How to Transfer a Domain from Wix to Squarespace

Switching website builders shouldn’t mean losing your domain name. Learning how to transfer a domain from Wix to Squarespace takes about 15 minutes of active work and 5-7 days for the full process to complete.

The domain transfer process involves unlocking your domain, getting an authorization code, and initiating the move through Squarespace’s domain panel.

ICANN regulations require a 60-day waiting period after initial registration before any transfer.

This guide walks you through each step: checking eligibility, unlocking your domain on Wix, obtaining your EPP code, starting the transfer in Squarespace, and verifying everything works.

You’ll also find troubleshooting tips for common issues like failed transfers and DNS propagation delays.

Introduction

Transferring a domain from Wix to Squarespace moves your domain registration and DNS management from one platform to another.

The process changes your domain registrar from Wix to Squarespace Domains LLC (or Tucows, depending on TLD).

Users need this when switching website builders, consolidating domain management, or wanting full control through a single platform.

This guide covers 7 steps requiring approximately 15 minutes of active work.

Total transfer time: 5-7 business days due to ICANN regulations and DNS propagation.

Skill level: beginner-friendly with basic account access.

Prerequisites

Before starting the domain transfer process, verify you have everything ready.

Required Access

• Active Wix account with domain ownership
• Squarespace account (free trial works)
• Access to email address linked to domain registration

Eligibility Requirements

• Domain registered for at least 60 days (ICANN requirement)
• No transfers completed in the past 60 days
• No contact information changes within 60 days
• Domain not expired or in redemption period

Time Estimates

• Active work: 15 minutes
• Authorization code delivery: up to 15 minutes
• Transfer approval: 1-5 business days
• Full completion: 5-7 business days
• DNS propagation: 24-72 hours after approval

If you are new to the destination platform, learning how to use Squarespace before migration helps you prepare your new site while the transfer processes.

Step 1: How Do You Check If Your Domain Is Eligible for Transfer?

Log into your Wix account settings and navigate to the Domains page to verify your domain meets all transfer requirements including the 60-day registration period and no recent transfers or contact updates.

Action

1. Wix Dashboard > Account Settings > Domains
2. Select your domain name from the list
3. Check Registration Date – must be 60+ days ago
4. Verify no “Transfer Lock” notifications appear
5. Confirm domain status shows “Active”

What You Should See

Domain status: Active.

No pending transfers or recent changes flagged.

Registration date older than 60 days from today.

Purpose

ICANN prevents domain transfers within 60 days of registration or previous transfer.

Skipping this check wastes time – failed transfers require starting over.

Understanding how to use Wix domain settings helps you locate these details quickly.

Step 2: How Do You Unlock Your Domain on Wix?

Access your domain settings in Wix and disable the transfer lock feature, which is enabled by default to prevent unauthorized domain transfers away from your account.

Action

1. Wix Dashboard > Account Settings > Domains
2. Click on your domain name
3. Scroll to “Transfer Lock” or “Domain Lock” section
4. Toggle the lock to Off or “Unlocked”
5. Confirm the change when prompted

What You Should See

Lock status changes to “Unlocked” or “Off.”

Some accounts show a confirmation message.

The domain is now eligible for external transfer.

Purpose

Domain registrars lock domains by default as a security measure.

Without unlocking, Squarespace cannot initiate the transfer request.

The lock can be re-enabled later if you decide not to proceed.

Step 3: Where Do You Find the Authorization Code (EPP Code) on Wix?

Request your authorization code through the Wix domain settings page; this EPP code gets sent to your registered email address and authorizes the transfer to your new registrar.

Action

1. Wix Dashboard > Account Settings > Domains > [Your Domain]
2. Look for “Transfer away from Wix” section
3. Click “Send code” or “Get Authorization Code”
4. Check your registered email inbox
5. Code arrives within 15 minutes (check spam folder)

What You Should See

Confirmation message: “Authorization code sent.”

Email from Wix with subject line containing your domain name.

The EPP code is a string of letters and numbers – copy it exactly.

Purpose

The authorization code proves domain ownership to the receiving registrar.

Without this code, Squarespace cannot verify you control the domain.

Codes typically expire after 7-14 days, so proceed promptly once received.

