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How-To SessionComplexity: MediumDNSDomains

How to Move DNS to Cloudflare (Without Transferring Your Domain)

Manage DNS in Cloudflare while keeping your current domain registrar.

This guide changes who manages DNS. It does not change who you pay for the domain.

If you are unsure about any DNS record, contact 4leggedIT before continuing.

Quick Path

  • Add your domain to Cloudflare and review the imported DNS records.
  • Change your domain nameservers at the current registrar to the Cloudflare nameservers.
  • Confirm website and email still work the same after the switch.

Security & Privacy

  • DNS records are public information. Do not store passwords, API keys, or private data in DNS records.
  • Use 2FA on registrar and Cloudflare accounts, and keep access limited to trusted admins.
  • If you’re unsure about a record, ask before deleting or changing it (small typos can break website or email).
1

Step 1 — Understand what will change (and what will not)

➡ What this step does

This step helps you avoid surprises.

You will keep your current registrar, but Cloudflare will become the place where DNS is edited.

📋 What to do
  1. Your registrar stays the same (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.).
  2. Cloudflare will become your DNS provider after you change nameservers.
  3. Your website and email should stay online if the DNS records are correct.
  4. If you decide you want Cloudflare to also be your domain registrar, follow How to Transfer a Domain to Cloudflare.
✅ What should happen

You can explain the difference between registrar and DNS management.

You are comfortable moving forward without transferring the domain.

2

Step 2 — Add your domain to Cloudflare and review DNS records

➡ What this step does

This step imports your existing DNS records into Cloudflare.

Reviewing records first helps prevent website or email problems later.

📋 What to do
  1. If you do not have a Cloudflare account yet, start with How to Create Your Organization's Cloudflare Account.
  2. Log in to Cloudflare dashboard and click Add a site.
  3. Enter your domain (example: yourrescue.org) and continue.
  4. Choose the free plan unless you have a specific reason not to.
  5. Cloudflare will scan for DNS records. Review the results.
  6. Confirm your website-related records (common: A, AAAA, CNAME) are present.
  7. Confirm your email-related records (common: MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are present if you use domain email.
  8. If you want a plain-language overview of record types like CNAME, MX, and TXT, see DNS Records 101 in Cloudflare.
  9. If DNSSEC is enabled at your current provider, it usually needs to be turned off before changing nameservers. If you’re not sure, contact 4leggedIT and we’ll help you check it safely.
  10. Do not delete records you do not recognize. Ask for help if you are unsure.
✅ What should happen

Your domain is added in Cloudflare and the DNS tab shows records.

You have reviewed website and email-related records for obvious gaps.

3

Step 3 — Change nameservers at your current registrar

➡ What this step does

This step makes Cloudflare the active DNS provider for your domain.

After this change, DNS edits happen in Cloudflare.

📋 What to do
  1. In Cloudflare, copy the two nameservers Cloudflare assigns to your domain.
  2. Log in to your current registrar and find the domain’s nameserver settings.
  3. Replace the current nameservers with the Cloudflare nameservers.
  4. Save the change and wait for it to take effect (this can take minutes to hours).
✅ What should happen

Cloudflare shows the domain as active.

Cloudflare is now the place you edit DNS.

4

Step 4 — Confirm your website and email still work

➡ What this step does

This step checks that the DNS change did not break anything.

It is easier to catch issues now than later.

📋 What to do
  1. Open your website in a browser and confirm pages load normally.
  2. If you use email on the domain, send a test email to and from a domain address.
  3. If you have donation links or forms, submit a quick test.
  4. If anything looks wrong, stop and contact 4leggedIT so you don’t make the issue worse.
✅ What should happen

Your website loads and basic actions work.

Email (if used) sends and receives normally.

5

Step 5 — Choose your next step

➡ What this step does

This step helps you decide what to set up next now that DNS is in Cloudflare.

You can publish a website, set up email, or both.

📋 What to do
  1. If you are publishing a website, follow Publish Your Website with Cloudflare Pages + GitHub.
  2. If you want forwarding only, follow How to Set Up Email Forwarding in Cloudflare.
  3. If you want real inboxes for a team, follow Personalized Nonprofit Email with Google Workspace.
  4. If you want to move your domain registration later, follow How to Transfer a Domain to Cloudflare.
✅ What should happen

You know which guide to follow next for publishing or email.

Official References

Open these only if something doesn’t match your screen.

You do not need to read them to complete the guide.

Cloudflare DNS documentation Cloudflare: Full setup (change nameservers) Cloudflare: Add a site

Related How-To Sessions

How to Transfer a Domain to Cloudflare

Move your registrar to Cloudflare when you're ready (optional).

DNS Records 101 in Cloudflare

Plain-language DNS basics (A, CNAME, MX, TXT) and safe changes.

Publish With Cloudflare Pages + GitHub

Deploy from GitHub and connect your domain.

How to Create Your Organization's Cloudflare Account

Create the Cloudflare account that will own DNS management.

Want Us to Review Your DNS Before You Switch?

We can review your current DNS records, confirm email and website requirements, and help you move DNS to Cloudflare without disruption.

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