What happens when you transfer a domain

A domain transfer moves your registration from one registrar to another — the company that holds the rights to your domain name. The domain itself stays the same, your website keeps working, and your email continues to function. What changes is which company you pay, which company's tools you use to manage DNS records, and where you log in to renew or update settings.

The transfer process takes 5 to 7 days in most cases. During that time, your domain keeps pointing to your website and email without interruption. You do not need to move your website files or change your hosting — those stay where they are. The registrar is just the middleman who manages the registration with ICANN, the organization that oversees all domain names.

Key Takeaways

  • You need an authorization code (also called an auth code or transfer code) from your current registrar before you can move your domain anywhere else.
  • Your domain must be unlocked at your current registrar, and it cannot have been registered or renewed within the last 60 days in most cases.
  • The new registrar will guide you through entering your authorization code and confirming the transfer, which usually takes 5 to 7 days to complete.
  • Your website and email keep working during the transfer as long as your DNS records are set up correctly at the new registrar before the transfer finishes.
  • You will need to renew your domain at the new registrar when it expires — your old registrar will not renew it after the transfer is complete.

Get your authorization code from your current registrar

Before you can transfer your domain, your current registrar must give you an authorization code (sometimes called an auth code, transfer code, or EPP code). This is a unique password that proves you own the domain and have permission to move it.

Log into your account at your current registrar's website. Look for a section called "Domain Management," "My Domains," or "Account Settings." Find your domain in the list and look for an option to view or generate an authorization code. Most registrars display it immediately or email it to you within minutes. Write it down or copy it somewhere safe — you will need it in the next step.

If you cannot find the authorization code option, contact your registrar's support team directly. They can send it to you by email. Some registrars require you to verify your identity before they release the code, especially if the domain was registered years ago or if the account contact information has changed.

Unlock your domain and check transfer restrictions

Most registrars lock domains by default to prevent accidental or unauthorized transfers. You must unlock your domain before the new registrar can accept it. In the same "Domain Management" section where you found your authorization code, look for a lock icon or an option to unlock the domain. Click it to unlock.

Check whether your domain has any transfer restrictions. The most common restriction is the 60-day rule: if you registered or renewed your domain within the last 60 days, ICANN rules prevent you from transferring it until that period ends. If your domain falls within this window, you will need to wait. Some registrars also place holds on domains with unpaid invoices or overdue renewals — those must be resolved before transfer.

A few registrars require you to contact support to unlock a domain, especially if it is old or if the account has been inactive. If the unlock option does not appear in your account dashboard, email support and ask them to unlock it for transfer.

Start the transfer at your new registrar

Go to your new registrar's website and look for a "Transfer Domain" or "Move Your Domain" option. This is usually on the homepage or in a menu labeled "Domains." Enter your domain name in the search box.

The new registrar will check whether your domain can be transferred. If it can, you will see a form asking for your authorization code. Paste the code you received from your old registrar. The new registrar will also ask you to choose a renewal period — typically 1 to 10 years. You will pay for this renewal as part of the transfer, so the cost is usually the registrar's standard renewal price, not a discount or premium.

Review the total cost and complete the payment. The new registrar will then send a confirmation email to the address on file at your old registrar. You must click the link in that email to confirm the transfer. This step is required by ICANN and usually must be done within 5 days.

Confirm the transfer and wait for completion

After you click the confirmation link, your old registrar will receive a transfer request. Most registrars approve transfers automatically if the domain is unlocked and the authorization code is correct. Some registrars send a second confirmation email asking you to approve the transfer — check your inbox and spam folder for this message.

The transfer usually completes within 5 to 7 days. During this time, your domain continues to work normally. Your website stays online, your email keeps functioning, and visitors can still reach you. You can check the status of your transfer in your new registrar's account dashboard — most show a progress bar or status message.

Once the transfer is complete, your new registrar becomes the official registrar of record. You will receive a confirmation email. Your old registrar will stop managing the domain, though they may send you a reminder that it is no longer registered with them.

Update your DNS records if you changed registrars

If your website and email are hosted with a different company than your registrar (which is common), you may need to update your DNS records at the new registrar. DNS records tell the internet where to find your website and email server.

Before you start the transfer, log into your old registrar and write down your current DNS records. Look for a section called "DNS," "Nameservers," or "Advanced Settings." You will see entries like "A records," "MX records," and "CNAME records." Take a screenshot or write down the values.

After the transfer completes, log into your new registrar and enter the same DNS records in the same format. This ensures your website and email keep working without interruption. If you do not update the DNS records, your domain will point nowhere and your website will not load.

If you are unsure what your DNS records should be, contact your web hosting company. They can tell you exactly what to enter at your new registrar. Many hosting companies provide step-by-step instructions for different registrars.

What to do if the transfer fails or gets stuck

If your transfer does not complete after 7 days, check your email for rejection messages from either registrar. Common reasons for failure include an incorrect authorization code, a domain that is still locked, or a domain within the 60-day transfer restriction window.

If the authorization code was wrong, go back to your old registrar and request a new one. If the domain is still locked, unlock it again and contact your old registrar's support team to confirm it is actually unlocked. If the domain is within the 60-day window, you will have to wait until that period ends.

If you have done all of these things and the transfer still has not completed, contact your new registrar's support team. Provide them with your domain name and the date you started the transfer. They can investigate whether your old registrar rejected the request and why. In rare cases, the old registrar may have a technical issue or may require manual intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my website go down during the transfer?

No, your website should stay online the entire time. Your domain keeps pointing to your hosting server during the transfer. If your website does go down, it is usually because your DNS records were not set up correctly at the new registrar, not because of the transfer itself. Contact your new registrar to verify your DNS records are entered correctly.

Can I transfer my domain if I have an active website and email?

Yes. Your website and email are hosted separately from your domain registration, so transferring the registration does not affect them. As long as your DNS records are correct at the new registrar, everything keeps working. You do not need to move your website files or change your email server.

What if my old registrar will not give me an authorization code?

Most registrars are required by ICANN to provide an authorization code within a reasonable time. If yours refuses, contact their support team in writing and explain that you want to transfer. If they still refuse, file a complaint with ICANN's registrar dispute resolution process. You can also contact your state's attorney general office if you believe the registrar is breaking consumer protection laws.

Do I lose my domain name during the transfer?

No. Your domain name stays yours throughout the process. You own it, and it keeps working. The only thing that changes is which company manages the registration on your behalf. Your domain will never be unavailable or deleted during a transfer.

How much does it cost to transfer a domain?

Transfer costs vary by registrar and by domain type. Most registrars charge between $8 and $15 per year for a standard .com transfer, though some charge more or less. The cost you see during checkout includes the transfer fee plus a one-year renewal of your domain. Check the new registrar's pricing page before you start the transfer so you know what to expect.