If you also need to move domains in the opposite direction, the process for transferring a domain from GoDaddy to Wix follows similar authorization steps.

Step 4: How Do You Start the Domain Transfer in Squarespace?

Navigate to your Squarespace domain settings and initiate the transfer process by entering your domain name and selecting the transfer option.

Action

1. Squarespace > Settings > Domains
2. Click “Use a domain I own”
3. Enter your domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com)
4. Select “Transfer to Squarespace”
5. Click “Continue”

What You Should See

Domain name field accepts your input.

Transfer option appears after entering the domain.

System prompts for authorization code on next screen.

Purpose

Initiating on the receiving platform triggers the formal domain transfer request to your current registrar.

If you need to modify your domain later, knowing how to change the domain name on Squarespace covers those settings.

Step 5: Where Do You Enter the Authorization Code on Squarespace?

Paste the EPP code from your Wix email into the Squarespace authorization field, then confirm the transfer details to submit your request.

Action

1. Locate the authorization code field
2. Paste your EPP code exactly as received (case-sensitive)
3. Review domain name and contact details shown
4. Click “Confirm” or “Initiate Transfer”
5. Note the confirmation message

What You Should See

Transfer status changes to “Pending” or “In Progress.”

Estimated completion date displayed (typically 5-7 days).

Confirmation email sent to your Squarespace account email.

Purpose

Accurate code entry authenticates your ownership claim to both registrars.

Incorrect codes result in immediate rejection – double-check before submitting.

Step 6: How Do You Approve the Transfer Request?

Check your email for a transfer confirmation from Wix, then click the approval link to speed up the process or wait 5 days for automatic approval.

Action

1. Check inbox for email from Wix (subject: domain transfer request)
2. Open the email within 5 business days
3. Click the approval link to confirm
4. Alternative: Take no action and transfer auto-approves after 5 days

What You Should See

Email confirms transfer request received.

Approval link redirects to confirmation page.

Status updates to “Approved” or “Processing.”

Purpose

Manual approval speeds the transfer from 5+ days to 24-48 hours.

The waiting period exists as a security measure against unauthorized transfers.

Step 7: How Do You Verify the Transfer Completed Successfully?

Check your Squarespace Domains panel for “Connected” or “Active” status, confirming the domain now points to your Squarespace site with full registrar control transferred.

Action

1. Squarespace > Settings > Domains
2. Locate your domain in the list
3. Verify status shows “Connected” or “Active”
4. Test by visiting your domain in a browser
5. Check WHOIS lookup shows Squarespace or Tucows as registrar

What You Should See

Domain appears in Squarespace Domains panel.

Status indicator shows green or “Active.”

Visiting domain loads your Squarespace site.

Purpose

Verification confirms DNS propagation completed and your domain now resolves to Squarespace servers.

WHOIS lookup provides independent confirmation of registrar change.

Verification

Confirm the entire domain migration succeeded with these checks:

• Domain appears in Squarespace Domains panel as “Connected”
• Visiting your domain loads your Squarespace site
• Wix no longer shows the domain in your account
• WHOIS lookup shows Squarespace Domains LLC or Tucows as registrar
• SSL certificate active (padlock icon in browser)

After verification, you can proceed to edit your Squarespace website and customize your new site.

Consider changing your favicon on Squarespace to match your brand identity.

Troubleshooting

Authorization Code Not Received

Issue: No email after requesting EPP code.

Solution: Check spam/junk folder; verify registered email in Wix domain settings; request code again after 24 hours; contact Wix support if persistent.

Transfer Rejected

Issue: Squarespace shows transfer failed or rejected.

Solution: Confirm domain unlocked in Wix; verify 60-day registration period passed; check for recent contact info changes; request new authorization code.

Domain Not Connecting After Transfer

Issue: Transfer complete but site not loading.

Solution: Squarespace > Settings > Domains > [Your Domain] > DNS Settings; verify A record points to 198.185.159.144; wait up to 72 hours for full DNS propagation.

Email Stopped Working

Issue: Business email not receiving messages after transfer.

Solution: Reconfigure MX records in Squarespace for your email provider (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, etc.); previous DNS settings do not transfer automatically.

Transfer Taking Too Long

Issue: More than 7 business days without completion.

