Transferring Domain Name Registration to Amazon Route 53

This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough for transferring domain name registration from your current registrar to Amazon Route 53. Route 53, Amazon's robust and reliable DNS service, offers numerous benefits for managing your domain names.

Confirm Route 53 Supports Your Domain Name

Before proceeding, ensure that Amazon Route 53 supports the top-level domain (TLD) of your domain name. Check the list of supported domains on the Route 53 documentation. If your TLD is not listed, you cannot currently transfer registration to Route 53.

• Visit the Amazon Route 53 documentation for the list of supported TLDs.
• Confirm that your domain name's TLD is listed.
• If the TLD is not listed, you cannot transfer your domain name registration to Route 53.

Transfer DNS Service (Optional)

If you wish to make Route 53 your DNS service provider, you can transfer your DNS service before transferring the domain name registration. This ensures continuous DNS resolution during the transition.

• Consider transferring your DNS service to Route 53 if you want to use Route 53 for DNS resolution.
• If you are using a different DNS service, transferring DNS first prevents disruptions during the domain transfer.

Prepare for Domain Transfer

Before requesting the domain transfer, you need to make necessary changes with your current registrar. These steps ensure a smooth transition and prevent potential issues during the transfer process.

• Confirm the email address of the registrant contact is current.
• Unlock your domain name to allow transfer.
• Check the domain status and ensure it is eligible for transfer.
• Disable DNSSEC for the domain name. (Re-enable after the transfer is complete.)
• Obtain an authorization code from your registrar for the domain transfer.
• If required, renew the domain name registration before transferring.

Get Your Name Servers

If you are using Route 53 as your DNS service, the name servers will be automatically provided later in the process. However, if you are using a different DNS service provider, you need to obtain the names of their name servers from the provider.

• Obtain name servers from your DNS service provider if not using Route 53.
• If transferring DNS service at the same time, transfer DNS before transferring domain registration.

Request Domain Transfer

To start the transfer process, use the Route 53 console to initiate the transfer request. Route 53 handles communication with your current registrar.

• Use the Route 53 console to request the transfer.
• Enter the domain name you want to transfer.
• Provide the authorization code or IPS tag from your registrar.
• Select the desired registration period and automatic renewal options.
• Enter the required contact information (registrant, admin, tech, billing).
• Review and submit the transfer request.
• Verify the email address associated with the registrant contact.
• Pay the transfer fee if required (especially if you're an AISPL customer in India).

Authorize Domain Transfer

After submitting the transfer request, you'll receive an email confirmation. For some TLDs, you'll also receive an authorization email. Click the authorization link in the email to confirm the transfer.

• You will receive an email to confirm the transfer request.
• If required, you will receive an email to authorize the transfer (geographic TLDs).
• Click the link in the email to authorize the transfer.

Domain Transfer Completion

Once the transfer is authorized, Route 53 will begin working with your current registrar to complete the transfer. This process can take up to ten days depending on the TLD. You will receive another email when the transfer is complete.

• Route 53 initiates the transfer process with your current registrar.
• You'll receive an email notification upon successful transfer.

Update Domain Configuration (Optional)

After the domain transfer is complete, you can update the domain configuration settings as needed.

• You can update contact information, privacy settings, and other domain settings.
• Configure DNS records for the domain within the Route 53 hosted zone.