What happens when you transfer a domain

Transferring a domain means moving the registration from one registrar (the company that manages your domain name) to another. The domain itself stays the same — your website address doesn't change, and your email doesn't break. What changes is which company holds the registration and sends you renewal notices.

The transfer process takes a few days to two weeks, depending on the registrar and whether there are any holds on your account. During the transfer, your website and email keep working normally. You're not moving your website files or hosting; you're only moving the registration record.

Most people transfer domains because they want better pricing, customer service, or bundled services at a new registrar. Some transfer because they're consolidating multiple domains in one place. The process is straightforward if you follow the steps in order and don't skip the verification step.

Key Takeaways

  • You need an authorization code (also called an auth code or EPP code) from your current registrar before you can start a transfer.
  • Your domain must be at least 60 days old, unlocked at your current registrar, and not set to auto-renew within the next 30 days for most registrars to accept it.
  • The transfer process requires you to confirm the move through an email link sent to the domain's administrative contact address.
  • Your domain registration is extended by one year at the new registrar, so you pay for that year even if your current registration isn't expiring soon.
  • After the transfer completes, update your nameservers at the new registrar if your website is hosted elsewhere.

Get your authorization code from your current registrar

Before you can transfer, your current registrar must give you an authorization code. This code proves you own the domain and want to move it. Different registrars call it different things: authorization code, auth code, EPP code, or transfer code. The name doesn't matter — it's the same thing.

Log into your account at your current registrar and look for a section labeled "Domain Management," "My Domains," or "Transfer Out." Most registrars have a button or link that says "Get Authorization Code" or "Unlock Domain." Click it and the code will appear on screen or be sent to your email. Write it down or copy it somewhere safe — you'll need it in the next step.

If you can't find the option, call or email your current registrar's support team. They can generate the code for you in a few minutes. Some registrars also require you to unlock the domain at the same time you request the code; others unlock it automatically.

Check that your domain is may be able to access to transfer

Most domains can be transferred, but a few situations block the process. Your domain must be at least 60 days old from the date you first registered it. If you registered it last week, you'll have to wait. This rule exists to prevent fraud.

Your domain also cannot be locked at your current registrar. Locking prevents unauthorized transfers. When you request your authorization code, most registrars unlock the domain automatically, but confirm this in your account settings. Look for a lock icon or a status that says "Unlocked."

Check your renewal settings at your current registrar. If auto-renewal is turned on and your domain renews within the next 30 days, some registrars will reject the transfer until after the renewal processes. You can turn off auto-renewal in your account settings, wait for the renewal to happen, or contact support to ask them to hold the transfer until after renewal.

Initiate the transfer at your new registrar

Go to your new registrar's website and look for a "Transfer Domain" or "Transfer In" option. Enter your domain name and click the search button. The registrar will check whether the domain can be transferred.

If the domain is may be able to access, you'll be asked to enter your authorization code. Paste it exactly as it appears — authorization codes are case-sensitive and spaces matter. The registrar will verify the code with your current registrar.

You'll then be asked to confirm the administrative contact information for the domain. This is the email address and phone number associated with the domain registration. Make sure this information is correct, because the new registrar will send a confirmation email to this address. If the email bounces or you don't confirm, the transfer will be cancelled.

Choose how many years you want to renew the registration for (usually one to ten years) and add it to your cart. The transfer fee varies by registrar and by domain extension (.com, .org, .net, etc.), but it typically costs the same as a new registration. You'll pay for one year of registration at the new registrar, even if your current registration doesn't expire for another two years.

Confirm the transfer through email

After you complete the order, the new registrar sends a confirmation email to the administrative contact address on file for your domain. Open that email and click the confirmation link. This step proves you authorized the transfer.

The confirmation link usually works for five to seven days. If you don't click it within that window, the transfer request expires and you'll have to start over. Check your spam folder if you don't see the email within an hour.

Your current registrar may also send you a notification that a transfer has been requested. Some registrars ask you to approve the transfer on their end as well. If you receive that notification, log in and approve it. This is a safety measure to prevent someone else from transferring your domain without permission.

Wait for the transfer to complete

After you confirm the transfer, the two registrars communicate behind the scenes to move the registration. This usually takes three to five business days, but can take up to two weeks depending on the registrars involved and whether there are any holds or disputes.

Your website and email continue to work during the transfer. The domain name itself doesn't go offline. You may see a status page at your new registrar showing "Transfer in Progress" or "Pending." This is normal.

Once the transfer completes, you'll receive a confirmation email from your new registrar. Your domain is now registered there, and your new registrar will send you renewal notices from that point forward.

Update your nameservers if needed

If your website is hosted at a different company than your registrar (which is common), you need to point your domain to the correct nameservers. Nameservers tell the internet where to find your website files.

Log into your account at your new registrar and find the DNS or nameserver settings for your domain. You'll see fields for nameserver addresses. If your website is hosted elsewhere, enter the nameservers provided by your hosting company. If your website is hosted at the new registrar, they usually set the nameservers automatically.

Nameserver changes take a few hours to 48 hours to propagate across the internet. During this time, your website may be unreachable or show an error page. This is temporary. If you're not sure which nameservers to use, contact your hosting company or your new registrar's support team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my website go down during the transfer?

No. Your website stays online during the transfer because the domain registration and website hosting are separate systems. The only time your website might be unreachable is if you change your nameservers after the transfer and they take time to update across the internet. This usually takes a few hours.

What if I lose my authorization code?

Contact your current registrar and ask them to send it again or generate a new one. You can request it through your account settings or by calling support. There's no charge for this.

Can I transfer a domain that's about to expire?

Yes, but it's risky. If the domain expires before the transfer completes, the transfer is cancelled. If your domain is expiring soon, renew it at your current registrar first, then start the transfer. The new registrar will add one year to whatever time remains.

Do I have to transfer my website files too?

No. Transferring the domain registration and transferring your website hosting are two separate things. You can transfer the domain and keep your website hosted where it is. If you want to move your website to a new hosting company, that's a different process handled through your hosting provider.

What if my current registrar won't give me the authorization code?

They're required to provide it. If they refuse, contact their support team in writing and explain that you want to transfer. If they still won't cooperate, you can file a complaint with ICANN, the organization that oversees domain registrars. Most registrars comply quickly once you ask formally.