FAQs for Registrants: Transferring Your Domain Name (2024)

If I registered a domain name through one registrar, am I allowed to switch to a different registrar?

Yes, it is your right to transfer your domain name registrations between registrars. Click here for more information on Transferring Your Domain Name.

How do I transfer my domain name to a new registrar?

If you wish to move your domain name from one ICANN-accredited registrar to another, you may initiate the transfer process by contacting the registrar to which you wish to transfer the name. Note that there are certain situations that can prevent a domain name from being transferred, such as if it is subject to a 60-day Change of Registrant lock. See FAQ #8 for more information. Absent any valid reasons a transfer request cannot be processed, the registrar will confirm your intent to transfer your domain name using the Initial Authorization for Registrar Transfer form. If you do not respond or return the form to the registrar, your transfer request will not be processed. Please note that as of 25 May 2018, if the gaining registrar cannot access registration data for a name subject to a transfer, then the gaining registrar is not required to obtain the Form of Authorization from the Transfer Contact.

Your current registrar must also verify your intent to transfer using the Confirmation of Registrar Transfer Request form. Click here for more information on Transferring Your Domain Name.

Why can't I transfer a domain name I just registered to another registrar?

There are certain situations that can prevent a domain name from being transferred to a different registrar, such as a new registration. Your registrar may deny a transfer request if the domain name is within 60 days of initial registration. Another situation is if the domain name is subject to a 60-day Change of Registrant lock. You cannot transfer a domain name to a different registrar within 60 days of making changes to the registrant name, organization or email address (or the Administrative Contact email address, if there is no registrant email address). At their discretion, some registrars may provide an option for you to opt-out of this 60-day lock period. However, this rule is in place for your protection against unauthorized transfers and the registrar does not have to offer this option. If your ultimate goal is to transfer the domain name, you may want to consider completing the transfer process before changing your contact information.

Registrars also have the option of denying a transfer request within 60 days from when you last transferred the domain name to a different registrar. You may have the option to change web-hosting providers instead of registrars to avoid the inter-registrar transfer process (and lock) altogether. You may also update your domain name's nameservers or change the hosting IP address assigned to your domain name. Check with your registrar and/or hosting provider to see what options you have.

Learn More: Registrant Blog Series - Do you have a domain name? Here's what you need to know. Part II: Transferring Your Domain Name

I want to move my domain name to someone else.

It is your right to transfer your domain name registration between registrars. If you wish to move your domain name from one ICANN-accredited registrar to another, you may initiate the transfer process by contacting the registrar to which you wish to transfer the name.

To transfer your domain name to another registrant, you can initiate a change of registrant by contacting your current registrar. Your registrar will then ask for your confirmation via a secure mechanism (which typically will take the form of an email to the registered name holder). You must provide your confirmation within the number of days set by your registrar (not to exceed 60 days) or your transfer will not proceed. Once your registrar receives confirmation from you, they will process the transfer and notify you and the new registrant once the transfer is completed.

Learn More: Registrant Blog Series - Do you have a domain name? Here's what you need to know. Part III: Having Issues Transferring Your Domain Name?

Someone has contacted me to purchase my domain name, what do I do?

It is up to you to decide if you would like to respond to an offer for the purchase of your domain name. You can transfer your domain name to someone else if you would like. See FAQ#4 above for more information on transferring your domain name to a different Registrant.

The registrar is asking me for a code. Where do I get this? / I don't know what you mean by authorization/EPP/transfer code and I can't find it. How do I get this code?

An Auth-Code (also called an Authorization Code, AuthInfo Code, Auth-Info Code, or transfer code) is a code created by a registrar to help identify the domain name holder and prevent unauthorized transfers (also known as a registrant or registered name holder). An Auth-Code is required for a domain holder to transfer a domain name from one registrar to another.

Your registrar may allow you, via an online interface tool, to generate and manage your own AuthInfo code. If not, you will need to contact your registrar directly to obtain it. Your registrar must provide you with the AuthInfo code within five (5) calendar days of your request.

Learn More About EPP Status Codes

What if I don't know who my registrar is?

If you don't know who your current registrar is, you can look it up by performing a search for your domain name at:< https://lookup.icann.org/>. The "Registrar" field shows you who your registrar is.

Why is my registrar refusing to transfer my domain name?

Your registrar may deny a transfer request in the following limited circ*mstances:

• Evidence of fraud
• Reasonable dispute over the identity of the person authorizing the transfer
• Domain name is on hold due to payment owed for a previous registration period (including credit card charge-backs)
• Express written objection from the domain name holder
• Domain name is in "Lock" status (Registrars must provide a readily accessible and reasonable means for name holders to remove the lock status. Contact your registrar for assistance.)
• Domain name is within 60 days of initial registration
• Domain name is within 60 days of a previous transfer

Your registrar is required to specify a reason when denying your transfer request unless they are required. Contact either the current registrar or the registrar you wish to transfer to for information on the denial.

Your registrar must deny a transfer request in the following limited circ*mstances:

• Domain name is the subject of a UDRP proceeding
• Domain name is subject to a court order by a court of competent jurisdiction
• Domain name is the subject of a TDRP proceeding
• Domain name is the subject of a URS proceeding or URS suspension
• Domain name is subject to 60-Day Change of Registrant lock

My registrar is charging me a fee to transfer to a new registrar. Is this allowed?

Yes. Registrars are allowed to set their own prices for this service so some may choose to charge a fee. However, a transfer cannot be denied due to non-payment of this transfer fee. There are other reasons your registrar can deny transfer request. See FAQ #8 above for more information.

My transfer request was denied for a reason not listed above, or I do not agree with the reason my registrar provided. What can I do?

If you think your request to transfer your domain name was inappropriately denied or you do not agree with the reason (if any) provided by your current registrar for denying your request, you should then submit a formal Transfer Complaint with ICANN.

My domain name has just expired. Can my registrar require me to pay for a renewal before I can transfer the domain name to a new registrar?

No. You have the right to transfer an expired domain. Registrars are not allowed to deny a transfer due to expiration or nonrenewal, (unless you haven't paid for a previous registration period).

However, if the current registrar has begun to delete your domain (i.e., the EPP status code (https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/epp-status-codes-2014-06-16-en) shows the domain in Redemption Grace Period (see also https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/gtld-lifecycle-2012-02-25-en), the name must be restored by your current registrar before it can be transferred. This may result in an additional fee, sometimes referred to as a redemption fee.

My registrar is listed as the Administrative Contact for my domain name and this is preventing my transfer request from being processed. What can I do?

If you are listed as the Registrant for the domain name, you may ask your new registrar of choice to send the required Form of Authorization to you rather than the listed Administrative Contact.

You may also update the data associated with the domain name and name a different Administrative Contact. Some registrars offer an online interface tool for you to manage this data yourself; others can make these updates if you contact their customer service.

Please note, if you decide to update the Administrative Contact email, a 60-day lock will be placed on your domain, if there is not currently a Registered Name Holder email address. You should read the registrar's terms and conditions carefully before performing any updates or contact your registrar directly for more information.

What can I do if I believe my registrar is in violation of the ICANN Transfer Policy?

If you believe your registrar is in violation of the ICANN Transfer Policy, you may file a complaint with ICANN by going to: https://forms.icann.org/en/resources/compliance/complaints/transfer/form.

Where can I go if I have a question that is not answered above?

If you have questions about the ICANN Transfer Policy, please contact us by sending an email to [emailprotected].