How to move your domain away from Squarespace

To transfer a Squarespace domain to another website host, you unlock the domain at Squarespace, get an authorization code from them, then point the domain's nameservers to your new host or provide that code during signup at the new host. The process takes a few days to complete because domain changes propagate across the internet's DNS system. You do not lose your domain during the transfer — it stays registered in your name the whole time, and you can keep your Squarespace website running until the new one is ready.

The exact steps depend on whether you want to keep your domain registered at Squarespace or move the registration itself to the new host. Most people move the registration too, which is simpler and gives you one place to manage everything.

Key Takeaways

  • Unlock your domain in Squarespace account settings before any transfer can happen, and check that your domain is not within 60 days of renewal or transfer.
  • Request an authorization code (also called an auth code or transfer code) from Squarespace, which you will need to give to your new host.
  • DNS changes take 24 to 48 hours to spread across the internet, so your site may be unreachable briefly during the switchover.
  • You can keep your Squarespace site live while you build on the new host, then switch traffic over once everything is working.
  • If you keep the domain registered at Squarespace and only change where it points, you manage DNS records in Squarespace's control panel instead.

Unlocking your domain at Squarespace

Before you can move your domain anywhere, you must unlock it in your Squarespace account. A locked domain cannot be transferred, even if you have the authorization code. Log into your Squarespace account, go to Settings, then Domains, find the domain you want to move, and click on it. Look for a lock icon or an option that says "Unlock domain" and toggle it on.

Squarespace will ask you to confirm your identity, usually by sending a verification email to the address on file. Check that email and click the link to complete the unlock. Once unlocked, the domain remains yours — unlocking just removes the technical barrier that prevents transfer.

Check that your domain is not within 60 days of its renewal date. Squarespace will not allow transfers during this window. If your renewal is coming up soon, you can renew early to reset the 60-day clock, but that costs money and delays your transfer.

Getting your authorization code from Squarespace

Once the domain is unlocked, request the authorization code (sometimes called an auth code, transfer code, or EPP code) from Squarespace. This is a unique string of characters that proves you own the domain and have permission to move it. Go back to the domain settings in your Squarespace account, and look for an option to "Get transfer code" or "Request authorization code." Squarespace will email it to you within a few minutes.

Save this code somewhere safe — you will need it when you sign up at your new host or when your new host asks for it during the transfer process. The code usually stays valid for 30 days, so do not wait too long to use it.

Choosing how to transfer: registration move or DNS change only

You have two paths forward. The first is to move the domain registration itself to your new host. This means your new host becomes the registrar — the company that officially manages your domain. You give them the authorization code during signup, they request the transfer from Squarespace, and after a few days the domain is registered with them instead. This is the most common route because you manage everything in one place.

The second path is to keep the domain registered at Squarespace but change the nameservers (the DNS records that tell the internet where your website lives). You do this by going back into Squarespace's domain settings and entering the nameserver addresses your new host gives you. This takes 24 to 48 hours to take effect. You keep paying Squarespace for the domain registration, but your website content lives on the new host. Choose this route only if you want to stay with Squarespace for domain management or if your new host does not support domain registration.

Transferring the domain registration to your new host

If you are moving the registration, sign up for hosting at your new provider and tell them during checkout that you want to transfer an existing domain. They will ask for your authorization code — paste it in. They will also ask for the current registrar (Squarespace) and the domain name. Some hosts charge a small transfer fee, usually $8 to $15, though many waive it for new customers.

After you submit the transfer request, Squarespace will send you an email asking you to confirm the transfer. You must click the link in that email to approve it. If you do not confirm within a set time (usually 5 to 7 days), the transfer is cancelled. Once you confirm, the transfer begins and typically completes within 24 to 48 hours.

During this time, your website may be unreachable for a few hours as DNS records update across the internet. This is normal. Your new host will have already set up the nameservers for your domain, so once the transfer is complete, traffic will route to your new site automatically.

Changing nameservers if you keep the domain at Squarespace

If you are keeping your domain registered at Squarespace, your new host will give you two or more nameserver addresses (they look like ns1.yourhost.com and ns2.yourhost.com). Go into your Squarespace domain settings, find the DNS or nameserver section, and replace Squarespace's nameservers with the ones from your new host. Save the changes.

DNS propagation takes 24 to 48 hours, though it can be faster. During this time, some visitors may still reach your old Squarespace site while others see your new one. Once propagation is complete, all traffic goes to your new host. You continue to pay Squarespace for domain registration, and you manage renewal and contact information there.

What happens to your Squarespace website during the transfer

Your Squarespace site does not automatically disappear when you transfer the domain. If you are moving the registration, Squarespace will stop serving your site once the nameservers change, but the site itself remains in your Squarespace account. You can log in and download any content you want to keep, or delete the site if you no longer need it. If you are keeping the domain at Squarespace and only changing nameservers, the same applies — your Squarespace site stays there until you decide what to do with it.

Many people keep their Squarespace site running for a few weeks after the transfer, just in case something goes wrong with the new host. Once you are confident the new site is working, you can cancel your Squarespace subscription to stop paying for it.

Troubleshooting a stuck or failed transfer

If your transfer does not complete after 48 hours, check your email for a message from Squarespace asking you to confirm. If you did not receive one, log into your Squarespace account and look for a notification about the transfer request. You may need to approve it manually.

If the transfer was rejected, common reasons include: the domain was locked again (unlock it again), the authorization code expired (request a new one), or the domain is within 60 days of renewal (wait or renew early). Contact your new host's support team if you are unsure why the transfer failed — they can often see the rejection reason in their system.

If your site goes down and stays down after the transfer, the nameservers may not have updated yet. Wait another 24 hours and try again. If it is still down, contact your new host — they can check whether the nameservers are pointing to their servers correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my email if I transfer my domain?

That depends on your email setup. If you use Squarespace's email service, you will lose access when the domain transfers unless you move your email to your new host first. If you use a third-party email provider like Google Workspace, you just update the DNS records at your new host to point to that provider, and email keeps working. Ask your new host how to set up email before you transfer.

How long does the whole transfer take?

The unlock and authorization code take minutes. The actual transfer takes 24 to 48 hours. DNS propagation takes another 24 to 48 hours. In total, plan for 2 to 4 days from start to finish. Some transfers complete faster, but assume the longer timeline so you are not surprised.

What if I change my mind and want to move back to Squarespace?

You can transfer the domain back to Squarespace the same way you moved it away — unlock it at your current host, get an authorization code, and request the transfer at Squarespace. You will pay Squarespace's registration fee, which varies by domain type. The process takes the same 2 to 4 days.

Do I have to transfer the domain to use a new website host?

No. You can keep your domain at Squarespace and just change the nameservers to point to your new host. This is simpler if you do not want to manage the domain elsewhere, but it means you have two companies to deal with if something breaks. Most people find it easier to move the registration too.

Will my website have any downtime during the transfer?

Possibly a few hours while DNS updates, but not necessarily. If your new host has the site ready before you change the nameservers, the switchover is usually seamless. If you are still building on the new host when you transfer, your site may be unreachable until the new one is finished. Plan the transfer for a time when a few hours of downtime will not hurt your business.