A domain transfer does not automatically mean that your website or email will be moved. If the right to use the domain is transferred to another person or organisation, this is known as an ownership transfer. If you simply wish to change your service provider whilst remaining the domain holder, you will need to change your registrar. These two processes are easily confused, even though they have different purposes and involve different steps.

It is worth clarifying in advance who needs to submit the application, what data or documents need to be prepared, and what will happen to the settings associated with the domain. The website, DNS settings and email service are elements that need to be handled separately. Before the transfer, you should therefore plan how the web and email services will remain accessible.

In this article, you’ll find out when a transfer is justified and how it differs from a registrar change. We’ll outline the roles of the transferor and the transferee, as well as the administrative steps required depending on the domain’s status. This will help you plan the process and ensure the continuity of related services more effectively.

Ownership transfer or registrar change: which one do you need?

The decision depends on whether the domain holder is changing or whether it is just the service provider. If another person or organisation is to become the domain holder in the registry, a transfer is required. If you remain the domain holder but wish to manage the domain through a different registrar, this is known as a registrar change. This distinction determines which procedure needs to be initiated.

What does the transfer of domain rights mean?

Upon transfer, the right to use the domain is transferred from the transferor to another user, and the new user is also listed in the registry. The transaction may be based on an agreement between the parties and does not necessarily have to form part of a sale. For example, an organisation may transfer the domain to another organisation as part of a business agreement, or an individual may decide who should be the domain holder going forward. The procedure may depend on the type of domain and its registration status.

Transferring a domain is not the same as transferring a website. The domain name directs visitors to the relevant internet service, but the website files, web hosting and email are separate elements. The Domain Name System (DNS) links domain names to internet services based on the technical data assigned to them. A change of provider therefore does not, in itself, transfer the website or email accounts. You should plan your DNS settings, hosting and email separately to ensure they continue to point to the correct locations after the transfer.

When is it time to switch registrars?

It is worth initiating a registrar transfer if the domain holder remains the same, but you wish to manage the domain’s administration through a different provider. For example, a business may continue to use its domain in its own name but transfer its maintenance to another registrar. In such cases, no new registrant is entered in the register, so a transfer is not the appropriate procedure.

You can distinguish between the two processes by asking the following question:

• Another person or organisation will become the domain holder: ownership transfer.
• You remain the domain holder; only the service provider changes: registrar transfer.

If you’d like to get to grips with the basics of domain registration, take a look at the domain registration options. Once you’ve chosen the right service, make sure you also check that your web hosting and email settings remain consistent. This way, you won’t confuse a change in the domain holder with the automatic migration of your website or email.

The process of transferring a .hu domain: registration and terms and conditions

In the case of .hu domains, changes to user details are not simply a matter of agreement between the parties. Any changes to the registry records must be initiated via the registrar: the registrar receives the request and then forwards it to the registry. The details of the procedure depend on whether the domain is a ‘factor’ domain or an older, document-based registration.

1. Check the status of the domain. Determine whether the domain requires two-factor authentication or is subject to a document-based verification process. This will determine whether an electronic authorisation code or supporting documents are required.
2. Check the details of the parties involved. The transferor is the current domain holder, whilst the transferee is the person or organisation whose right of use will be recorded in the registry. Compare these details with the information registered for the domain to ensure that any discrepancies do not hinder the process.
3. Submit the request to the registrar. In the case of a domain with two-factor authentication, the transferee submits the application to the domain’s current registrar, and the current domain holder either approves the transfer via two-factor authentication or requests an authorisation code and passes it on to the transferee, who can then use the code to submit the application to any registrar. In the case of a domain protected by a deed, the transferee submits a domain application to the chosen registrar in accordance with section 1.2.2 of the DRSZ and sends the current domain holder’s statement regarding the transfer, set out in a private document or a public deed having full probative force (DRSZ 7.2.3). Please prepare the documents in accordance with the regulations in force at the time of processing.
4. Please wait for the registration update. The document or approval does not in itself constitute a change to the registration. The registrar will forward the request, and the change of ownership will appear in the register once the new details have been updated.

What information and documents need to be verified?

The transferor must be identifiable as the current domain holder. The transferee’s details must correspond to those of the natural or legal person who is to be granted the right of use. In the case of a two-factor authentication process, the code may be sent to the registered email address involved in the process. In cases involving a written application, the transfer is recorded in a declaration by the current user, whilst the new applicant’s details are contained in the domain application submitted to the registrar: for a legal entity, this includes the name, postal address, contact email address and telephone number, tax number or registration number, and authentication details. Before submitting the application, please check the current formal requirements and ensure that all details are correct.

