When and why you might transfer a domain within GoDaddy
You may need to move a domain from one GoDaddy account to another if you're consolidating accounts, transferring ownership to someone else, or separating business and personal domains. GoDaddy calls this process an account transfer, and it's different from transferring a domain to a different registrar — the domain stays with GoDaddy the whole time.
The process takes about five to seven business days once initiated. During that time, the domain remains active and your website keeps working. You'll need access to both the sending and receiving GoDaddy accounts, and the receiving account must already exist before you start.
Key Takeaways
- Domain transfers within GoDaddy require you to have both accounts set up and ready before you begin the process.
- The domain owner (listed on the WHOIS record) must authorize the transfer from the sending account.
- GoDaddy sends confirmation emails to both accounts; you must accept the transfer in the receiving account to complete it.
- The transfer takes five to seven business days, and your website remains online throughout the process.
- If the transfer is rejected or expires, you can restart it without losing your domain or paying additional fees.
What you need before starting the transfer
Gather the following before you initiate the transfer: login credentials for both GoDaddy accounts, the domain name you're moving, and access to the email address associated with the receiving account. The receiving account must already be created and active in GoDaddy's system.
If you're transferring a domain you don't own (for example, if you're an employee moving a company domain to a new account), you'll need written authorization from the domain owner. GoDaddy may request this documentation if there's any dispute about who owns the domain.
Steps to transfer the domain from the sending account
Log into the GoDaddy account that currently holds the domain. Navigate to your domain list and find the domain you want to transfer. Click on the domain name to open its settings page.
Look for an option labeled "Transfer domain" or "Move domain" — the exact wording varies depending on which version of the GoDaddy interface you're using. Select this option. GoDaddy will ask you to confirm the receiving account's email address. Enter the email address associated with the GoDaddy account you want to move the domain to.
Review the summary of what's about to happen. GoDaddy will show you the domain name, the sending account email, and the receiving account email. Confirm that all details are correct, then submit the transfer request. At this point, GoDaddy sends a confirmation email to both accounts.
Accepting the transfer in the receiving account
The receiving account will receive an email from GoDaddy with the subject line containing "domain transfer" or "account transfer." This email includes a link to accept or reject the transfer. You must click this link and log into the receiving GoDaddy account to proceed.
Once you're logged in, GoDaddy displays the transfer details again. Review them to make sure the domain name is correct and that you recognize the sending account. Click the button to accept the transfer. This action completes your part of the process.
GoDaddy then processes the transfer in the background. You'll receive confirmation emails in both accounts once the transfer is complete, usually within five to seven business days. The domain will now appear in your receiving account's domain list, and you can manage it from there.
What happens to your website and email during the transfer
Your website remains online and accessible throughout the entire transfer. The domain's nameservers don't change, so any websites or email services pointing to this domain continue to work without interruption. DNS records stay in place and don't need to be updated.
If you have email forwarding or GoDaddy-hosted email set up on this domain, those services continue to function during the transfer. After the transfer completes, you can manage these services from the receiving account.
What to do if the transfer is rejected or expires
If you don't accept the transfer within the timeframe GoDaddy provides (usually 14 days), the transfer request expires. You won't lose the domain — it simply stays in the sending account. You can restart the transfer process at any time by logging back into the sending account and initiating it again.
If the receiving account rejects the transfer, the domain returns to the sending account immediately. You can try again after confirming that the receiving account email address is correct and that the receiving account is active and in good standing.
If you encounter an error message during the transfer, check that both GoDaddy accounts are in good standing (no unpaid invoices or account holds). Some account restrictions prevent transfers until they're resolved. Contact GoDaddy support if you need help removing a restriction.
Managing the domain after the transfer completes
Once the transfer is complete, the domain appears in the receiving account's domain list. You can now renew it, update DNS records, change nameservers, or modify WHOIS information from the receiving account. The sending account no longer has access to manage this domain.
If you need to transfer the domain back to the original account later, you follow the same process in reverse — initiate the transfer from the receiving account and accept it in the sending account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does transferring a domain between GoDaddy accounts cost money?
No. Moving a domain from one GoDaddy account to another is free. You only pay if you renew the domain or add services like privacy protection or email forwarding.
Can I transfer a domain if it's locked?
No. If the domain has a lock enabled (a security feature that prevents unauthorized transfers), you must unlock it in the sending account before starting the transfer. Unlock the domain in its settings, wait a few minutes for the change to take effect, then initiate the transfer.
What if I don't have access to the receiving account's email?
You won't be able to complete the transfer without access to the receiving account's email address. GoDaddy sends the confirmation link to that email, and you need to click it to accept. If you've lost access to that email, contact GoDaddy support to verify your identity and update the account email address first.
Will my domain renewal date change after the transfer?
No. The domain's renewal date stays the same. The transfer doesn't extend or shorten your registration period. You'll continue to renew on the same date you would have in the original account.