Buying and transferring a domain name

Buying a domain

To ask about a domain listed for sale, use the enquiry form on that domain's page or call the relevant number. We will confirm the price and agree the transfer route with you before the transaction proceeds.

The domain is transferred only after full cleared payment has been received. If both parties prefer, we can discuss arranging an independent third-party escrow service, so funds can be held until the agreed transfer conditions are met.

Any escrow provider's fees, verification requirements and terms are agreed separately before it is used.

Who is Nominet?

Nominet is the registry for UK domain extensions including .uk, .co.uk, .org.uk and .me.uk. Registrars such as Sympli Domains manage registrations and changes at the registry on a registrant's behalf.

Sympli Domains is a Nominet TAG holder (OPSUK). That lets us manage a .UK domain for you, make a change of registrant, or arrange a move to another .UK registrar.

Learn about the UK registry at Nominet

Choose how the domain is managed

Move it to your own registrar

Send us the Nominet TAG for the registrar you want to use. Where your receiving registrar requires it, it may also ask for a transfer authorisation code or other account details. We will use the appropriate registry process to release or transfer the domain.

Keep it hosted with us

Alternatively, the domain can remain managed by Sympli Domains under the OPSUK TAG. We can host the DNS and help with website, email and other domain settings, while the domain remains registered to you.

Details needed for the new registrant

Whether the new holder is an individual or a company, we need accurate registrant contact details so the domain can be registered in the right name.

Full legal name, or company name and company number where applicable
Registered or correspondence address, including postcode and country
Named authorised contact for a company
Telephone number and email address

What happens next

Enquire about the domain.
Agree the price and transfer route.
Provide registrant and registrar details.
Complete payment and transfer.

How to transfer a .uk domain

Ask the receiving registrar for its current transfer instructions and confirm the account that will receive the domain.
Confirm that you can authorise the move and that the registrant contact details are up to date. A change of registrar and a change of registrant are separate parts of a handover.
Follow the registrar's instructions for the required tag or transfer authorisation details. Agree any charges and acceptance steps before starting.
Record the existing nameservers and DNS records, including email records. Arrange replacement DNS or hosting before cancelling any service with the old provider.
After completion, check the domain in the receiving account, confirm renewal arrangements, and test the website and email.

For a domain bought from us, we will confirm the relevant transfer steps with you before the handover. Registry processes can change; consult Nominet's current registry guidance and your receiving registrar's instructions.

What is a Nominet tag holder?

A Nominet tag is an identifier used in the .uk registry system for the registrar managing a domain. OPSUK is the tag used by Sympli Domains. The registrar manages registry operations; the registrant is the person or organisation holding the domain registration.

A tag does not identify your website host or email provider. Those services are connected through DNS and can be supplied by different companies. Before moving a domain, ask whether the current provider will continue to host its DNS after the transfer.

Terms and a clear handover

The transfer process and sale are subject to our Terms and Conditions. We will confirm the relevant steps for the particular domain before payment or a registry change is made.