What .hu rules should you be aware of before a domain transfer?

Before a guided or open transfer, a domain protected by a certificate must be switched to two-factor authentication; if this is not done, the transfer will remain a certificate-based transfer. The transfer does not change the domain’s expiry date, so the new user should also bear this date in mind. Before the transfer, check the transferee’s eligibility and the current conditions of the procedure. No further such changes may be initiated for 30 days following a change of registrant or registrar. As procedural requirements may change, please follow the regulations in force at the time of submitting the application.

If, as well as managing your domain, you’d like to look into registration and administration, the aWh domain page outlines the relevant options.

Domain transfers, domain sales and switching providers: what actually changes?

A domain-related transaction may involve several separate changes. The domain holder, the registrar or the hosting provider for the website and email services may change. These changes may occur simultaneously, but none of them automatically follows on from the other. You should therefore plan the administrative and technical transition separately.

• Change of registrant: another person or organisation is granted the right to use the domain, and a new domain holder is listed in the registry.
• Registrar change: the domain holder remains the same, but the registration is managed by a different provider.
• Hosting or website migration: the website’s files and data are transferred to another hosting provider. This does not, in itself, change the domain holder.

Domain transfer therefore involves the transfer of usage rights, not the transfer of the entire online presence in a single step. The domain name, website files, hosting and email service must be handled separately. For example, if a business transfers the right to use a domain, the website may remain on its current hosting service until specific arrangements are made regarding access or migration.

What does the new user receive when a domain is sold?

When a domain is sold, the purchaser acquires the right to use the domain, but not automatically the associated website, database or email service. The transfer may take place in return for payment, but the right of use may also be transferred as part of a separate agreement, without any payment. The parties must therefore clarify exactly what is being transferred. The terms of the agreement should not be confused with the administrative procedures for domain registration.

From a practical point of view, it is worth making a separate note of the status of access rights and services associated with the domain. Changes to registration details do not replace the transfer of website files, nor do they automatically grant access to the web hosting account or email inboxes. These matters must be settled separately by the parties concerned.

Will the website and email be transferred automatically?

No. Changes made to the domain registration and DNS settings are two separate matters. The DNS records determine which hosting or email service the domain directs visitors and emails to. If the location of the services remains the same, the steps required may differ from those involved in the migration to a new hosting provider. Before making the change, make a note of your current DNS settings and the accounts affected.

Hosting the website’s files and keeping the site running requires separate hosting, which is a different process from domain registration. The continuity of email accounts and email settings must also be arranged separately. aWh offers both web hosting and email hosting, and with its free migration service, it also helps with the transfer of your existing website and email accounts. The migration is a separate process from the transfer of domain ownership.

Things to do before and after a transfer: how to prepare for the switch

A smooth handover depends on more than just the accuracy of the registration details. You should also clarify in advance the responsibilities of the people in charge of the website, the DNS server settings and email. This ensures that a change in the domain holder does not lead to any confusion about who has access to the various services and who carries out the necessary checks.

What should the transferor and the transferee prepare?

The transferor should compare the domain name and the user details listed in the registry with their own current details. Please also check that the contact email address is correct, as notifications or requests for approval may be sent to this address during the process. If you find any discrepancies, please clarify which details need to be corrected before proceeding.

The transferee should prepare the applicant’s details and check that they meet the conditions for .hu domains. Together with the transferor, ensure that the same domain name appears in all applications and related agreements. Please submit the necessary declarations and documents in accordance with the procedure in force at the time of processing; do not base your submission on a previous case or a different type of domain.

• Transfer: check the domain name, the registered user details and the contact information.
• Recipient: please check the applicant’s details and ensure you are prepared to meet the required conditions.
• The person managing the web services: identify where the DNS data, web hosting and email are managed.

How can you ensure the continuity of your website and email services?

Before carrying out the registration process, make a note of who has access to the DNS settings, web hosting and email accounts. These may involve different control panels and access levels. Transferring a domain does not, in itself, transfer the website files, move email accounts or automatically change the provider of the associated services.

If your website or email service is being moved to another provider, plan the migration process carefully. Agree on who will amend the DNS settings, who will check that the website is accessible, and who will test sending and receiving emails. Transfer access details securely, then review who needs to retain access to the accounts. Finally, check that the domain points to the correct website and that email is working.

It is worth taking a separate look at the functions of domains and hosting. Take a look at aWh’s domain registration options, as well as its web hosting and email solutions, if you’d like to organise the management of these related services too.

