, open a ticket at https://secure.hostvento.com/submitticket.php.

Quick recap

  • A transfer changes the registrar, not just the DNS.
  • Add the domain to Cloudflare and check the copied records.
  • Unlock the domain and get the auth code at Namecheap.
  • Start the transfer in Cloudflare and approve the email.
  • Wait up to 5 days.