Can I Transfer My Domain to Squarespace? Full Guide

Can You Transfer a Domain to Squarespace?

Yes. Squarespace accepts domain transfers from most third-party registrars including GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, and others. It doesn't matter whether you're on a Squarespace trial, a paid plan, or don't have a Squarespace site yet. You can initiate a domain transfer at any time.

Once the transfer completes, your domain is fully managed within Squarespace. Renewals, DNS settings, WHOIS records, and SSL certificates are all handled from your Squarespace account. You won't need to log in to your old registrar for anything domain-related after the transfer finishes.

Is Your Domain Eligible for Transfer?

Before starting the transfer process, run through these eligibility requirements:

• TLD must be on Squarespace's supported list. Common TLDs like .com, .net, .org, .co, and .io are supported. Country-specific TLDs (like .co.uk or .com.au) have variable support. Check Squarespace's current supported TLD list before starting, as the list changes when new extensions are added.
• Domain must be at least 60 days old. ICANN policy prohibits transfers for domains registered within the last 60 days. This applies to the original registration date, not the date you purchased it from a secondary marketplace.
• Domain must be active with your current registrar and not expired.
• Domain must not be locked. Most registrars lock domains by default to prevent unauthorized transfers. You must unlock it before requesting the transfer.
• Domain must not have more than 9 years remaining on its current registration. ICANN doesn't allow registrations exceeding 10 years total, and the transfer adds a year.
• Subdomains cannot be transferred (e.g., blog.yourdomain.com -- only the root domain transfers).
• Domains containing "squarespace" or "sqsp" cannot be transferred.
• Registry premium domains are not eligible for transfer.

If your domain fails any of these checks, you can still connect it to Squarespace via DNS for free. See the section below on connecting vs. transferring.

How Much Does a Squarespace Domain Transfer Cost?

The transfer itself is technically free. What you're paying for is a mandatory one-year registration extension that ICANN requires with every transfer. This year gets added on top of whatever time you have remaining, so you're not losing any registration time.

Typical pricing by TLD:

• .com -- around $20 to $30
• .net / .org -- around $20 to $35
• .co -- around $30 to $40
• .io -- around $50 to $70

Squarespace shows the exact cost during the transfer process before you pay. If the transfer fails for any reason, you get a full automatic refund.

How to Transfer Your Domain to Squarespace

Step 1 -- Prepare Your Domain at Your Current Registrar

Start at your current registrar before touching Squarespace:

• Confirm your domain is at least 60 days old.
• Unlock your domain. Log in to your registrar's account, find the domain, and disable the "Registrar Lock" or "Transfer Lock" setting.
• Get your EPP/authorization code. This is a unique code your registrar provides to authorize the transfer. It's sometimes called the "auth code" or "transfer code." Request it from your registrar's support portal or account settings.
• If your registrar has DNSSEC enabled on the domain, disable it before transferring. Squarespace doesn't support DNSSEC on transferred domains initially.
• Screenshot your current DNS records. This is critical if you use custom email (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail, etc.). You'll need to re-add MX records, TXT records, and any other custom entries after the transfer completes.
• Contact your domain provider to confirm that changing WHOIS contact information won't trigger a 60-day transfer lock.

Step 2 -- Initiate the Transfer in Squarespace

With your EPP code in hand:

1. Log in to your Squarespace account.
2. Go to Settings > Domains.
3. Click Use a Domain I Own, then select Transfer to Squarespace.
4. Enter your domain name.
5. Enter your EPP authorization code when prompted.
6. Review the transfer cost and complete payment.

After payment, your current registrar sends a confirmation email to the domain's WHOIS contact email address. Approve the transfer request from that email. This is the step that actually starts the transfer clock.

Step 3 -- Wait for the Transfer to Complete

Transfer speed depends on your current registrar. Some registrars release the domain within 24 hours after you approve the confirmation email. Others hold it for the full ICANN-allowed maximum of 15 days. Most transfers finish within 5 to 7 days.

During the transfer, your domain and website continue to function normally. Don't change your DNS settings or sign up for Google Workspace until the transfer is fully complete.

Step 4 -- Re-Add Custom DNS Records

After the transfer finishes, check your Squarespace DNS panel. If you use custom email, verify that your MX records transferred correctly. In many cases, custom records like MX, CNAME, and TXT entries are not carried over automatically. This is why the screenshot from Step 1 matters.

Go to Settings > Domains > [Your Domain] > DNS Settings in Squarespace to add any missing records.

