A method is provided for transferring control of a security module from a first entity to a second entity. The security module has a first security domain controlled by the first entity by at least one first secret control key specific to the first entity, and a second security domain, the second domain containing a private key and a certificate of a public key of a controlling authority. The method includes: receiving a request to obtain the certificate; sending the certificate; receiving data encrypted by the public key of the certificate, the data including at least one second secret control key specific to the second entity; decrypting the data; verifying the data; and if the verification is positive, replacing the at least one first secret control key by the at least one second secret control key.