If you got your domain name when signing up for Google Apps, this means that it was registered by Google. However Google itself, as a company, does not provide domain registration services and is using third-party registrars instead. However, you can still transfer your domain out by using the access to the domain controls through Google.
Before the domain can be transferred, it needs to be prepared for the transfer. It should:
- Be more than 60 days old;
- Be unlocked for transfer;
- Have your contact email listed in WHOIS;
- Not be privacy protected.
You should also have the domain’s Auth/EPP code.
This article will guide you through the preparation process.
Step 1 – identifying the domain registrar of your Google Apps domain
First of all, you should identify which registrar your domain is registered with. To do that, login to your Google Admin console, and go to your Domains tab (for old layout, click Domain settings > Domain names). Your domain is likely registered with either GoDaddy, Enom, or Domaindiscount24. Alternatively, you can use our Whois tool to check the registrar: Step 2 – unlocking your domainAll domains have a security feature that prevents them from being transferred to another company without authorization. Before you can start the transfer, the domain must be unlocked.
a. If your registrar is GoDaddy
In the Domains section of your Google Admin console, click Advanced DNS Settings. This will take you away from Google and to a GoDaddy login page. Once there, go to the Domain Control Center. Check the domain you wish to transfer, and select Locking above the list of domains. Select ‘Unlock’, and click OK.
After that, you should go to https://www.domainsbyproxy.com/ and click Log In > Forgot Your Contact Information. You can get the login info using the email address you used to sign up with Google Apps. Log in to Domains by Proxy (this is GoDaddy’s private registration service), and disable WHOIS privacy for your domain. If privacy is enabled, the transfer won’t go through.
b. If your registrar is Enom
If your domain is registered with Enom, you can email their support team at googleclients@enom.com, and request them to unlock your domain.
c. If your registrar is DomainDiscount24 or any other one
If the registration for your domain is provided by DomainDiscount24 or another registrar, you can contact them directly to unlock your domain. DomainDiscount24 can be reached at support@domaindiscount24.com
Step 3 – getting Auth/EPP code for the domain
The Auth/EPP code is another transfer security feature. This code is required to transfer the domain.
a. If your registrar is GoDaddy
Once the Domains by Proxy privacy service for your domain is disabled, you can request the authorization code for your domain by going to your Google Admin console > Domains > Advanced DNS Settings, and logging in to the GoDaddy interface. Once there, click on your domain name in the list, and find the Authorization Code tab, then select Send by Email. You will then receive an email with your authorization code for the domain.
b. If your registrar is Enom
To get your Auth/EPP code from Enom, you should send an email to googleclients@enom.com, and provide your domain password as well as a brief description of your request. Your domain password can be found by going to your Google Apps account > Domains > Advanced DNS Settings. Do not forget to also request to unlock your domain, because the transfer will fail if the domain is locked.
c. If your registrar is DomainDiscount24 or any other one
To get your Auth/EPP code from DomainDiscount24 or other registrars it is necessary to contact them directly and include the request to unlock your domain for transfers in the EPP request. DomainDiscount24 can be reached at support@domaindiscount24.com
Step 4 – Submitting the transfer request in NityGity
Once your domain is prepared for the transfer, and you have obtained the Auth/EPP code, you should check that your domain has the correct admin contact email by using our Whois tool or any other of your choice: https://www.nitygity.com/domains/whois.aspx
Once you have made sure that the domain’s Administrative Contact shows an email address you can access, you can go to our Domains > Transfer a Domain page, and submit the transfer using your EPP code. Within 24 hours, you should receive an approval email from donotreply@name-services.com. After the transfer is approved by clicking the link in this email, it will be completed within 5 days while your old registrar releases the domain.