Registrar-Specific Tips

The general process is the same across registrars, but each one has quirks worth knowing about:

Transferring from GoDaddy

• If you purchased Domain Privacy or Ownership Protection, you must disable it before transferring. GoDaddy won't release the domain otherwise.
• Find the EPP code under My Products > Domains > [Domain] > Transfer domain away from GoDaddy.
• GoDaddy usually releases domains within 5 to 7 days after approval.

Transferring from Namecheap

• Go to Domain List > Manage > Sharing & Transfer to unlock the domain and get the auth code.
• Namecheap sends the EPP code to your account email. Check spam if you don't see it.
• Namecheap typically releases domains faster than GoDaddy, often within 1 to 3 days.

Former Google Domains Users

Google Domains was acquired by Squarespace in 2023. If your domain was originally registered through Google Domains, it's already hosted by Squarespace. You don't need to transfer it. Log in to your Squarespace account to manage it directly. If you haven't claimed your migrated domains yet, look for the migration email from Squarespace.

Will My Email Stop Working During the Transfer?

This is the most common concern, and it's valid. If you use a custom email address tied to your domain (like you@yourdomain.com through Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or another provider), the transfer can disrupt email delivery if your MX records aren't preserved.

Here's what usually happens:

• During the transfer (1 to 15 days): your email should continue working because DNS records typically stay with the old registrar until the transfer finalizes.
• Right after the transfer: this is the danger zone. Squarespace may not carry over your MX records automatically. If the MX records disappear, incoming emails will bounce.
• Fix: as soon as the transfer completes, log into Squarespace's DNS panel and re-add your MX records (and any SPF/DKIM TXT records). If you took a screenshot before starting, this takes about two minutes.

If you're worried about even brief email downtime, consider connecting your domain via DNS instead of transferring. Connecting doesn't change your registrar, so your MX records stay untouched.

Troubleshooting Common Transfer Problems

Transfers don't always go smoothly. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them:

• "Domain is locked" -- Go back to your current registrar and disable the transfer lock. Some registrars re-lock domains after a period of inactivity, so check again if you unlocked it days ago.
• "Authorization code is invalid" -- EPP codes can expire. Request a fresh one from your registrar and try again immediately.
• "TLD not supported" -- Your domain extension isn't on Squarespace's supported list. The only option is to connect the domain via DNS instead of transferring.
• Transfer stuck for more than 7 days -- Check your email (including spam) for the registrar confirmation email. The transfer can't proceed until you approve it. If you already approved, contact your current registrar, as they may be delaying the release.
• Transfer denied by current registrar -- Some registrars deny transfers if the domain was recently renewed, if there's a dispute, or if an add-on protection product is still active. Contact their support to find out the specific reason.
• "Domain has been transferred within the last 60 days" -- ICANN's 60-day rule applies to transfers too, not just new registrations. Wait until 60 days have passed since the last transfer.

If a transfer fails, Squarespace automatically refunds the registration fee. You can retry immediately after fixing the issue.

How to Cancel a Domain Transfer to Squarespace

If you started a transfer and changed your mind, you have a window to cancel it. The cancellation process depends on how far along the transfer is:

• Before you approve the confirmation email: Simply don't approve the email from your current registrar. The transfer request will expire on its own, usually within 5 to 7 days.
• After approval but before completion: Contact Squarespace support and ask them to cancel the pending transfer. They can reject the transfer on their end, which sends the domain back to your current registrar. You'll receive a full refund automatically.
• After the transfer completes: The domain is now registered with Squarespace. You can transfer it away to another registrar at any point. There's no penalty, but the normal transfer process and costs apply. You'll need to wait 60 days from the completion date before initiating another transfer.

If you're canceling because the transfer is stuck or failing, see the troubleshooting section above first. Many apparent "stuck" transfers are just waiting for you to approve the confirmation email.

Transfer vs. Connect: Which Should You Choose?

If your domain doesn't meet transfer eligibility (for example, it was registered less than 60 days ago), you can connect your domain to Squarespace via DNS instead. But even if your domain is eligible, connecting might be the better choice depending on your situation.

Choose transfer if:

• You want everything in one account (domain, site, billing, SSL)
• You plan to stay on Squarespace long-term
• You don't use complex DNS setups with many custom records

Choose connect (DNS) if:

• You want to keep your domain at its current registrar (maybe for better pricing or features)
• You use custom email and don't want to risk MX record disruption
• Your domain isn't eligible for transfer yet
• You're testing Squarespace and might switch platforms later

Connecting is free and takes 24 to 72 hours to propagate. To connect a domain, go to Domains in Squarespace, click Use a Domain I Own, and follow the DNS instructions provided. You'll update your domain's nameservers or add specific DNS records at your current registrar.

For a deeper look at getting started, see our complete guide to how to use Squarespace.