Table of Contents
What Is a Domain Transfer?
A domain transfer is the process of moving a domain name's registration from one registrar (the company that manages the domain) to another. The domain name itself, DNS records, and WHOIS data remain unchanged — only the registrar managing the domain changes.
Key distinction: transferring a registrar ≠ moving hosting. A domain transfer has no effect on your web hosting, email, or DNS records — your website stays online throughout the process.
When Should You Switch Registrars?
- Renewal prices are too high — many registrars offer cheap first-year deals then charge full price on renewal
- Better management interface needed — easier DNS editing, WHOIS privacy, 2FA
- Consolidate domain + hosting — single billing, one support team
- Poor support quality — slow response times, language barriers
- Feature needs — Auto-Renew, DNSSEC, API access
| Situation | Transfer Recommended? |
|---|---|
| Renewal price 30%+ higher than competitors | ✅ Yes |
| Support response time >24 hours | ✅ Yes |
| Domain registered less than 60 days ago | ❌ Must wait |
| Domain has expired | ❌ Renew first |
| Domain under active dispute | ❌ Resolve first |
| Want domain + hosting at one provider | ✅ Yes |
Checklist Before You Transfer
1 Check domain age
ICANN requires at least 60 days since registration or last transfer. If under 60 days, you must wait.
2 Check expiry date
The domain should have at least 15 days remaining. If close to expiry, renew at the current registrar first.
3 Verify WHOIS email
The system sends a transfer confirmation to the WHOIS contact email. Make sure you can receive email there. Update WHOIS if needed.
4 Unlock the domain
Registrars lock domains by default (Registrar Lock / Client Transfer Prohibited). Log in to your current registrar's control panel and disable the lock.
EPP Auth Code Explained
The EPP Auth Code (also called Authorization Code, Transfer Code, or Domain Secret) is a 6–16 character alphanumeric string unique to each domain. It acts as the "key" that proves you own the domain and authorizes the gaining registrar to initiate the transfer at the registry level.
How to get your EPP Auth Code
- GoDaddy: My Products → Domains → your domain → Transfer Domain → Get authorization code
- Namecheap: Domain List → Manage → Sharing & Transfer → Auth Code
- Most registrars: Login → Domain management → Request Auth Code (or EPP Code)
Step-by-Step Transfer Process
1 Unlock the domain at your current registrar
Log in to your current registrar's control panel, find "Unlock Domain" or "Disable Registrar Lock," and enable it.
2 Obtain the EPP Auth Code
Request the authorization code from your current registrar via the control panel or by contacting support.
3 Initiate transfer at the new registrar
Go to your new registrar's website, enter the domain name, provide the Auth Code, and pay the transfer fee (which includes a 1-year renewal).
4 Approve the transfer via email
The system sends a confirmation email to your WHOIS contact. Click "Approve" or "Confirm" to speed up the process.
5 Wait for the current registrar to release
The losing registrar has 5 days to approve or reject. If no action is taken, the transfer completes automatically after 5 days.
6 Transfer complete
The domain now appears in your new registrar's control panel with 1 additional year added to the expiry date.
How Long Does It Take?
| Phase | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unlock + obtain Auth Code | Instant – 48 hours | Depends on losing registrar |
| Submit transfer request + payment | Instant | Done at the new registrar |
| Owner email confirmation | Instant (if approved quickly) | Faster = better |
| Losing registrar releases domain | 0–5 days | Some release immediately |
| Transfer fully complete | 1–7 days total | Combining all steps |
Transfer Costs
Domain transfers require paying a 1-year renewal fee at the gaining registrar, as ICANN mandates that every transfer includes a renewal.
| TLD | Typical Transfer Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| .com | $8–12 USD/year | Includes 1-year renewal |
| .net | $10–14 USD/year | Includes 1-year renewal |
| .org | $10–15 USD/year | Includes 1-year renewal |
| .co.th / .th | Contact THNIC directly | Different process |
| .io / .co | $25–40 USD/year | Premium TLD pricing |
Impact on DNS and Your Website
The most common concern is whether the website will go offline. The answer is no, if done correctly:
- Transfer only changes the registrar — Nameservers and DNS records are untouched
- Website, email, and SSL remain active throughout the transfer
- After transfer, verify that the nameservers in the new registrar's panel are correct — some registrars reset to their own nameservers by default
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting to unlock the domain — transfer fails immediately
- Inaccessible WHOIS email — can't receive confirmation email, transfer stalls
- Domain under 60 days old — ICANN lock prevents transfer
- Wrong or expired Auth Code — codes often expire after 7–30 days; obtain a fresh one
- Domain expires during transfer — renew first if less than 30 days remain
- No DNS backup — nameserver changes can erase records
FAQ
How long does a domain transfer take?
Typically 5–7 business days. If you approve the transfer email immediately and the current registrar releases quickly, it can complete in as little as 24 hours.
What is an EPP Auth Code?
A secret alphanumeric code (6–16 characters) that proves domain ownership, required by the gaining registrar to initiate the transfer at the registry level.
Will the domain lose expiry time?
No. Transferring always adds 1 year to the expiry date. If 6 months remain, after transfer you'll have 1 year and 6 months.
Can I transfer a domain registered less than 60 days ago?
No. ICANN enforces a 60-day lock after registration or the last transfer. You must wait until the 60-day period has elapsed.
Will my website go down during transfer?
No, provided your DNS nameservers stay the same. A domain transfer moves the registrar only — it has no effect on hosting, DNS, or email.
What if the old registrar refuses the transfer?
ICANN allows registrars to deny transfers only for valid reasons (active dispute, non-payment, etc.). Unjustified refusals can be reported through ICANN's Transfer Dispute Resolution Policy (TDRP).
Summary
Transferring a domain is straightforward when you follow the correct steps: (1) verify the domain is at least 60 days old, (2) update your WHOIS email, (3) unlock the domain, (4) obtain the EPP Auth Code, then (5) initiate the transfer at your new registrar. The process takes 1–7 days and automatically adds 1 year to your domain's expiry date.