Solution: Check email for rejection notices; verify approval link was clicked; contact both Wix and Squarespace support with transfer reference numbers.

Alternative Method: Connecting Without Full Transfer

Keep your domain registered with Wix while pointing it to Squarespace via DNS settings.

Connect via DNS (No Registration Transfer)

• Domain stays registered at Wix
• Update nameservers or DNS records only
• Time: 24-48 hours for propagation
• Renewal and management remain with Wix

Best for: Users who want separate domain management, have premium Wix features tied to domain, or need faster connection without waiting for transfer.

Full Transfer (This Guide)

• Moves registration to Squarespace
• Time: 5-7 business days
• All management consolidated in Squarespace
• Domain renewal handled through Squarespace billing

Best for: Users wanting single-platform management, planning to cancel Wix subscription entirely, or preferring Squarespace’s domain tools.

Choose full transfer when consolidating services; choose DNS connection when speed matters or Wix features require keeping the domain there.

Similar processes apply when transferring a domain from GoDaddy to Squarespace or moving between other registrars.

Related Processes

• Publishing your Squarespace website after domain connection
• Changing fonts on Squarespace to match your brand
• Adding Google Analytics to Squarespace for traffic tracking
• Creating a landing page on Squarespace for campaigns
• Deleting your Wix account after migration completes
• Canceling Squarespace subscription if you change plans

FAQ on How To Transfer A Domain From Wix To Squarespace

How long does it take to transfer a domain from Wix to Squarespace?

The domain transfer process takes 5-7 business days to complete.

Active work requires about 15 minutes. DNS propagation adds another 24-72 hours after approval. Clicking the approval link in your email speeds things up significantly.

How much does it cost to transfer a domain to Squarespace?

Squarespace charges a one-year domain extension fee at standard rates, typically $20-50 depending on your TLD.

The transfer itself is free. Your domain expiration date extends by one year from the current expiration, not the transfer date.

Can I transfer my domain if I just bought it on Wix?

No. ICANN regulations require domains to be registered for at least 60 days before transfer.

Recent contact information changes also trigger a 60-day lock. Wait until the period passes, then proceed with the transfer.

What is an EPP code and where do I find it?

An EPP code (also called authorization code) is a unique password that proves domain ownership.

Find it in Wix under Account Settings > Domains > Transfer away from Wix. The code arrives via email within 15 minutes.

Will my website go down during the transfer?

Your site may experience brief downtime during DNS propagation, typically lasting a few hours.

Keep your Wix site live until the transfer completes. Build your new Squarespace site beforehand to minimize visitor disruption.

What happens to my email after transferring my domain?

MX records do not transfer automatically.

If you use Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or another email provider, reconfigure the MX records in Squarespace immediately after transfer. Otherwise, email delivery stops.

Can I transfer my domain without moving my website?

Yes. Domain registration and website hosting are separate services.

Transfer your domain to Squarespace while keeping your Wix website active. Update DNS records to point wherever needed. Many users do this when consolidating domain management.

Why was my domain transfer rejected?

Common rejection reasons: domain still locked, incorrect authorization code, 60-day restriction active, or expired domain.

Verify the domain is unlocked in Wix settings. Request a fresh EPP code and try again within 7 days.

Can I cancel a domain transfer after starting it?

Yes, within the approval window.

Wix sends an email with options to approve or reject. Click the rejection link to cancel. After approval or the 5-day auto-approval period, the transfer cannot be reversed.

What if I want to transfer my domain to GoDaddy instead?

The process is similar: unlock domain, get EPP code, initiate transfer at GoDaddy.

Check out our guide on how to transfer a domain from Wix to GoDaddy for platform-specific steps.

Conclusion

Understanding how to transfer a domain from Wix to Squarespace gives you full control over your domain management and website platform choices.

The seven steps covered here handle everything from unlocking your domain to verifying the completed migration.

Most transfers finish within 5-7 business days once you submit the authorization code.

Remember to reconfigure your MX records if you use business email. Check your WHOIS lookup to confirm Squarespace Domains LLC or Tucows appears as your new registrar.

Keep your Wix site live until DNS changes propagate fully.

Domain ownership transfer is permanent, so double-check everything before approving.

Your website address now points to your new Squarespace site with SSL certificate active and all domain settings accessible from one dashboard.