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How to Transfer a Domain From Namecheap to Cloudflare Registrar
The exact, ICANN-compliant steps — unlock at Namecheap, grab the authorization code, and bring the domain into Cloudflare Registrar. Mechanics grounded in each registrar's own documentation.
To move a domain from Namecheap to Cloudflare Registrar: unlock it at Namecheap, request the authorization (auth/EPP) code, then start the transfer at Cloudflare Registrar and pay — for most gTLDs the fee adds a year to your registration. The domain must be at least 60 days old (ICANN rule), and the move typically takes 5–7 days. On our scoring, Cloudflare Registrar rates higher for cheaper renewals and better DNS.
Cloudflare only registers/transfers a domain once its DNS zone is already active on Cloudflare — set up DNS first, transfer second.
Step 1 — At Namecheap: unlock and get the auth code
First, clear the prerequisites: unlock the domain, disable whois/domain privacy if it hides the admin email.
Unlock the domain in your Namecheap dashboard, then request its authorization (auth/EPP) code — every ICANN-accredited registrar must provide it on request. Namecheap sends or displays the code once the domain is unlocked. See Namecheap's transfer guide for the current dashboard path.
Source: Namecheap transfer documentation.
Step 2 — At Cloudflare Registrar: start the transfer
- •Your domain must already be active on a Cloudflare zone (DNS moved to Cloudflare nameservers) before you can transfer the registration
- •Registered at least 60 days ago and not transferred in the last 60 days (ICANN rule)
- •If the domain recently renewed after expiry, wait at least 45 days past the original expiry date
- •Internationalized (non-Latin) domain names are not supported; some platform-locked domains (Shopify, Wix, Block) cannot transfer directly
At-cost — Cloudflare charges the wholesale registry fee with no markup. Most transfers add one year from the current expiry; some ccTLDs (e.g. .uk) carry no transfer fee.
The transfer adds one year to your registration (standard for most gTLDs), so you don't lose remaining time.
The full transfer process, step by step
These steps apply to every gTLD transfer between ICANN-accredited registrars, including Namecheap → Cloudflare Registrar.
- 1. Confirm the domain is eligible
Under ICANN's Transfer Policy a domain can only move once it has been registered for at least 60 days and has not been transferred in the previous 60 days. A change of registrant can also start a fresh 60-day lock. A domain that recently expired and was renewed may need to wait ~45 days.
- 2. Unlock the domain
Remove the registrar/transfer lock in your current registrar's dashboard. While locked, the gaining registrar cannot pull the domain.
- 3. Disable WHOIS privacy if needed
Some registrars route the auth code or the transfer-approval email to the registrant address. If privacy masks that address, turn it off until the transfer completes.
- 4. Get the authorization code
Request the authorization code (also called the auth code, EPP code, authInfo code, or transfer code) from your current registrar. These codes are time-limited, so use one promptly.
- 5. Start the transfer at the new registrar and pay
Begin the transfer at the gaining registrar and enter the code. For most gTLDs the transfer includes a one-year renewal, so the fee is essentially one year at the new registrar's price.
- 6. Approve and wait
Approve the transfer from the confirmation email (or in-dashboard) to speed it up; otherwise it auto-completes. Transfers typically take about 5–7 days.
What you gain by moving to Cloudflare Registrar
| Category | Namecheap | Cloudflare Registrar |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 8.6 | 9.2 |
| renewals | 7.5 | 10.0 |
| DNS | 8.0 | 10.0 |
| pricing | 9.0 | 9.5 |
| WHOIS privacy | 9.5 | 9.5 |
| developer/API tooling | 8.0 | 9.5 |
| support | 9.0 | 7.0 |
Moving to Cloudflare Registrar mainly buys you cheaper renewals, better DNS, better developer/API tooling, clearer pricing. The trade-off: Namecheap still rates higher for support. Scores use the same methodology applied site-wide.
FAQ
How long does transferring from Namecheap to Cloudflare Registrar take?+
Will I lose the time left on my registration?+
Can I transfer a domain I just registered at Namecheap?+
Is WHOIS privacy included after I move to Cloudflare Registrar?+
Sources
- ICANN Transfer Policy (60-day lock, authorization code, gaining-registrar initiation, one-year add)
- GoDaddy — Transfer my domain away from GoDaddy
- Cloudflare Registrar — Transfer a domain to Cloudflare
See other moves on the switch-registrar hub.