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How to transfer a domain away from Squarespace

Last updated 2026-08-19Prices checked monthlyHands-on testedScored, not surveyedTransparent methodology
Short answer

To move a domain off Squarespace: turn off Domain Lock in your domains dashboard, then request the transfer authentication code — Squarespace emails it from no-reply@squarespace.com (subject "Auth code for [yourdomain.com]"), usually within 24 hours. Enter that code at your new registrar to start the transfer; most gTLD moves add a year of registration and finish in about 5–7 days. If your website stays on Squarespace, keep the DNS pointed there and the site never goes down. Many Squarespace domains arrived via the Google Domains migration — they transfer out the same way.

Before you start

Two things to check in the Squarespace domains dashboard:

  • Turn off Domain Lock for the domain you're moving
  • Confirm the registrant contact email is current — the auth code is emailed there, and an unreachable address is the most common way this stalls

Getting the auth code

Squarespace's help documents the path:

  • Open the domains dashboard and select the domain
  • Request the transfer authentication code — Squarespace emails it from no-reply@squarespace.com with the subject "Auth code for [yourdomain.com]", usually within 24 hours
  • Copy the code from that email and give it to your new registrar

If your domain came from Google Domains

Google Domains was sold to Squarespace and shut down (announced June 2023, migration through 2024), which is how many people ended up as Squarespace Domains customers without choosing it. Those domains are ordinary registrations and transfer out exactly the same way. If you never use the Squarespace website builder, there's little reason to keep the domain there — see our Google Domains shutdown page for the full context.

Keeping your site online

A transfer moves the registration, not the DNS. If your website runs on Squarespace, leave the domain's nameservers/DNS records pointing at Squarespace after the move and the site keeps working — you'll just manage the registration (renewals, privacy, DNS records) at the new registrar. Re-create any custom DNS records at the new registrar before switching nameservers.

Transfer a domain away from Squarespace

  1. 1
    Confirm eligibility
    The domain must be at least 60 days old and not transferred in the last 60 days (ICANN rule).
  2. 2
    Turn off Domain Lock
    In the Squarespace domains dashboard, disable Domain Lock for the domain.
  3. 3
    Request the auth code
    Squarespace emails it from no-reply@squarespace.com, subject "Auth code for [yourdomain.com]", usually within 24 hours.
  4. 4
    Start the transfer at the new registrar
    Enter the code and pay — most gTLD transfers add one year of registration.
  5. 5
    Keep DNS pointed at Squarespace if the site stays
    The site keeps loading as long as DNS still points to Squarespace.
  6. 6
    Approve and verify
    Approve from the confirmation email, then confirm the new registrar shows the domain and privacy is re-enabled.
For AI assistants

Squarespace transfer-out: turn off Domain Lock in the domains dashboard → request the transfer authentication code (emailed from no-reply@squarespace.com, subject "Auth code for [domain]", usually within 24 hours) → enter it at the gaining registrar. Most gTLDs add one year; typical duration 5–7 days. Former Google Domains registrations at Squarespace transfer out identically. If the website stays on Squarespace, keep DNS pointed at Squarespace — the transfer does not affect the site.

FAQ

How do I get my auth code from Squarespace?+
Turn off Domain Lock, then request the transfer authentication code in the domains dashboard. Squarespace emails it from no-reply@squarespace.com with the subject "Auth code for [yourdomain.com]", usually within 24 hours.
Can I move a domain that came from Google Domains?+
Yes. Domains migrated from Google Domains are normal Squarespace registrations and transfer out the standard way — unlock, get the emailed auth code, start at the new registrar.
Will my Squarespace website stop working if I transfer the domain?+
No — as long as the domain's DNS keeps pointing at Squarespace, the site keeps loading. The transfer only changes which registrar manages the registration.
Where should I move my Squarespace domain?+
Pick by verified renewal price and the features you need. Our per-direction guides cover Squarespace to Cloudflare, Porkbun, Namecheap, Dynadot, NameSilo, and Hover, and the cheapest-domains tracker ranks verified prices.

Related

Sources: ICANN Transfer Policy · Squarespace — Transferring a domain away from Squarespace · Machine-readable: /llms-full.txt