How to Transfer a Domain from Namecheap to DreamHost (Step-by-Step)

Transferring your domain from Namecheap to DreamHost consolidates domain management with your hosting provider, simplifying administration and potentially saving time. This comprehensive guide provides detailed, Namecheap-specific instructions for transferring your domain registration to DreamHost in 2025.

Should You Transfer from Namecheap to DreamHost?

Before transferring, consider whether consolidation makes sense for your situation.

Reasons to Transfer

Simplified management: Managing domains and hosting in one place reduces complexity, especially if you're already hosting with DreamHost.

Unified billing: Single invoice for both hosting and domain registration simplifies accounting and payment management.

Integrated support: One support team handles both hosting and domain issues, streamlining troubleshooting.

Free WHOIS privacy: DreamHost includes free privacy protection, whereas Namecheap charges for WhoisGuard on some TLDs.

Reasons to Keep Your Domain at Namecheap

Better renewal pricing: Namecheap typically offers more competitive renewal rates than DreamHost, especially for .com domains.

Superior domain management: Namecheap specializes in domains and offers more advanced DNS features, dynamic DNS, and premium DNS options.

Already competitive: Namecheap is already one of the most affordable, reliable registrars—transferring may not provide significant benefits.

Separation of services: Keeping domains separate from hosting provides redundancy and risk management.

Cost Comparison: Namecheap vs. DreamHost

5-year cost comparison (.com domain):

Verdict: Namecheap is cheaper long-term. Transferring to DreamHost costs an additional $15.15 over 5 years.

Our recommendation: Unless you strongly value having everything in one account, keep your domain at Namecheap (better prices) and point it to DreamHost hosting (better performance). This gives you the best of both worlds.

Still want to transfer? Use Namr to compare renewal rates across 20+ registrars before committing. You might find even better pricing elsewhere.

Transfer Requirements and Eligibility

Namecheap Transfer Checklist

Before initiating a transfer, ensure your domain meets these requirements:

✅ Domain registered with Namecheap for at least 60 days ✅ No transfers in the last 60 days ✅ No registrant contact changes in last 60 days ✅ Domain is not expired (must have 7+ days until expiration) ✅ Domain is unlocked in Namecheap account ✅ You have the EPP/authorization code from Namecheap ✅ Access to the registrant email address ✅ No outstanding balance on Namecheap account

ICANN 60-Day Transfer Lock

ICANN enforces a mandatory 60-day transfer lock after:

• Initial domain registration
• Previous domain transfer
• Registrant contact information changes (name, organization, or email)

Planning tip: If you need to update registrant information, do so AFTER transferring to avoid delays.

Supported Domain Extensions

DreamHost accepts most common domain extensions:

Fully supported:

• .com, .net, .org, .info, .biz
• .us, .co, .io, .me
• Most country-code TLDs (ccTLDs)

Verify with DreamHost support for less common extensions or specialty TLDs.

Transfer Costs and Timeline

Pricing

DreamHost transfer cost: $15.99 (includes 1-year extension)

What's included:

• 1-year domain registration extension
• Free WHOIS privacy protection
• Free DNS management
• Free email forwarding

Comparison:

• Namecheap renewal: $13.98/year (cheaper)
• DreamHost renewal: $15.99/year (after transfer)

Net cost over time: Transferring costs $2.01 more per year than staying at Namecheap.

Transfer Timeline

Expected duration: 5-7 days Fastest possible: 3 days (with immediate approval) Maximum: 10 days

Timeline breakdown:

• Day 1: Unlock domain and get EPP code from Namecheap
• Day 1: Initiate transfer at DreamHost
• Day 1-2: Receive approval email from Namecheap
• Day 1-2: Approve transfer (or wait for auto-approval)
• Day 3-7: Transfer processes and completes
• Day 7: Receive confirmation from DreamHost

Expedite the process: Approve the transfer immediately in your Namecheap account rather than waiting for the 5-day auto-approval period.

Step-by-Step: Transfer Domain from Namecheap to DreamHost

Step 1: Prepare Your Namecheap Domain

Before initiating the transfer at DreamHost, prepare your domain in Namecheap.

