When transferring a domain name from another registrar to KiwiData, it is important to understand that transferring the domain registration does not automatically change where your website, email, or other services are hosted.

Your domain will normally continue using its existing DNS/name servers after the transfer. This helps prevent your website and email from suddenly going offline while you prepare the KiwiData DNS records.

Before You Transfer – Get Your EPP or UDAI Code

Before you can transfer your domain to KiwiData, you will normally need a domain transfer authorisation code from your current registrar.

Depending on the type of domain, this may be called:

• UDAI – commonly used for .nz domains

• EPP Code

• Auth Code

• Authorisation Code

• Domain Transfer Code

How Do I Get My EPP or UDAI Code?

Log in to the company where your domain is currently registered and look under the domain management or transfer settings.

There should normally be an option to request, view, or generate the domain's EPP/Auth Code or UDAI.

If you cannot find it, contact your current registrar and ask them:

"Please provide the EPP/Auth Code or UDAI required to transfer my domain to another registrar."

Keep this code secure, as it is used to authorise the transfer of your domain.

Before Changing Any DNS

We recommend checking where your DNS is currently hosted and making a copy of all existing DNS records before making any changes.

Important records may include:

• A records

• AAAA records

• CNAME records

• MX records

• TXT records

• SPF records

• DKIM records

• DMARC records

• Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace verification records

• Any other custom DNS records

This is particularly important if you intend to change the domain to KiwiData's DNS servers.

Step 1 – Transfer the Domain to KiwiData

Once you have your EPP/Auth Code or UDAI, start the domain transfer through your KiwiData Client Area and enter the transfer code when requested.

During the transfer, do not change the domain's name servers unless the new DNS zone has already been configured.

The existing name servers should normally be left in place while the transfer is being completed.

This allows your existing website and email services to continue operating from your previous provider while the domain registration is transferred to KiwiData.

DNS, Domain Redirection & Email Forwarding

When your domain is transferred to KiwiData, our system will automatically set up DNS, Domain Redirection & Email Forwarding for the domain.

This gives you access to tools for:

• Managing your DNS records

• Adding or updating website records

• Adding mail records for KiwiData or another email provider

• Redirecting your domain to another website

• Setting up email forwarding

For instructions on accessing and using these services, see:

DNS, Domain Redirection & Email Forwarding

Important: The automatic setup of these services does not mean your domain will immediately start using KiwiData's DNS servers. Your existing name servers should remain in place until you have configured and checked the required DNS records.

Step 2 – Configure the Domain on KiwiData DNS

Before changing the domain to the KiwiData DNS servers, make sure all required DNS records have been configured.

If your website is being hosted by KiwiData, the domain's web records need to point to the correct KiwiData hosting server.

If your email is being hosted by KiwiData, the appropriate mail records must also be configured.

This may include:

• Website IP address

• MX records

• Mail server records

• SPF record

• DKIM record

• DMARC record

• Other required TXT or CNAME records

Do not switch the domain to the KiwiData DNS servers until these records have been checked.

Step 3 – Check Your Email Service

Email is one of the most important things to check before changing DNS.

If you are using KiwiData Email, make sure the KiwiData mail records have been added to the DNS zone.

If you are using a third-party email provider such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or another mail provider, make sure all DNS records supplied by that provider are copied into the new DNS zone.

Missing MX, SPF, DKIM, CNAME, TXT, or verification records can cause email to stop working or messages to be rejected.

If you are unsure which records your email provider requires, contact them before changing your name servers.

Step 4 – Switch to the KiwiData DNS Servers

Once the DNS zone has been fully configured and checked, the domain can be changed from the old provider's name servers to the KiwiData DNS servers.

After changing the name servers, DNS changes need time to propagate across the internet.

During this period, some users may still reach the old server while others may reach the new server.

For this reason, we recommend keeping the old hosting and email services active until the DNS change has fully propagated and the new services have been tested.

Using Third-Party DNS

You do not have to use KiwiData's DNS servers just because your domain is registered with KiwiData.

You can continue using third-party DNS services if required.

If you are keeping your DNS with another provider, you will need to update the DNS records at that provider so they point to the correct KiwiData services.

For example, if your domain is registered with KiwiData but its DNS is hosted elsewhere, your website and email records must be updated at the DNS provider rather than in the KiwiData DNS system.

If you are using KiwiData Email with third-party DNS, it is especially important that all KiwiData mail records are added correctly. Otherwise, your email may not work correctly.

Recommended Transfer Process

The safest order is:

1. Obtain the EPP/Auth Code or UDAI from your current registrar

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2. Start the domain transfer to KiwiData

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3. Leave the existing name servers in place

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4. KiwiData automatically sets up DNS, Domain Redirection & Email Forwarding

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5. Copy and configure all required DNS records on the KiwiData DNS servers

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6. Check your website and email records

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7. Change the domain to the KiwiData name servers

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8. Allow DNS time to propagate

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9. Test your website, incoming email and outgoing email

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10. Only then cancel the old hosting/DNS service if it is no longer required

Important – Don't Cancel Your Old Service Too Early

Do not cancel your old hosting, DNS or email service immediately after transferring your domain.

A domain transfer changes the registrar responsible for the domain. It does not automatically transfer:

• Your website files

• Your website database

• Your email accounts

• Your existing emails/mailboxes

• Your existing DNS records

• Your third-party service configurations

Changing name servers before the new DNS zone has been correctly configured can result in:

• Website downtime

• Email delivery failures

• Missing email

• Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace services failing

• Domain verification problems

• Other services connected to the domain becoming unavailable

If you are unsure which DNS records need to be transferred, please contact KiwiData Support before changing your name servers. We can help ensure the required website and email records are in place before the DNS is switched.