After a domain transfer: the next steps and aWh’s domain solutions

Once the registration change has been finalised, please check the domain holder’s details and the functionality of the associated services separately. A successful transfer indicates that the domain holder has changed, but does not in itself confirm that the DNS settings, the website and email services are also in the desired state. If these are also affected by the change, a technical check should be the next step in the process.

What should you check after a registration change?

Start by checking whether the new user’s details are actually listed in the registry and whether the domain name exactly matches the name provided. Next, clarify who manages the DNS server settings. Check that the domain points to the desired website and that the email settings are linked to the correct service.

If you are changing your hosting or email service, check the availability of your website and your email service separately. Test important pages and forms, and for email, try sending and receiving messages. A functioning homepage does not guarantee that email is working properly. If you do not manage the settings yourself, designate someone to carry out the tests.

After a domain transfer, it is also important to organise access rights. You should only amend or revoke the previous user’s access rights once you have clarified which accounts are still required for operations. By ensuring a secure handover of access rights and reviewing unnecessary permissions, you can minimise administrative uncertainty later on.

When should you choose aWh for your domain registration?

If, after completing the necessary formalities, you wish to register a new domain or manage multiple domains, aWh offers registration for a range of domain extensions. Registration of .hu domains takes place with immediate activation. This service applies to the registration of new domains, not to the transfer of existing domains.

aWh’s automated administration approach helps to ensure the domain registration process is managed efficiently. When selecting web hosting and email services associated with your domain, please bear in mind that whilst these are linked, they may require separate configurations.

If you’re looking to register a domain, take a look at aWh’s domain solutions and choose the next step that best suits your needs.

Plan the next stage for your domain

Transferring a domain is a good opportunity to review not only the registration details but also the management of the associated services. Decide who is responsible for the DNS settings, the website and email, then securely transfer the necessary access rights. This will ensure that it remains clear in future who is authorised to make changes and who is responsible for monitoring the services.

If you need a new domain, aWh offers registration for a range of domain extensions. Registration of .hu domains is activated immediately. This registration service is separate from the transfer of usage rights. By choosing the right domain and clarifying responsibilities, you can make the management of your online presence more transparent.

Take a look at aWh’s domain registration options and choose the next step that best suits your needs.

Frequently asked questions about domain transfers

What is the difference between a domain transfer and a registrar change?

In the case of a transfer, the domain holder changes, whilst in the case of a registrar change, the provider managing the domain changes. Before submitting your request, please clarify who is currently listed as the domain holder and who the new domain holder will be. If you only wish to change providers, please do not confuse this request with a change of domain holder, as these are different processes.

Can a domain be transferred without payment?

Yes, the right to use a domain can be transferred without any consideration. The parties must clarify whether the transfer applies only to the domain, or whether it also covers other access rights, content and services. These are listed separately so that it remains clear at a later date which accounts and data the transferee will have access to. The payment of consideration does not replace the registration formalities.

Does the domain’s expiry date change when it is transferred?

The transfer does not change the expiry date of the .hu domain. The transferee should therefore continue to keep track of the original expiry date even after the registration change, and clarify who will be responsible for monitoring notifications relating to the maintenance of the domain. This is particularly important if the contact address or the person responsible for administration also changes.

Does a domain transfer automatically transfer the website and email accounts?

No. Transferring the use of a domain does not grant access to the hosting control panel or email accounts. If these are also part of the transfer, please make separate arrangements regarding the accounts, access rights and data management. With regard to email, also clarify whether it is necessary to retain previous messages. Transfer access details securely and review previous access rights.

What documents are required to transfer a domain?

The documents required depend on the domain transfer procedure. For a ‘Faktoros’ domain, the current domain holder’s ‘Faktoros’ approval or an authorisation code is required. For domains protected by a deed, a statement from the current domain holder regarding the transfer, set out in a private or public deed with full probative force, as well as the new applicant’s domain application in accordance with DRSZ 1.2.2. Before submitting your application, please review the current requirements and check that the domain name and the parties’ details are correct.

How long does a domain transfer take?

The duration of the process depends on the domain registration procedure and the processing of the application; therefore, it is not possible to provide a time estimate that applies to all cases. Missing approvals or the need to clarify details may require further steps. Please plan the process so that there is time to rectify any omissions and to check the related web services.

What happens to the .hu domain after the transfer?

After the registration transfer, please check that the user details are displayed correctly and that the new contact person can access the account used to manage the registration. Review the access rights of the previous administrator and retain only those that are necessary for continued operation. The domain holder will change; however, please check the DNS settings, the website and the email separately.

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