Short answer: to transfer a domain to SiloLobby, unlock it at your current registrar, get its EPP (transfer) code, then order the transfer at silolobby.com/domains/transfer and pay. Approve the transfer if your old registrar emails you. It usually completes in 5 to 7 days, and your website and email keep working the whole time because nothing about where the domain points changes.
Many Nigerian businesses registered their domains years ago with an international registrar, a former web designer or a host they no longer use. Moving everything to one place, billed in naira, saves money and stress. This guide walks you through the transfer, explains what happens behind the scenes, and shows how to fix the most common problems.
Why transfer your domain to SiloLobby?
- Pay in naira by card, bank transfer, USSD or wallet, with no dollar card, no exchange-rate surprises and no failed renewals.
- One place for everything: domains, hosting, business email, SSL and invoices in one client area.
- Automatic renewals from your wallet, so your domain never expires by accident.
- Local support that understands Nigerian businesses and .ng domains.
- No lost time: for most extensions, the transfer adds a year to your existing registration.
How a domain transfer works
A domain is registered at a registry (for example Verisign for .com, or NiRA for .ng) through a registrar. A transfer moves the management of the domain from one registrar to another. The registry's records, including your DNS settings and nameservers, stay in place. That is why your website and email keep working during the move.
The EPP code is the key piece: it is like a password that proves the request comes from the domain's owner. Combined with the unlock step, it stops anyone from moving your domain without permission.
Before you start: checklist
Check these first to avoid a failed transfer:
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The domain is more than 60 days old | Most registries block transfers for 60 days after registration or a previous transfer |
| It is not expired or about to expire | Expired domains usually cannot be transferred; renew first |
| You can access the admin contact email | Some registrars send approval emails there |
| You know which registrar holds it today | You need to log in there to unlock it |
| Your DNS settings are written down | Useful as a backup if you later move your DNS |
If you do not know where your domain is registered, a WHOIS lookup shows the current registrar.
Step 1: unlock the domain
Log in to your current registrar and find the setting called "registrar lock", "transfer lock" or "domain lock". Turn it off. The lock exists to stop unauthorised transfers, so it must be off for the transfer to proceed. Some registrars take a few hours to apply the change.
Step 2: get the EPP code
In the same account, request the EPP code (also called auth code, authorisation code or transfer key). Some registrars show it on screen; others email it to the domain's contact address. Treat it like a password: anyone with the code and an unlocked domain could try to transfer it.
Step 3: check WHOIS privacy and contact details
Some registrars require WHOIS privacy to be turned off before a transfer, so the approval email reaches you. Make sure the contact email on the domain is one you can read.
Step 4: order the transfer at SiloLobby
- Go to domain transfer and enter your domain.
- Paste the EPP code.
- Pay the transfer fee in naira (₦21,600 for a .com, ₦10,000 for a .com.ng).
We send the request to the registry immediately.
Step 5: approve the transfer
Your current registrar may email you to confirm the transfer. Approving it speeds things up. If you do nothing, most transfers complete automatically after about five days, unless the old registrar or the owner refuses.
Step 6: follow the progress
In your client area, open Domains. While the transfer is in progress you see its status. We email you:
- when the transfer starts,
- when it completes,
- straight away if the registry stops it, with the reason and how to fix it.
When it completes, you manage DNS, nameservers, privacy and renewals from SiloLobby.
Why a transfer can fail, and how to fix it
| Status or message | What it means | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Invalid auth code | The EPP code is wrong, expired or has a typo | Request a new code from your old registrar and try again |
| Domain is locked | The transfer lock is still on | Unlock the domain and restart the transfer |
| Transfer rejected | Your old registrar or the owner refused it | Contact the old registrar to find out why, then restart |
| Within 60 days of registration or transfer | A registry rule | Wait until 60 days have passed |
| Domain expired | The registration lapsed | Renew it at your current registrar first |
If anything stops, open a support ticket. We will tell you exactly what to fix and restart the transfer for you.
Will my website or email stop working?
No. A transfer changes the company that manages the domain, not where it points. Your nameservers and DNS records stay the same, so your website and email keep running throughout.
After the transfer, you can leave your DNS where it is, or move it to SiloLobby for simpler management. If you move DNS, recreate every record first (especially MX records for email). See DNS records explained.
Transferring a domain from a former web designer
If someone else registered your domain:
- Ask them to unlock the domain and give you the EPP code.
- If they registered it in their own name, ask them to change the registrant to you before the transfer.
- If they will not respond, contact the old registrar with proof of ownership (invoices, business documents). This can take time, which is why you should always be the registrant.
Moving your website as well?
If you are also moving hosting, do it calmly: set up the new hosting, copy and test the site, then switch DNS. SiloLobby migrates websites for free. See how to move your website without downtime.
Transferring several domains at once
If your business owns many domains, plan the move:
- List every domain with its current registrar and expiry date.
- Start with domains that are not close to expiry.
- Unlock all of them and collect the EPP codes in a secure document.
- Order the transfers, then approve each confirmation email.
- Track progress in your client area; we email you about each one.
Domains close to expiry are best renewed where they are first, then transferred after renewal.
Understanding domain status codes
A WHOIS lookup shows status codes that explain why a transfer may be blocked:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| clientTransferProhibited | The registrar lock is on; unlock it before transferring |
| pendingTransfer | A transfer is already in progress |
| redemptionPeriod | The domain expired and must be restored first |
| serverTransferProhibited | The registry has blocked transfers, often temporarily after registration |
Summary
Unlock the domain, get the EPP code, order the transfer and approve it. In 5 to 7 days your domain is managed at SiloLobby, billed in naira, with no downtime and, for most extensions, an extra year added.