Domain transfers FAQ

This guide answers common questions about transferring a domain to Squarespace.

Is my domain eligible to transfer to Squarespace?

Before starting the transfer process, ensure your domain meets these requirements from Squarespace and ICANN, the organization that oversees domain registration:

• Your domain’s TLD must be supported by Squarespace.
• Your domain must be unlocked.
• Sixty days must have elapsed since you registered or transferred the domain with your current provider.

We also recommend reviewing your domain’s account settings with your current provider to ensure that nothing will be disrupted by transferring, such as email or other add-ons.

For the full list of requirements and details, visit Transferring a domain to Squarespace.

How long will the transfer take?

Domain transfer speed depends on your current domain provider. Some domains transfer within one day, while others can take closer to 15 days to complete. To learn more, visit Domain transfer timing.

How much does transferring cost?

The transfer is free, but ICANN requires a one-year extension of your domain registration, which you’ll purchase through Squarespace. You'll keep the time remaining on your current registration, plus an additional year.

For example, if you have six months left on your registration with your original provider and you transfer your domain to Squarespace, your domain will be set to renew in 18 months. Your renewal date will be the same as it was with your previous host, plus one year.   

At the transfer checkout page, you’ll see the fee for this one year of domain service. The fee is based on your domain’s TLD. If you’re eligible for a free Squarespace Domain, you won’t be charged for the first additional year.

Your domain may be subject to state and local sales taxes. If the fee is subject to tax, you’ll see it added at checkout. To learn more, visit our guides on taxes in the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, or Australia.

You can also verify the domain’s new renewal date at the checkout page, or at any time in your Domains panel. Squarespace Domains are charged 15 days in advance of the listed renewal date.

Note: Domains ending in .co.uk and .uk have different pricing rules for transferring to Squarespace.

Should I transfer my domain or connect it?

For most users, we recommend transferring your domain to Squarespace. This way, you can manage all aspects of your site in one place, without needing a separate domain service. However, if your domain isn’t eligible for transfer, or if you need to keep it hosted with your current provider, connecting can be a useful alternative.

To learn more, visit Transferring vs. connecting domains.

Will the free domain offer still apply to me?

If you’re transferring to a website that’s on an annual plan and you’re using an eligible TLD, you can redeem the free domain offer during the transfer. When you confirm the transfer on Squarespace, you’ll see the credit in the order summary.

Note that the domain credit won't apply if you switch to an annual plan while the domain transfer is still pending.

Will my domain include SSL?

Yes, as long as you've already enabled SSL for your site. After your transfer is complete, we'll issue an SSL certificate for your new Squarespace Domain.

Will my website content transfer with the domain?

No. Transferring your domain only moves your domain hosting and related DNS settings to Squarespace. Your site content stays hosted with your website provider.

If you’re moving your current website to Squarespace, review Moving an existing site to Squarespace before transferring your domain.

Will my email transfer with my domain?

If you have a custom email address hosted with your domain provider, you can transfer your email account’s MX records to Squarespace while transferring your domain. This keeps your email account hosted with your current email provider and linked to your domain on Squarespace. You’ll still manage your email account with your original provider.

To stop using your email provider and move your email account to Squarespace, you can create a G Suite account that’s managed through your Squarespace site. After transferring your domain, follow our steps for migrating your email to G Suite.

My domain is about to expire, can I still transfer it?

In most cases, you can still transfer an expired domain if it's within the expiration grace period, which is usually 30 days after expiration.

If your domain is expired or might expire during the transfer, we recommend contacting your current domain provider and asking if it's safe to transfer before you start the process.

Will I still own my domain after I transfer it?

Yes. After transferring to Squarespace, you'll still own your domain, but it'll be managed by Squarespace rather than your previous third-party provider. After the transfer is complete, your domain is officially a Squarespace Domain.

Should I keep my account with my previous domain provider?

In most cases, you can cancel your domain account with your previous provider after the transfer is complete. You'll now manage all domain settings and billing through Squarespace. We recommend contacting your provider before cancelling to ensure that you won't lose access to any special features, such as email or advanced settings.

Can I access my email during the transfer?

If you have a custom email address linked to your domain, you may experience email downtime during the transfer. If people send you emails during this downtime, the emails will bounce.

Before transferring your domain to Squarespace, we recommend contacting your current email provider to ensure that there won’t be any restrictions or issues by moving to Squarespace. We also recommend backing up any essential emails, contacts, or settings you may need. 

Can I transfer a subdomain?

It’s not possible to transfer a subdomain to Squarespace, but you can create one after transferring. There’s no cost to create a subdomain.

To use a subdomain, transfer the subdomain’s root domain, then follow our instructions for creating a Squarespace subdomain.

Why do I see my old site at my domain?

If your domain was previously linked to a different, non-Squarespace site, after ensuring your domain successfully transferred to Squarespace, you may need to clear your browser's cache to see the new site.

Why did my transfer fail?

If your domain fails to transfer, you’ll get an email from Squarespace. There are a few reasons why this might happen:

• Your domain registration information was entered incorrectly. When confirming the registration details, ensure that all required fields are correct.
• Your domain was activated with your current provider within the last 60 days.
• Your domain has more than nine years left in its registration with your current provider.
• Your original provider denied the transfer. Contact your provider for more details.

For each situation, you may want to remove the transfer before trying again. When the transfer fails we automatically refund any payment that may have gone through.

Tip: If you’re experiencing multiple issues, you may want to keep your domain hosted with your current provider and connect it to Squarespace instead.