Can I transfer a domain to a different registrar?
How Domain Transfers Work
A domain transfer moves your domain's management from one ICANN-accredited registrar to another. The domain itself doesn't change; only the company you pay and manage it through changes. To start, you'll need to unlock the domain at your current registrar and obtain an authorization (EPP) code, which you provide to the new registrar.
Most transfers require the domain to be at least 60 days old and not expire within the next 15 days. Some registrars also require you to have owned the domain for 60 days since the last transfer or registration. Once initiated, the new registrar will ask the old one for approval, and the old registrar may send you a confirmation email.
Costs and Timing
Transfers typically cost the price of a one-year renewal at the new registrar, often $8 to $20 for common TLDs like .com. This adds a year to your registration. Some registrars offer free or discounted transfers as a promotion.
The process usually takes 5 to 7 days, but can complete faster if the old registrar approves quickly. During the transfer, your website and email should continue working, but avoid making DNS changes until it's done.
Restrictions and Exceptions
Not all domains can be transferred. For example, domains in a 60-day lock after registration or a previous transfer, expired domains, and those with a pending legal dispute may be blocked. Some country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) have their own rules and may not allow transfers or require additional steps.
If your domain is within 15 days of expiration, you may need to renew it first at the current registrar before transferring. Also, if you used a privacy protection service, you may need to disable it temporarily to receive the authorization code.
- Check if your domain is locked or has a transfer lock.
- Get the authorization code from your current registrar.
- Ensure your contact email is up to date.
- Initiate the transfer at the new registrar and pay the fee.
- Approve the transfer if you receive a confirmation email.
Common mistakes
- Assuming you can transfer a domain immediately after registering it; most registrars require a 60-day wait.
- Forgetting to unlock the domain or provide the authorization code, which delays the transfer.
- Believing that transferring a domain also moves your website content; you'll need to update DNS settings separately.