How to transfer a domain to GoDaddy

To move a domain to GoDaddy, you unlock it at your current registrar, get an authorization code, then provide both to GoDaddy during the transfer process. GoDaddy will contact your current registrar to pull the domain over, which usually takes three to five business days. You pay a renewal fee (typically $0.99 to $17.99 depending on the extension) to extend the domain registration by one year as part of the transfer.

The process itself is straightforward, but timing matters: you cannot transfer a domain within 60 days of registering it or within 60 days of a previous transfer. If you recently moved the domain elsewhere, you will need to wait. Also, your domain cannot be expired or in redemption status — if it has lapsed, you may need to renew it at your current registrar first before GoDaddy can accept it.

Key Takeaways

  • You must unlock your domain at your current registrar and obtain an authorization code before GoDaddy can pull it over.
  • Transfers take three to five business days and require paying a renewal fee, which extends your registration by one year.
  • Domains cannot be transferred within 60 days of initial registration or a previous transfer, and expired domains must be renewed first.
  • After the transfer completes, your nameservers may revert to GoDaddy's defaults, so update them if you use a different hosting provider.
  • Keep your current registrar login active during the transfer in case GoDaddy needs to verify the authorization code.

Step 1: Unlock your domain at your current registrar

Log into your account at your current registrar — this might be Network Solutions, Namecheap, 1&1, or another provider. Find the domain management or DNS settings section. Look for a lock icon or a setting labeled "Domain Lock" or "Registrar Lock." Unlock it. This prevents accidental transfers and is a required security step; GoDaddy cannot pull a locked domain.

Unlocking usually takes effect immediately, though some registrars process it within an hour. Do not delete any DNS records or nameserver settings yet — those stay where they are until after the transfer completes, and you may need them to keep your website or email running during the move.

Step 2: Request an authorization code from your current registrar

While still logged into your current registrar, look for an option to generate a transfer code, authorization code, or EPP code (Extensible Provisioning Protocol code). The exact name varies by registrar. Some registrars email this code to you automatically after you unlock the domain; others require you to request it manually through your account settings.

Write down this code or save it somewhere you can find it quickly — you will need it within the next few minutes when you start the GoDaddy transfer. The code is usually a string of letters and numbers, often 8 to 16 characters long. If your registrar does not email it to you within a few minutes, check your spam folder or log back in to see if it appears in your account dashboard.

Step 3: Start the transfer at GoDaddy

Go to GoDaddy.com and log into your account. If you do not have a GoDaddy account yet, create one — you will need one to complete the transfer. Click on "Domains" in the main menu, then look for an option that says "Transfer Domain" or "Transfer In." Enter your domain name in the search box.

GoDaddy will check whether the domain can be transferred. If it shows a green checkmark, the domain is may be able to access. If it shows a warning — for example, that the domain was registered or transferred fewer than 60 days ago — you will need to wait before proceeding. Once GoDaddy confirms the domain is may be able to access, add it to your cart and proceed to checkout.

Step 4: Enter the authorization code and complete payment

During checkout, GoDaddy will ask you to enter the authorization code you received from your current registrar. Paste it into the field exactly as it was given to you — spaces and capitalization usually do not matter, but copying and pasting is safer than typing. GoDaddy will also show you the renewal fee for your domain extension. This fee extends your registration by one year from the current expiration date.

Complete the payment using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal. GoDaddy will send you a confirmation email with a reference number. Keep this email — it contains proof of your transfer request and the reference number you can use if you need to contact GoDaddy support.

Step 5: Wait for the transfer to complete and verify nameservers

GoDaddy will contact your current registrar to initiate the transfer. This usually takes three to five business days. During this time, your domain continues to work normally — your website and email do not go down. Your current registrar may send you an email asking you to confirm the transfer; if so, click the confirmation link or follow the instructions in that email.

Once the transfer completes, GoDaddy will send you a confirmation email. Log into your GoDaddy account and check your nameserver settings. If you use a third-party hosting provider (not GoDaddy), your nameservers may have reverted to GoDaddy's defaults during the transfer. If that happened, update them back to your hosting provider's nameservers so your website and email continue to work. If you use GoDaddy for hosting as well, you can leave the nameservers as they are.

What to do if the transfer gets stuck

If more than five business days have passed and GoDaddy shows the transfer as pending, contact GoDaddy support with your confirmation email and reference number. The most common reason for delays is that your current registrar did not receive or process the transfer request. GoDaddy support can resend the request or troubleshoot with your old registrar on your behalf.

If your current registrar asks you to approve the transfer and you miss the window (usually 5 to 7 days), the transfer will be cancelled. You can restart the process by requesting a new authorization code and beginning the GoDaddy transfer again. There is no penalty for restarting, though you will need to pay the renewal fee again if you complete a second transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my website go down during the transfer?

No. Your domain continues to point to your website and email throughout the transfer. The only time your site might go down is if you change your nameservers before the transfer completes, so avoid doing that until GoDaddy confirms the transfer is finished.

What if my current registrar will not unlock my domain?

Some registrars lock domains to prevent transfers. Contact their support team and ask them to unlock it. If they refuse without a legitimate reason, you can file a complaint with ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), which oversees domain registrars. ICANN has rules requiring registrars to unlock domains upon request.

Do I need to renew my domain after the transfer?

No. The renewal fee you pay during the transfer extends your registration by one year from your current expiration date. Your domain will not expire sooner because you moved it to GoDaddy.

Can I transfer my domain back to my old registrar later?

Yes. The same process works in reverse — you unlock it at GoDaddy, get an authorization code, and request a transfer at your old registrar. You will pay another renewal fee to move it back.

What if I have multiple domains to transfer?

You can transfer them one at a time using the same steps, or GoDaddy allows you to add multiple domains to a single transfer order during checkout. Transferring several at once does not speed up the process — each domain still takes three to five business days — but it simplifies payment and record-keeping.