Domains
Transfer a domain properly.
A domain transfer is not a migration of files or email. It is a change of registrar, and it only works when the name is unlocked, the auth code is right, and the registrant contact confirms it. Below is the plain explanation of each step and every common failure.
What it is
Moving the registration, not the site.
The domain name itself keeps pointing to the same servers. The only thing that changes is which registrar maintains the registration record.
The registrar changes
Your current registrar releases the name. The new registrar becomes the registrar of record. DNS, hosting, email, and any connected services stay where they are unless you also move those separately.
You must be the registrant
Only the registrant of record or the administrative contact can approve a transfer. If you are not listed in the WHOIS or registration data, the transfer will stop until the listed person authorizes it.
It is not instant
A transfer is a multi-day protocol. The current registrar has a window to confirm or deny, and the registry updates only after that window closes without a denial.
What you need
Three things before you start.
- 01
The auth code
The auth code is a unique string tied to your domain. It proves the transfer request is authorized. Get it from your current registrar's control panel, or ask their support team. Some call it an EPP code, transfer key, or authorization code. It is the same thing.
- 02
The transfer lock removed
Most registrars place a "client transfer prohibited" status on new registrations by default. You must remove this status before the transfer can start. The control panel usually has an "Unlock" toggle.
- 03
A working registrant email
The gaining registrar sends a transfer authorization request to the registrant or administrative contact email on record. If that email is outdated, filtered, or wrong, the transfer stops. Update the contact email before you begin.
The 60-day lock
Two events trigger a mandatory wait.
ICANN policy requires a 60-day lock after the domain is first registered or after a material change to the registrant contact. Some registrars also lock the name for 60 days after a transfer. During this window the domain cannot be transferred to another registrar through the standard self-service workflow.
Source: ICANN Transfer Policy, section I.A.3.7.5 and 3.8.5.
Why transfers fail
The honest list.
Every failure below is fixable, but only if you know which one you are dealing with.
Wrong auth code
The current registrar rejects the request. Request a fresh code and copy it exactly, including any case sensitivity.
Domain is locked
The transfer-prohibited status must be removed at the current registrar before the transfer can proceed.
Within 60 days of registration or a registrant change
ICANN enforces a 60-day lock after initial registration or after a material change to the registrant contact. You must wait it out.
Registrant email not confirmed
The authorization email was not answered, went to spam, or went to an old address. Update the contact and restart the transfer.
Expired or redeeming domain
Many registrars block transfers on expired domains. Renew the domain first. If it is already in redemption, you must restore it before it can move.
Remaining time
You do not lose the time you already paid for.
For generic top-level domains, ICANN's Transfer Policy extends the registration by one year when a transfer completes, provided the total unexpired term does not exceed ten years. The remaining time you paid the previous registrar carries forward, and the new year is added on top.
Country-code domains and some special TLDs may follow different registry rules. If you are transferring one of those, ask us and we will check the specific policy before starting.
Transfers now
We handle them by hand.
The transfer flow is part of the Web Fortuners storefront. Place a transfer request through the store, send us the details, and we run the steps. We tell you if anything blocks it. Web Fortuners is the reseller of record; the registry infrastructure behind these transfers is operated by our upstream provider.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
The things people ask before transferring a domain. Yours is not here? Ask it directly.
What is a domain transfer?
A domain transfer moves the registration of a domain name from one registrar to another. Your website, email, and DNS settings do not stop working; only the administrative record of who manages the name changes.
Where do I get the auth code?
The auth code, also called an EPP code or transfer key, comes from your current registrar. It is usually in the domain management panel, sometimes under a "Transfer" or "Security" tab. If you cannot find it, ask them to provide it.
Why was my transfer denied?
The most common reasons are a wrong auth code, a transfer lock on the domain, a 60-day lock after registration or a registrant change, an unanswered authorization email, or an expired domain. Each reason is explained on this page.
How long does a transfer take?
Once the auth code is correct and the transfer is authorized, most generic top-level domains complete within five to seven calendar days unless the current registrar actively approves it sooner.
Do I keep the remaining registration time?
For generic top-level domains, ICANN policy extends the registration by one year when a transfer completes, up to a maximum of ten years total, so the time you already paid for is not lost.