How to Transfer a Domain From Network Solutions to Namecheap
The exact, ICANN-compliant steps — unlock at Network Solutions, grab the authorization code, and bring the domain into Namecheap. Mechanics grounded in each registrar's own documentation.
To move a domain from Network Solutions to Namecheap: unlock it at Network Solutions, request the authorization (auth/EPP) code, then start the transfer at Namecheap 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.
Step 1 — At Network Solutions: unlock and get the auth code
First, clear the prerequisites: unlock the domain (remove the transfer lock), confirm the registrant whois email is correct — the auth code is sent there.
- Request the authorization code — Network Solutions emails it to the registrant address within 24 hours
- Copy and paste the code (it is case-sensitive) into your new registrar rather than typing it
Step 2 — At Namecheap: start the transfer
- •Registered at least 60 days ago and not transferred in the last 60 days (ICANN rule)
- •Unlock the domain and have its authorization (auth/EPP) code ready
A transfer renews the domain for one year at Namecheap's price (Namecheap pricing is sample/preview on this site pending verification — check Namecheap for the current figure).
The transfer adds one year to your registration (standard for most gTLDs), so you don't lose remaining time.
Source: Namecheap transfer documentation.
The full transfer process, step by step
These steps apply to every gTLD transfer between ICANN-accredited registrars, including Network Solutions → Namecheap.
- 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 Namecheap
We have not yet hands-on scored Network Solutions, so we don't publish a side-by-side score comparison here. Namecheap scores 8.6/10 overall in our testing — see its full review and the Network Solutions facts page for what we've verified.
Namecheap is one of the registrars we have hands-on tested and verified pricing for — a solid destination for a domain leaving Network Solutions. Scores use the same methodology applied site-wide.
FAQ
How long does transferring from Network Solutions to Namecheap take?+
Will I lose the time left on my registration?+
Can I transfer a domain I just registered at Network Solutions?+
Is WHOIS privacy included after I move to Namecheap?+
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.