Moving a domain to GoDaddy means unlocking it at your current registrar, getting an authorization code, and completing the transfer through GoDaddy's system — a process that usually takes three to five business days.

Your domain registrar (the company that manages your domain name) can be changed, and GoDaddy will walk you through it. The transfer itself is straightforward, but you need to prepare at your current registrar first, and you need to know what to expect during the waiting period.

Key Takeaways

  • You must unlock your domain at your current registrar before GoDaddy can accept it, and you need the authorization code (sometimes called an auth code or EPP code) from that registrar.
  • Your domain must not expire within 60 days of the transfer start date, and some registrars require you to wait 60 days after a recent transfer before moving it again.
  • GoDaddy charges a transfer fee (typically $0.99 to $17.99 depending on the domain extension), and the transfer adds one year to your domain's expiration date.
  • During the transfer, your website and email continue to work normally — the transfer only changes who manages the domain, not where it points.
  • You will receive confirmation emails from both your current registrar and GoDaddy; you may need to click a link in one of those emails to approve the transfer.

Prepare your domain at your current registrar

Before you start anything at GoDaddy, log into your account at your current registrar (the company you registered the domain with or have been paying to keep it active). Look for a setting called "Unlock Domain" or "Domain Lock" — it is usually in the domain management or account settings area.

Unlock the domain. This prevents accidental transfers and is a security step; once unlocked, the domain can be moved. Then request the authorization code (also called an auth code, transfer code, or EPP code). The registrar will either show it to you immediately after unlocking or email it to you. Write it down or copy it somewhere safe — you will need it at GoDaddy.

Check the domain's expiration date. If it expires within 60 days, renew it first. GoDaddy will not accept a transfer if the domain is too close to expiring. Also check whether you have transferred this domain within the last 60 days; if you have, some registrars require you to wait before moving it again.

Start the transfer at GoDaddy

Go to GoDaddy's domain transfer page and enter your domain name. GoDaddy will check whether the domain can be transferred and show you the transfer fee. The fee varies by domain extension (.com, .net, .org, and so on) and is typically $0.99 to $17.99. The transfer also adds one year to your domain's expiration date, so you are paying for that year of registration as part of the transfer fee.

Add the transfer to your cart and proceed to checkout. You will need to enter the authorization code from your current registrar. GoDaddy will verify it with your current registrar to confirm you own the domain. If the code is wrong or expired, the transfer will fail and you will need to request a new one.

Complete the purchase. GoDaddy will send you a confirmation email. Your current registrar will also send you an email asking you to approve the transfer — this is a security step to prevent someone else from moving your domain without permission. You must click the link in that email or reply to approve it, or the transfer will not proceed.

What happens during the transfer waiting period

After you approve the transfer, GoDaddy and your current registrar communicate to move the domain. This usually takes three to five business days, though it can take up to 14 days in rare cases. During this time, your website and email continue to work normally — the transfer only changes who manages the domain, not where it points or what it does.

You can check the status of your transfer in your GoDaddy account. Log in, go to your domains list, and look for the domain you are transferring. GoDaddy will show you whether it is pending, in progress, or complete. If the transfer stalls or fails, GoDaddy will email you with the reason and next steps.

Common reasons transfers fail or get delayed

The authorization code is wrong or expired. Request a new one from your current registrar and try again. Some registrars regenerate codes after a certain time, so if you waited several days, you may need a fresh code.

You did not approve the transfer email from your current registrar. Check your email (including spam folders) for a message from your current registrar asking you to confirm the transfer. Click the link or reply as instructed. Without this approval, the transfer cannot proceed.

The domain is locked at your current registrar. Go back and unlock it. Some registrars re-lock domains automatically after a period of time, so double-check that it is still unlocked.

The domain is too close to expiration or was recently transferred. Renew the domain at your current registrar if it expires within 60 days. If you transferred it within the last 60 days, you may need to wait before moving it again — check your current registrar's policy.

After the transfer completes

Once GoDaddy confirms the transfer is complete, your domain is now registered with GoDaddy. You can manage it through your GoDaddy account, update its nameservers, renew it, or make other changes there. Your old registrar will no longer manage it.

Your website and email will continue to work exactly as they did before — nothing changes about where your domain points or what it does. The transfer only changes the registrar, not the domain's function. If you had DNS records, forwarding, or email set up at your old registrar, you may need to recreate those settings in GoDaddy if you want to keep using them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my website go down during the transfer?

No. The transfer only changes who manages the domain registration, not where it points. Your website and email continue to work normally throughout the process. The transfer is invisible to visitors and users.

Do I need to do anything with my web hosting or email?

No. Your web hosting and email are separate from domain registration. Transferring the domain does not affect them. If you want to move your hosting or email to GoDaddy as well, that is a separate process.

What if my current registrar charges a transfer fee?

Some registrars charge a fee to unlock or transfer a domain; others do not. Check your current registrar's policy before you start. GoDaddy's transfer fee is separate and is charged by GoDaddy, not your old registrar.

Can I transfer a domain that is in a domain lock or hold?

No. You must unlock it at your current registrar first. If your domain is on hold for non-payment or other reasons, resolve that with your current registrar before attempting the transfer.

How long does the transfer take?

Usually three to five business days. In rare cases it can take up to 14 days. You can check the status in your GoDaddy account. If it takes longer than 14 days, contact GoDaddy support.