Log Into Namecheap

1. Visit Namecheap.com
2. Click Sign In (top right)
3. Enter your username and password
4. Complete two-factor authentication if enabled

Access Domain Management

1. Click Domain List in the left sidebar
2. Find the domain you want to transfer
3. Click Manage next to the domain

You're now on the domain management page for your specific domain.

Unlock Your Domain

Namecheap locks domains by default to prevent unauthorized transfers.

To unlock:

1. On the domain management page, scroll to Sharing & Transfer
2. Find Transfer Lock
3. Toggle to Unlock (or click the lock icon to unlock)
4. Confirm the unlock action

Visual confirmation: The lock icon should change to an unlocked state, and status should show "Unlocked."

Important: Leave the domain unlocked throughout the transfer process. Don't re-lock it until after the transfer completes.

Obtain EPP/Authorization Code

The EPP code (also called authorization code or auth code) authorizes the transfer.

To get your EPP code:

1. On the domain management page, scroll to Sharing & Transfer
2. Find Auth Code or EPP Code
3. Click Get EPP Code or Show
4. Namecheap displays the code immediately on-screen
5. Copy the code to your clipboard or write it down

Alternative method:

1. Click Share in the Sharing & Transfer section
2. Select Get EPP Code
3. Code displays on screen

Example EPP code format: Ab#9Xm2$pQr8LkNz

Security: Treat the EPP code like a password. Anyone with this code can transfer your domain.

Namecheap advantage: Unlike some registrars, Namecheap shows the EPP code immediately without emailing it, speeding up the process.

Verify Contact Email Address

Transfer approval emails are sent to the registrant email in your WHOIS information.

To verify:

1. On the domain management page, go to Contacts
2. Check the Registrant Contact email address
3. Ensure this email is current and accessible
4. Update if necessary (but this triggers a 60-day lock)

Check WHOIS data: Visit who.is and enter your domain to see public contact information.

If WhoisGuard is enabled: Namecheap uses a forwarding email. Verify you have access to the original email behind the privacy service.

Disable WhoisGuard (Usually Not Required)

Most transfers work with WhoisGuard enabled. However, if your transfer fails, try temporarily disabling it.

To disable WhoisGuard:

1. On the domain management page, find WhoisGuard
2. Toggle to Disabled or Off
3. Confirm the change

Re-enable after transfer: Once the transfer completes at DreamHost, enable free WHOIS privacy in your DreamHost panel.

Document DNS Settings

Before transferring, save your current DNS configuration.

To export DNS:

1. On the domain management page, click Advanced DNS
2. Take a screenshot of all DNS records
3. Note all A records, CNAME records, MX records, and TXT records
4. Save this information for reference

Why this matters: DNS settings usually transfer, but occasionally they reset. Having a backup lets you quickly restore functionality if needed.

Step 2: Initiate Transfer at DreamHost

With your Namecheap domain prepared, begin the transfer at DreamHost.

Access DreamHost Transfer Page

1. Log into your DreamHost panel
2. Navigate to Domains → Registrations
3. Click Transfer a Domain Registration to DreamHost

Alternative path: Go to Domains → Domain Registrations → Transfer to Us tab

Enter Domain Name

1. In the domain field, enter your domain (e.g., example.com)
2. For multiple domains, enter one per line
3. Click Request Transfer

DreamHost checks eligibility and displays available options.

Enter EPP/Authorization Code

1. On the next page, enter the EPP code from Namecheap
2. Paste carefully to avoid extra spaces
3. Click Continue

Common mistake: Copying spaces before or after the code. Paste into a text editor first to verify clean code.

Complete Registrant Information

Enter domain owner contact information:

Required:

• First Name and Last Name
• Organization (if applicable)
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Street Address
• City, State/Province, Postal Code, Country

Best practice: Match your Namecheap registrant information exactly to avoid complications.

Review and Pay

1. Review transfer details:
   • Domain name
   • Transfer fee ($15.99)
   • 1-year extension included
2. Enter payment information
3. Review Terms of Service
4. Click Process Transfer

You'll receive an email receipt confirming payment and transfer initiation.

Step 3: Approve Transfer at Namecheap

Shortly after initiating the transfer, Namecheap sends an approval email.

Check Email for Approval Request

Email subject: "Transfer Approved: [yourdomain.com]" or "Domain Transfer Confirmation" From: Namecheap ([email protected])

Email includes:

• Domain being transferred
• New registrar (DreamHost)
• Instructions to approve or cancel
• Link to approve transfer

Check spam folder if you don't see the email within a few hours.

