What happens when you transfer a domain from GoDaddy
When you transfer a domain from GoDaddy to another registrar, you are moving the registration record itself — not your website files or email. The domain name stays the same, but a different company becomes responsible for renewing it and managing its settings. GoDaddy will no longer charge you for that domain's renewal once the transfer completes.
The transfer process takes 5 to 7 days from start to finish. During that time, your website and email continue to work normally. You will need to unlock the domain in your GoDaddy account, get an authorization code, and then provide both to the new registrar. The new registrar will send you a confirmation email asking you to approve the transfer — you must click that link or the move will not happen.
GoDaddy will send you a separate confirmation email when the transfer is complete. After that, you manage the domain through your new registrar's account, not GoDaddy.
Key Takeaways
- You must unlock the domain in GoDaddy's account settings and request an authorization code before the new registrar can accept the transfer.
- The new registrar will email you a confirmation link — clicking it is required, and the transfer will fail if you do not respond within a set number of days.
- Your website and email keep working throughout the transfer; nothing goes down if you follow the steps in order.
- GoDaddy charges a transfer fee (usually $6.95 to $8.95 per year) that you pay to GoDaddy, not the new registrar, and it extends your domain registration by one year.
How to unlock your domain and get the authorization code
Log into your GoDaddy account and go to your domain list. Find the domain you want to transfer and click on it. Look for a settings or manage option — the exact label varies depending on whether you are using GoDaddy's older or newer interface, but it will be near the domain name.
In the domain settings, find the lock icon or a section labeled "Domain Lock" or "Security." The domain will show as locked by default. Click the lock to unlock it. GoDaddy may ask you to confirm this action or enter your account password again.
Once unlocked, look for "Authorization Code," "Auth Code," or "EPP Code" in the same settings area. Click to reveal or send it. GoDaddy will display the code on screen or email it to the address on file. Copy this code exactly — it is case-sensitive and you will need it when you start the transfer at the new registrar.
Starting the transfer at your new registrar
Go to the website of the registrar you have chosen. Most registrars have a "Transfer Domain" or "Transfer In" option on their homepage or in a menu labeled "Domains." Click it and enter your domain name in the search box.
The registrar will check whether the domain can be transferred. If it can, you will be asked to enter the authorization code you copied from GoDaddy. Paste it exactly as it appeared. The registrar will verify the code with GoDaddy's system.
Next, you will see a cart with the transfer fee and the option to add or renew other services. The transfer fee extends your domain registration by one year from its current expiration date. Complete the purchase. The registrar will then send a confirmation email to the address associated with your domain at GoDaddy.
Approving the transfer confirmation email
Check your email — both your inbox and spam folder — for a message from the new registrar with a subject line like "Approve Your Domain Transfer" or "Confirm Transfer Request." This email will contain a link or a code you must use to approve the move.
Click the link in the email or follow the instructions to enter the code on the registrar's website. You usually have 5 to 7 days to do this. If you do not approve within that window, the transfer request will expire and you will need to start over.
Once you approve, the transfer moves into its final phase. GoDaddy will receive the approval and release the domain. The new registrar will take over the registration record. This final handoff usually takes 24 to 48 hours.
What to do with your website and email after the transfer
Your website will continue to work during and after the transfer because the transfer only changes who manages the domain registration — it does not touch your website files or hosting. If your website is hosted with GoDaddy, it will stay there unless you also move your hosting to a different company. Those are two separate decisions.
Email works the same way. If you use GoDaddy email or forwarding, it will keep working after the transfer. The new registrar does not manage your email; they only manage the domain name. If you want to move your email to a different provider, that is a separate process.
After the transfer completes, log into your new registrar's account to confirm the domain appears there. You can now update DNS records, nameservers, or other settings through the new registrar instead of GoDaddy.
Common reasons a transfer gets stuck or fails
The most common reason is that you did not click the confirmation link in the new registrar's email. Check your spam folder and your email provider's promotions tab — the confirmation email sometimes lands there. If you cannot find it, log into your new registrar's account and look for a section showing pending transfers; many registrars let you resend the confirmation email from there.
A second common issue is entering the authorization code incorrectly. Authorization codes are case-sensitive and must be copied exactly. If you get an error saying the code is invalid, go back to GoDaddy, unlock the domain again, and request a new code.
If the domain is within 60 days of expiring, GoDaddy may not allow the transfer. You will need to renew the domain at GoDaddy first, wait a day or two for the renewal to process, and then try the transfer again.
If your domain is locked and you cannot find the unlock option, contact GoDaddy support. They can unlock it for you or troubleshoot why the unlock button is not appearing.
What GoDaddy charges and what you pay the new registrar
GoDaddy charges a transfer fee, usually between $6.95 and $8.95 per year, depending on the domain extension (.com, .net, .org, and so on). You pay this fee to GoDaddy when you initiate the transfer at the new registrar — it does not go to the new registrar. The fee extends your domain registration by one year from its current expiration date.
The new registrar does not charge an additional transfer fee. You pay only the GoDaddy transfer fee and any optional services the new registrar offers (like privacy protection or email forwarding). After the transfer, your renewal fees will be charged by the new registrar, not GoDaddy, and those fees vary by registrar and domain type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a domain if it is still within its first year at GoDaddy?
Yes, but GoDaddy may require you to have owned it for at least 60 days before allowing the transfer. If you just registered it, wait a couple of months and try again. If you are within the 60-day window and need to move it urgently, contact GoDaddy support to ask if they can make an exception.
What if I do not receive the confirmation email from the new registrar?
Check your spam and promotions folders first. If it is not there, log into your new registrar's account and look for a pending transfers section — many registrars let you resend the confirmation email yourself. If you still cannot find it, contact the new registrar's support team with your domain name and the email address on file.
Will my website go down during the transfer?
No. The transfer only changes who manages the domain registration. Your website files stay where they are, and your hosting does not change unless you move it separately. Your site will remain online and accessible throughout the 5 to 7 day transfer process.
Can I transfer a domain if I owe GoDaddy money?
GoDaddy will usually block the transfer if your account is past due. Pay any outstanding balance on your GoDaddy account first, then unlock the domain and request the authorization code.
How long does it take for the new registrar to show the domain as active in my account?
Once you approve the transfer confirmation email, it typically takes 24 to 48 hours for the domain to appear in your new registrar's account and for you to be able to manage it there. You can check the status by logging into your new registrar's account and looking at your domain list.