CIPC Domain Name Transfer - Tudásbázis

Transferring a .co.za domain name away from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) is a standard and necessary process because CIPC's domain service is limited to registration (parking) and does not provide essential services like web hosting, email, or full DNS management.

The transfer process is initiated by the new accredited registrar you choose, not by CIPC itself. The transfer is generally free of charge from the CIPC's side and must be completed before the domain's one-year anniversary to prevent deletion.

Here is the step-by-step guide to transfer your domain:

1. Choose a New ZACR-Accredited Registrar You need to select a new commercial registrar that is accredited by the ZA Central Registry (ZACR), the registry for the .za domains.
2. Search for ZACR-Accredited Registrars: You can find a list of accredited registrars on the ZACR's website.
3. Select a Provider: Choose a registrar that offers the hosting and domain management services you need. Many registrars offer free transfers for CIPC-registered domains.
4. Initiate the Transfer with the New Registrar The transfer process is started through the new registrar's website.
5. Go to the New Registrar's Website: Navigate to their domain transfer or client area.
6. Request a Transfer: Enter your .co.za domain name in their transfer tool. Since CIPC domains don't typically use an EPP code, the transfer is usually a simpler process managed via a voting email.
7. Complete the Order: Follow the steps to complete the transfer order. This is where you would typically pay for your first year of renewal/hosting with the new registrar, but the transfer fee itself is often R0.00.
8. Accept the Transfer Request (The Critical Step) The transfer is authorized by you via a "voting" email sent by the ZA Central Registry (ZACR).
9. Check Your Email: Look for an email from ZACR (or a similar entity) with a subject line about a "Domain Transfer Request" for your domain. This email will be sent to the contact email address registered for the domain (which is the one you used when registering with CIPC).
10. Click the Acceptance Link: Open the email and click the provided link to accept the transfer.
11. Vote to Accept: This link will take you to a ZACR voting page where you must confirm and click the Accept button to authorize the move to your new registrar.
12. Finalise the Setup with the New Registrar Once you accept the transfer, the domain will move to your new registrar's account.
13. Confirmation: You will receive an email confirmation when the transfer is complete (this usually takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours for .co.za domains).
14. Update Nameservers (If Necessary): Log in to your new registrar's client area and update the nameservers for your domain to point to their hosting (or the hosting provider of your choice) to get your website and email working.

Key Considerations

Mandatory Transfer: CIPC only provides a parking service. You must transfer the domain to a commercial registrar to make it functional (for a website or email) and to prevent it from being deleted on its anniversary date.

Cost: The transfer from CIPC to another registrar is typically free (R0.00) from the registry's perspective. However, the new registrar will charge you for the domain's annual renewal and any hosting/email services you purchase.

Timing: The transfer should be initiated as soon as possible after registration, and definitely before the end of the first year to avoid deletion. Newly registered domains may have a short initial holding period, but CIPC usually allows immediate transfer to an accredited registrar.