Approve Transfer in Namecheap Account (Recommended)

For fastest approval, log into your Namecheap account:

1. Go to Namecheap.com and log in
2. Navigate to Domain List
3. You'll see a notification about the pending transfer
4. Click Approve Transfer or View Details
5. Confirm the approval

Alternative: Click the approval link in the email from Namecheap.

Auto-Approval Option

If you don't respond, Namecheap automatically approves transfers after 5 days.

Pros: No action required Cons: Adds 5 days to the transfer timeline

Recommendation: Approve immediately for fastest transfer (3-5 days total).

Step 4: Wait for Transfer Completion

After approval, the transfer processes automatically.

What happens during this period:

• Your website remains online
• Email continues functioning
• DNS settings remain active
• Domain is fully accessible

Typical completion time: 24-48 hours after approval

No action required from you during processing.

Step 5: Confirm Transfer Completion

DreamHost sends a confirmation email when the transfer finishes.

Email subject: "Domain Transfer Complete for [yourdomain.com]"

Email confirms:

• Successful transfer to DreamHost
• New expiration date (1 year added)
• Domain management instructions

Verify in DreamHost panel:

1. Log into DreamHost panel
2. Go to Domains → Registrations
3. Confirm domain appears in the list
4. Verify expiration date extended by 1 year

Success! Your domain is now registered with DreamHost.

Step 6: Post-Transfer Configuration

Optimize your domain settings after transfer.

Enable WHOIS Privacy

DreamHost includes free privacy protection:

1. Go to Domains → Registrations
2. Click Edit next to your domain
3. Toggle WHOIS Privacy to Enabled
4. Click Save Changes

Your personal information is now hidden from public WHOIS databases.

Verify DNS Settings

Ensure DNS transferred correctly:

1. Go to Domains → Manage Domains
2. Click DNS next to your domain
3. Compare with the screenshot from Namecheap
4. Verify all records are intact:
   • A records (website hosting)
   • MX records (email)
   • CNAME records (subdomains)
   • TXT records (verification, SPF, DKIM)

If records are missing: Add them manually using your Namecheap DNS screenshot as reference.

Set Up Auto-Renewal

Prevent accidental expiration:

1. Go to Domains → Registrations
2. Click Edit next to your domain
3. Enable Auto-Renew
4. Verify payment method is current
5. Click Save Changes

Lock Your Domain

Protect against unauthorized transfers:

1. Go to Domains → Registrations
2. Click Edit next to your domain
3. Enable Transfer Lock
4. Click Save Changes

Best practice: Keep domains locked when not actively transferring.

Troubleshooting Namecheap Transfer Issues

Transfer Rejected: "Domain is Locked"

Solution:

1. Log into Namecheap
2. Go to Domain List → Manage
3. Under Sharing & Transfer, unlock the domain
4. Wait 10 minutes for the unlock to process
5. Re-initiate transfer at DreamHost

EPP Code Not Working

Common issues:

• Extra spaces before/after code
• Code typed instead of copied (typos)
• Wrong code for wrong domain (if transferring multiple)

Solution:

1. In Namecheap, get a fresh EPP code
2. Paste into a text editor to remove hidden characters
3. Copy only the code (no spaces)
4. Paste into DreamHost transfer form

Transfer Pending for 7+ Days

Cause: You haven't approved in Namecheap, waiting for auto-approval.

Solution:

1. Log into Namecheap
2. Check for pending transfer notification
3. Approve the transfer immediately
4. Transfer completes within 24-48 hours

Website Went Offline After Transfer

Cause: DNS records didn't transfer or were reset.

Solution:

1. Check your Namecheap DNS screenshot
2. In DreamHost panel, go to Domains → Manage Domains → DNS
3. Add missing A record pointing to your hosting IP
4. Wait 4-48 hours for DNS propagation

Find your hosting IP: Contact your hosting provider or check before transferring.

Email Stopped Working After Transfer

Cause: MX records missing or incorrect.

