Exporting your DNS records before transferring a domain helps preserve the services already connected to it, including websites, email, verification records, and other integrations. A DNS Zone File gives you a record of the current DNS configuration so you can compare or restore records during the transfer.

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What Is a DNS Zone File?

A DNS Zone File contains the DNS records configured for a domain. These records control where website traffic, email, and other domain-based services are routed.

Common DNS records include:

  • A: Points a domain or subdomain to an IPv4 address.

  • CNAME: Points a hostname to another domain.

  • MX: Controls where email is delivered.

  • TXT: Stores verification, authentication, and other text-based values.

  • CAA: Controls which certificate authorities may issue SSL certificates.


Key Benefits of Exporting DNS Records

Keeping a copy of your DNS configuration provides a reliable reference before making domain changes.

  • Protect Existing Services: Preserve records used by websites, email, and other systems.

  • Reduce Transfer Risk: Compare DNS records before completing the transfer.

  • Faster Troubleshooting: Use the exported records as a reference if something stops working.

  • More Accurate Migration: Reduce the chance of missing records during automatic DNS scanning.

  • Simpler DNS Review: Keep the existing configuration available while preparing the transfer.


Before You Export

The company where you purchased the domain may not be the company currently managing its DNS. Always confirm where the domain's active nameservers point before exporting records.

For example, if you purchased a domain through GoDaddy but later moved its nameservers to Cloudflare, Cloudflare is the DNS provider you should use when exporting or reviewing DNS records.

Before continuing:

  1. Confirm the domain you are transferring.

  2. Identify the provider managing the active DNS.

  3. Confirm you can access the DNS settings.

  4. Review the records currently in use.

  5. Export the zone file when the provider supports it.

Important: Do not delete or modify DNS records simply because you do not recognize them. They may support email, websites, verification services, or other business-critical systems.


Export DNS Records From GoDaddy

Exporting your DNS records from GoDaddy gives you a copy of the current zone configuration before transferring the domain.

  1. Sign in to your GoDaddy account.

  2. Open the domain you want to transfer.

  3. Go to the domain's DNS or Manage DNS area.

  4. Locate the option to export the DNS records or zone file.

  5. Export and save the file.

  6. Compare the exported records with the DNS records currently displayed.

Keep the exported file until the domain transfer and DNS verification are complete.


Export DNS Records From Cloudflare

Cloudflare provides DNS import and export tools that can be used to preserve the current zone configuration.

  1. Sign in to Cloudflare.

  2. Select the correct domain.

  3. Open the domain's DNS settings.

  4. Locate the DNS import/export option.

  5. Export the zone file.

  6. Save the file.

  7. Compare the exported records with the active records displayed in Cloudflare.

If Cloudflare manages the domain's nameservers, use the Cloudflare records as the source of truth even if the domain was purchased somewhere else.


Retrieve DNS Records From Namecheap

Depending on your Namecheap configuration, a downloadable DNS Zone File may not be available. If an export option is unavailable, manually document the active records.

  1. Sign in to Namecheap.

  2. Open the affected domain.

  3. Go to Advanced DNS or the applicable DNS management area.

  4. Review each active DNS record.

  5. Record the type, host/name, value/target, and TTL for every entry.

  6. Save the information for comparison during the transfer.

If you cannot retrieve all required records, contact your DNS provider before continuing the transfer.

Export DNS Records From IONOS

IONOS DNS records may be managed through its domain or DNS tools depending on your configuration.

  1. Sign in to IONOS.

  2. Open the domain or DNS management area.

  3. Select the domain you are transferring.

  4. Review the available DNS records.

  5. Use the available export or DNS management tools when applicable.

  6. Save the exported DNS information.

  7. Compare it with the active DNS configuration before continuing.

If an export option is not available, manually document the active records.


Review DNS Records Before Transfer

Reviewing the exported records helps confirm that important services are not left behind during the transfer.

Compare the exported file or manually documented records with your current DNS provider and confirm that important records are present, including:

  • Website A or CNAME records

  • MX records used for email

  • SPF, DKIM, or DMARC TXT records

  • Domain verification TXT records

  • CAA records

  • Subdomain records

  • Other records used by connected services

Do not rely only on an automatic DNS scan when an exported zone file or current DNS record list is available. Automatic scans may not detect every record.


Prepare DNS Records for Transfer

Preparing DNS records before the transfer helps reduce the risk of website, email, or connected-service interruptions.

  1. Export or document the active DNS records.

  2. Save a backup copy outside your DNS provider.

  3. Review records for the root domain and active subdomains.

  4. Compare the records with any DNS scan performed during the transfer.

  5. Add any missing required records.

  6. Correct records only when you are certain the existing value is outdated or incorrect.

  7. Continue the domain transfer after the DNS configuration has been reviewed.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is exporting a DNS Zone File required before transferring a domain?

It may not always be required, but it is strongly recommended. A complete copy of your DNS records makes it easier to identify missing records and reduce service interruptions.

Q: What if my registrar and DNS provider are different?

Export or review records from the provider managing the domain's active nameservers. That provider controls the live DNS configuration.

Q: What if my DNS provider does not support zone-file exports?

Manually document each DNS record or contact the provider for assistance obtaining a copy of the current DNS configuration.

Q: Can an automatic DNS scan replace a zone-file export?

An automatic scan can help, but it may not detect every existing record. Compare scan results with your current DNS records whenever possible.

Q: Which DNS records should I preserve?

Review all active records. Website routing, MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, verification, CNAME, and subdomain records are especially important because missing records can interrupt connected services.

Q: Should I delete DNS records I do not recognize?

No. Unknown records may support important services. Verify what a record is used for before removing or changing it.

Q: Will transferring the domain automatically preserve every DNS record?

Do not assume every record will be copied automatically. Review the DNS configuration before completing the transfer and confirm the destination contains the records you need.


Need Help?

If you cannot export your DNS records or are unsure whether the zone file is complete, first confirm which provider manages the domain's active DNS.

Verify that:

  • You are reviewing the correct domain.

  • You are signed in to the provider managing the active nameservers.

  • The exported file belongs to the correct DNS zone.

  • The export includes the records currently visible at the DNS provider.

  • Website, email, verification, and active subdomain records are included.

  • Records from an automatic scan have been compared with the current DNS configuration.

  • Missing records were documented or added before continuing the transfer.

  • You have not removed records that may support existing services.

  • A backup of the current DNS configuration has been saved before making changes.

If your provider does not offer a zone-file export, manually document the active DNS records and use that list as your transfer reference.

If the issue continues, collect the domain name, active DNS provider, current nameservers, export method used, missing or questionable DNS records, and screenshots of the existing DNS configuration before contacting support.