Migrating your domain name from Namecheap to Cloudflare requires several steps, including unlocking the domain, disabling registrar lock, and obtaining the Authorization Code from Namecheap. Ensure that the domain is more than 60 days old, no renewals are outstanding, and that WHOIS privacy is turned off or managed correctly. The transfer in Cloudflare will then be initiated, and an authorization code will be provided. The transfer will be approved via email by Namecheap.
Prepare at Namecheap
Confirm Domain Age
It should not be less than 60 days; otherwise, it will not be possible to transfer the domain.
Unlock the Domain
Log in to your Namecheap account, visit your “Domain List where you will see the domain, and click Manage.
Get the Authorization Code
In the Sharing and Transfer section, unlock the button to unlock the registrar lock, then retrieve the authentication code. This code will be dispatched to the email address that is related to the contact information of your domain.
Update Contact Information (If Necessary)
When the contact details of your domain are outdated, ensure you update the contact information at your registrar to prevent the delivery of an authentication code to the wrong email account.
Disable WHOIS Privacy
A YouTube video suggests that you may need to temporarily disable WHOOS privacy because your registrar prohibits transfers when it is enabled.
Disable DNSSEC
If you’re using DNSSEC, you must disable it at Namecheap by removing the DS record before the transfer can proceed.
Initiate and Confirm in Cloudflare
Log in to Cloudflare
Create an account with Cloudflare and add your domain to the list of sites that you manage.
Check Transfer Domain Option
Go to the domain management and select the option to transfer your domain.
Enter the Authorization Code
Enter the authorization code (Auth Code) that you got from Namecheap into Cloudflare.
Confirm Contact Information
This will require you to verify the domain’s contact details in the Cloudflare dashboard.
Pay for the Transfer
Finish the transfer by paying the needed fee to Cloudflare.
Namecheap Transfer: Approve
Mail will be sent via email to the registered email address associated with the domain. Click on the approval link in this email and complete the process.
Completion
Monitor the Transfer
The relocation may require several days (5-7 days on average). The progress of the transfer is available in your Cloudflare domain management.
Update DNS Records
Cloudflare will automatically scan your existing DNS data, but it is worthwhile to save it beforehand, in case of any problems. Once the transfer has been completed, ensure that your Cloudflare DNS records are configured appropriately for the services you have.