Solution:

1. Check your Namecheap DNS screenshot for original MX records
2. In DreamHost panel, add MX records:
   • Google Workspace: ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM (priority 1)
   • Microsoft 365: yourdomain-com.mail.protection.outlook.com
   • Namecheap Private Email: Check Namecheap documentation
3. Wait 4-24 hours for DNS propagation

Alternative: Point Your Namecheap Domain to DreamHost

Instead of transferring registration, you can point your Namecheap domain to DreamHost hosting. This keeps your domain at Namecheap (better pricing) while hosting with DreamHost (better performance).

Benefits of Pointing vs. Transferring

Advantages:

• Lower long-term costs – Namecheap renewal rates are cheaper
• Superior domain tools – Namecheap specializes in domains
• Service separation – Hosting and domains remain independent
• Instant setup – No 5-7 day transfer wait

How to point your domain:

1. Log into Namecheap
2. Go to Domain List → Manage → Advanced DNS
3. Update A record to point to DreamHost's IP address
4. Update MX records if using DreamHost email
5. DNS changes propagate within 4-48 hours

See our detailed guide: How to Point Your Domain to DreamHost

Our recommendation: For most users, pointing makes more financial sense than transferring when your current registrar is Namecheap.

Cost-Benefit Analysis: Should You Transfer?

When Transferring Makes Sense

Transfer if:

• You strongly prefer unified management
• You're consolidating multiple services at DreamHost
• You find Namecheap's interface confusing
• You want single support for both hosting and domains
• The $15 extra cost over 5 years doesn't matter to you

When Keeping at Namecheap Makes Sense

Don't transfer if:

• You care about lowest cost (Namecheap is cheaper)
• You value Namecheap's superior domain features
• You prefer separation of hosting and registration
• You might switch hosting providers in the future
• You manage many domains (Namecheap's bulk tools are better)

Financial reality: Keeping your domain at Namecheap and pointing it to DreamHost hosting saves $15.15 over 5 years while maintaining flexibility.

Better than both: Check Namr for even cheaper registrars like Porkbun ($10.14/year renewal), saving $29+ over 5 years compared to DreamHost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my website go down during transfer?

No. Domain registration transfers don't affect website hosting. Your site remains online throughout the transfer as long as DNS settings transfer correctly or you have them documented to restore if needed.

How long does a Namecheap to DreamHost transfer take?

Typical transfers complete in 5-7 days. With immediate approval at Namecheap, completion can happen in 3-5 days. Maximum duration is 10 days.

Do I need to disable WhoisGuard before transferring?

Usually not. Most transfers work with WhoisGuard enabled. Only disable it if the transfer fails, then try again.

Will I lose my remaining registration time?

No. Domain transfers extend your registration by 1 year from the current expiration date. If your domain expires in 2026, it will expire in 2027 after transfer.

Can I transfer multiple domains at once?

Yes. DreamHost's transfer form accepts multiple domain names (one per line). Each domain transfers independently.

What if my domain is about to expire?

Renew it at Namecheap before transferring. Don't transfer expiring domains—they may be lost during the process.

Can I transfer back to Namecheap later?

Yes, but you must wait 60 days after transferring to DreamHost. ICANN enforces this mandatory lock period.

Is transferring refundable?

Generally no. Domain registration fees (including transfers) are typically non-refundable. Transfer only if you're certain.

Conclusion: Transfer or Point?

Transferring your domain from Namecheap to DreamHost simplifies management but costs slightly more long-term. The process is straightforward and completes in 5-7 days.

Key takeaways: ✅ Unlock domain and get EPP code from Namecheap ✅ Initiate transfer at DreamHost with EPP code ✅ Approve immediately at Namecheap for fastest completion ✅ Verify DNS and enable privacy after transfer ✅ Consider costs – Namecheap renewals are cheaper long-term

Cost reality: Namecheap is cheaper by $15 over 5 years. Unless you strongly value consolidated management, pointing your Namecheap domain to DreamHost hosting provides better value than transferring registration.

Best of both worlds: Keep your domain at Namecheap (low cost, great features) and host with DreamHost (reliable performance). This combination maximizes value.

Want the absolute best price? Use Namr to compare renewal rates across 20+ registrars. You might find even better deals than Namecheap while still benefiting from DreamHost hosting.

Ready to proceed? Whether transferring or pointing, you now have the complete roadmap for connecting your Namecheap domain with DreamHost hosting.