The basic steps to transfer a domain to GoDaddy

To move a domain to GoDaddy, you unlock it at your current registrar, get an authorization code (sometimes called an auth code or EPP code), then start the transfer process at GoDaddy and enter that code. GoDaddy will contact your current registrar to confirm the move, which usually takes three to five business days. You pay a transfer fee — typically around $0.99 to $2.99 for the first year, depending on the domain extension — and your domain registration period extends by one year once the transfer completes.

The process is straightforward if you have access to your current registrar's account. If you do not, or if your domain is locked for other reasons, you will need to contact your current registrar's support team before you can proceed.

Key Takeaways

  • You must unlock your domain at your current registrar and obtain an authorization code before GoDaddy can accept the transfer.
  • The transfer takes three to five business days after you submit the authorization code to GoDaddy, and your registration period extends by one year.
  • GoDaddy will send a confirmation email to the domain owner's email address on file; you must approve the transfer or it will not proceed.
  • Some domains, including most country-code domains and recently registered domains, have restrictions that may prevent or delay transfer.
  • You remain responsible for renewing your domain at GoDaddy after the transfer completes; it does not renew automatically at your old registrar.

How to unlock your domain at your current registrar

Before GoDaddy can pull your domain over, your current registrar must release it. Log into your account at your current registrar — this might be Network Solutions, Namecheap, 1&1, Bluehost, your web host, or another company. Look for a section called Domain Management, My Domains, or Domain Settings.

Find the domain you want to transfer and look for a lock icon or a setting that says "Lock" or "Domain Lock." Click it to unlock the domain. Some registrars require you to disable WHOIS privacy protection before you can unlock; if you see that message, turn off privacy protection first, then unlock the domain. Save or confirm the change. The unlock usually takes effect immediately, though some registrars take up to an hour.

Getting your authorization code from your current registrar

Once your domain is unlocked, you need the authorization code. This is a unique string of letters and numbers that proves you own the domain and have permission to move it. In your current registrar's domain management section, look for a button or link that says "Get Authorization Code," "Auth Code," "EPP Code," or "Transfer Code." Click it and copy the code exactly as it appears — it is case-sensitive.

Some registrars email the code to you automatically; others display it on screen. If you cannot find it, contact your current registrar's support team and ask for the authorization code for your domain. You will need this code within the next few days, so keep it somewhere you can find it quickly.

Starting the transfer at GoDaddy

Go to GoDaddy.com and log into your account, or create a new account if you do not have one. Click on "Domains" in the main menu, then look for an option that says "Transfer Domain" or "Transfer a Domain to GoDaddy." Enter your domain name in the search box and click the button to check if it can be transferred.

GoDaddy will tell you whether the domain is available for transfer and show you the cost. The transfer fee is separate from your regular renewal cost and is usually $0.99 to $2.99 depending on the domain extension (.com, .net, .org, and so on). Add the domain to your cart and proceed to checkout. You do not need to buy anything else unless you want to.

Entering the authorization code and confirming the transfer

During checkout, GoDaddy will ask you to enter the authorization code from your current registrar. Paste it exactly as you copied it. After you complete payment, GoDaddy sends a confirmation email to the email address listed as the domain owner in your current registrar's records. Open that email and click the link to approve the transfer.

If you do not approve within the timeframe shown in the email (usually five to seven days), the transfer request expires and you will need to start over. After you approve, GoDaddy contacts your current registrar to complete the move. This usually takes three to five business days, though it can take up to ten in rare cases. You will receive another email from GoDaddy when the transfer is complete.

Domains that cannot transfer or have restrictions

Some domains cannot move to GoDaddy, or the transfer is delayed. Country-code domains (like .uk, .de, .ca, or .au) have their own transfer rules and may require additional steps or documentation. Domains registered fewer than 60 days ago cannot transfer under ICANN rules, so you will need to wait. Domains that are expired or have an active redemption hold also cannot transfer until they are renewed and the hold is lifted.

If your domain falls into one of these categories, your current registrar or GoDaddy will notify you during the transfer process. Contact GoDaddy support if you are unsure whether your domain can transfer, or reach out to your current registrar if you need to resolve a lock or hold before you proceed.

What happens after the transfer completes

Once GoDaddy confirms the transfer is complete, your domain is now registered with GoDaddy. Your domain name servers (the addresses that point your domain to your website) do not change unless you change them yourself, so your website will continue to work without interruption. You can now manage your domain through GoDaddy's control panel.

Make a note of when your domain will renew at GoDaddy — this is one year from the transfer date. GoDaddy will send you renewal reminders by email, but you are responsible for renewing on time. If your domain expires, it enters a grace period where you can still renew it, but after that period ends it becomes available for anyone to register.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer a domain if I do not know my authorization code?

Contact your current registrar's support team and ask for the authorization code. You will need to prove you own the domain, usually by answering security questions or providing the email address on file. Some registrars take 24 hours to send the code.

Will my website go down during the transfer?

No. Your website stays live the entire time because the transfer only changes who manages your domain registration, not where your website is hosted. Your domain name servers remain the same unless you change them.

What if I approve the transfer email by mistake?

Once you approve the transfer, it cannot be stopped. If you change your mind, contact GoDaddy support immediately and ask them to cancel the transfer request before your current registrar processes it. After the transfer completes, you can move the domain back to your old registrar or elsewhere.

Do I have to renew my domain at GoDaddy after the transfer?

Yes. Your domain registration is now managed by GoDaddy, so you renew through GoDaddy going forward. GoDaddy sends renewal reminders, but you are responsible for renewing before the expiration date.

How much does the transfer cost?

GoDaddy charges a transfer fee of around $0.99 to $2.99 depending on your domain extension, and your registration period extends by one year. Some extensions cost more. The exact price appears on GoDaddy's checkout page before you pay.