1. Confirm the domain and written terms
The seller and buyer should agree the exact domain, price, currency, fees, payment conditions and transfer method before either side begins. The record should also explain how completion will be confirmed and what happens if a registrar restriction delays the transfer.
2. Select the transaction method
A recognised marketplace, registrar-supported transaction or trusted transaction service may coordinate the exchange. The route should be appropriate for the value and circumstances of the purchase. Both parties should independently verify the provider, website address and instructions rather than relying on a forwarded link alone.
3. Secure payment under the agreed conditions
The buyer follows the selected service's payment instructions. Depending on the arrangement, funds may be held while the domain is transferred, or the registrar marketplace may manage both sides of the transaction. The parties should not change payment details informally without re-verifying them through a known channel.
4. Move the domain
Account push
If both parties use the same registrar, the seller may push the domain into the buyer's account. This can be faster, but account details and any registrar-specific acceptance steps must be correct.
Registrar-to-registrar transfer
The seller may unlock the domain and provide an authorisation code so the buyer can initiate a transfer. Registrars may send approval messages, apply mandatory waiting periods or require contact verification. The process can take several days.
Managed marketplace transfer
A marketplace may receive the domain first or provide instructions tailored to its registrar partners. Buyers and sellers should use the transaction's official status page and support channel.
5. Verify buyer control
Completion means more than receiving an email. The buyer should confirm that the domain is visible in the correct registrar account, administrative access is secure, renewal settings are understood and DNS can be managed. The transaction record should then show that the agreed release conditions have been met.
Common timing factors
Timing can depend on the registrar, transfer type, domain status, approval messages, payment clearance and applicable transfer restrictions. A precise estimate should be given only after the domain and route are known. Buyers should plan website or email migrations separately so a domain transfer does not create an avoidable service interruption.
See Fittir's five-step purchase process or prepare a domain transfer enquiry.