What happens when you transfer a domain to GoDaddy

Transferring a domain to GoDaddy means moving the registration of your domain name from your current registrar to GoDaddy's servers. GoDaddy becomes the company that manages your domain's renewal, DNS records, and contact information. Your website itself does not move — only the registration record changes hands. If your site is hosted elsewhere, it stays there.

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 your domain at your current registrar, get an authorization code, and then initiate the transfer through GoDaddy. The process is reversible up until the moment the transfer completes — after that, your old registrar no longer controls the domain.

Key Takeaways

  • You must unlock your domain at your current registrar and obtain an authorization code before GoDaddy can accept the transfer.
  • GoDaddy charges a transfer fee (usually $0.99 to $8.99 depending on the domain extension) and extends your registration by one year.
  • The transfer takes 5 to 7 days, and you must confirm the transfer through an email sent to your domain's administrative contact during that window.
  • Your website and email continue working throughout the transfer; only the registrar managing the domain changes.
  • If you have privacy protection or other add-ons at your current registrar, you will need to purchase them again at GoDaddy if you want to keep them.

Step 1: Unlock your domain at your current registrar

Before GoDaddy can accept your domain, your current registrar must unlock it. Most registrars lock domains by default to prevent accidental transfers. Log into your account at your current registrar's website, find the domain management section, and look for a lock or security setting. The exact location varies by registrar — it might be under "Domain Settings," "Security," or "Transfer Settings."

Click the lock icon or toggle to unlock the domain. Some registrars require you to verify your identity or wait a short period before the unlock takes effect. Write down the date you unlock it; if the transfer does not begin within 60 days, the domain will lock again automatically.

Step 2: Get your authorization code from your current registrar

An authorization code (also called an auth code, transfer code, or EPP code) is a unique string of letters and numbers that proves you own the domain. Your current registrar must provide this to you. In most registrar accounts, you can request the code yourself from the same domain management section where you unlocked the domain. The code is usually emailed to the administrative contact on file within minutes.

If you cannot find where to request the code, contact your current registrar's support team directly. Have your domain name and account information ready. Keep the code in a safe place — you will need it to complete the transfer at GoDaddy.

Step 3: Initiate the transfer at GoDaddy

Go to GoDaddy's website and log into your account (or create one if you do not have one). Look for the "Transfer Domain" option, usually found in the main navigation or under a "Domains" menu. Enter your domain name in the search box and click to proceed.

GoDaddy will check whether the domain can be transferred and show you the transfer fee. Most transfers cost between $0.99 and $8.99 depending on the domain extension (.com, .net, .org, etc.). The fee includes a one-year renewal of your registration. Add the domain to your cart and proceed to checkout. You will be asked to enter your authorization code during this step — paste it exactly as your current registrar provided it.

Step 4: Confirm the transfer via email

After you complete the purchase at GoDaddy, an email will be sent to the administrative contact address on file for your domain. This email comes from your current registrar and asks you to confirm that you want to transfer the domain. You must click the confirmation link or reply to approve the transfer within a set time window (usually 5 to 7 days). If you do not confirm, the transfer will be cancelled.

Check your inbox and spam folder for this email. If you do not receive it within a few hours, contact your current registrar to verify that the administrative contact email address is correct. Once you confirm, the transfer process continues automatically.

Step 5: Wait for the transfer to complete

After you confirm the transfer, GoDaddy and your current registrar exchange the domain information. This usually takes 24 to 48 hours, though it can take up to 7 days. During this time, your website and email continue to work without interruption. You can check the status of your transfer in your GoDaddy account under "My Domains" — it will show a progress indicator or status message.

Once the transfer is complete, you will receive a confirmation email from GoDaddy. At that point, GoDaddy is your registrar, and you manage the domain through your GoDaddy account going forward.

What to do if your domain has add-ons or privacy protection

If you have privacy protection, WHOIS privacy, or other add-on services at your current registrar, those do not transfer to GoDaddy. You will need to purchase them again if you want to keep them. Privacy protection hides your personal contact information from public WHOIS lookups and typically costs $5 to $15 per year depending on the registrar.

Before you transfer, decide whether you want these services at GoDaddy. You can purchase them immediately after the transfer completes, or wait and add them later. Some registrars offer a discount on privacy protection during the transfer process, so check GoDaddy's pricing before you complete the transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer a domain that is less than 60 days old?

No. ICANN rules require that domains be at least 60 days old before they can be transferred. If your domain is newer than that, you will need to wait. You can initiate the transfer request at GoDaddy, but it will not complete until the 60-day window has passed.

What if my current registrar will not unlock my domain?

Contact your registrar's support team and explain that you want to transfer the domain. They are required by law to unlock it and provide an authorization code. If they refuse or delay unreasonably, you can file a complaint with ICANN. In rare cases, you may need to provide proof of ownership or identity.

Will my website go down during the transfer?

No. The transfer only changes which company manages your domain registration. Your website hosting and email service are separate and continue to work normally. Your DNS records (which point your domain to your website) remain in place unless you change them.

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

Yes. The same process works in reverse. You unlock the domain at GoDaddy, get an authorization code, and initiate a transfer at your old registrar. You will pay another transfer fee, and the process takes another 5 to 7 days.

What if I forget my authorization code?

Log into your GoDaddy account and request a new code from the domain management section. GoDaddy will email it to you. If you have already initiated the transfer and the code has expired, you can request a new one and update it in your transfer request.