How to transfer a .uk domain (before and after February 2027)

By George Morina · Guide · 22 October 2026

"Transfer" can mean two different things: moving a domain to another registrar, or changing the owner (registrant). In a sale you often need both.

Changing registrar: until 8 February 2027

Today .uk names move between registrars by changing the domain's IPS tag:

1. Ask the new registrar for its IPS tag.
2. Ask the current registrar to change the tag to the new one.
3. Accept the domain at the new registrar if it asks you to.

You can check which registrar manages a .uk name with Nominet's lookup.

Changing registrar: from 9 February 2027

Nominet is moving .uk to the same "pull" model used by .com. Its new transfer policy and registrar guidance say:

1. You ask your current registrar for a Transfer Authorisation Code. It must provide the code, and remove registrar locks, within five days at no charge.
2. You give the code to the new registrar, which requests the transfer.
3. Unused codes expire after 14 days.
4. The transfer may include a renewal of one to ten years, or none if the new registrar supports that.

Changing the owner

Changing the registrant is separate from changing registrar. In a sale, the buyer should make sure their own name and details are recorded as registrant, not just that the domain sits in a registrar account they can log in to. Your registrar will explain its process for changing the registrant.