domain name transfers faq
Domains

Domain Name Transfers – The Most Common Questions Answered

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Whether you're looking to switch service providers, consolidate your portfolio, or simply trying to understand the process better, navigating domain transfers can be both crucial and confusing. In this comprehensive guide, we answer the most common questions surrounding domain name transfers, giving you all the necessary information and confidence for you to complete this process in a seamless and efficient manner.

Domain names are one of the most important assets for website owners. After all, you've probably spent years developing your online brand and presence, putting tons of efforts in your website. Once you've built your online rep and audience, it's all tied to your domain name - it carries all the history of your website, so it's crucial that you keep it safe and renew promptly to avoid possible downtime.

However, sooner or later, most domain name owners have to go through the process of transferring their domain registration from one provider to another. The actual procedure is rather simple, but without the necessary experience and knowledge, it might seem quite mysterious and straight up dangerous for the uptime of your emails and website. That's why we've decided to set up this FAQ guide - to answer some of the most common questions and concerns regarding domain name transfers.

What's a domain name transfer? Understanding the process

A domain name transfer refers to the process of moving the management of a registered domain name from one ICANN-accredited registrar to another. In essence, transferring the domain means changing the company responsible for maintaining the domain registration details and providing domain-related services, such as DNS management and renewal. The most common reasons for transferring a domain are better pricing, improved service, or consolidating services under a single provider.

Gaining Registrar, Losing Registrar, EPP code. What do all of these terms mean?

Let's break down some of the most common terms concerning domain transfers.

  • Registrant - a domain registrant is the individual, organization, or entity that holds the rights and ownership to the actual domain.
  • Gaining Registrar - gaining registrar refers to the new domain registrar to which a domain is being transferred. The term "gaining registrar" is used because they gain control and management of the domain name registration once the transfer process has completed. The gaining registrar is responsible for handling the domain registration, renewal, and related services after the transfer process is finalized.
  • Losing Registrar - this is the registrar from which the domain is being moved away.
  • Auth Code / EPP Code (Authorization or Extensible Provisioning Protocol) - this code is required in order to start a domain transfer procedure. It's similar to a password, and it acts as a safety mechanism to ensure that the actual domain owner is the one who has requested and authorized the domain transfer. The EPP code can only be sent to the registrant email set for the domain. This is the part that guarantees that only the actual domain owner can authorize a transfer, because they are the only entity that can receive the EPP code. The EPP code can only be requested from the current/losing registrar. In other words, if you wish to obtain the EPP code for your domain, you should contact your current registrar or look under their online domain management panel.

How do I transfer my domain name to a new registrar?

In order to transfer your domain to another registrar, you would first have to unlock the domain and obtain the actual Authorization code (EPP Code). Also, if you have WHOIS Privacy enabled for your domain, you should disable it before initiating the transfer. All of these actions are done at the current (losing) registrar.

Typically, your current registrar would provide an online interface (their website), where you can unlock the domain, obtain the EPP code, and turn off the WHOIS Privacy. If you have difficulties performing one of these steps, you should contact your domain registrar for help.

Once you have the domain unlocked, you should submit a transfer request order at the new/gaining registrar. Usually, they would require that you cover a domain transfer fee. You should also provide the new registrar with the EPP code obtained from the current (losing) registrar.

When you've settled the transfer fee (if any) and provided the EPP code, the new registrar should confirm to you that they have started the domain transfer procedure. You should be given a domain transfer ID, which you can later use to monitor the status of the domain transfer procedure at their system.

In summary, here are the three things you must do in order to start domain transfer:

  1. Unlock the domain.
  2. Obtain the actual Authorization code (EPP Code).
  3. Disable WHOIS Privacy, if active.

How do I find my current domain registrar?

You can find your current domain registrar by doing a WHOIS lookup on your domain. There are a lot of free WHOIS lookup tools online, and you can always refer to ICANN's registration data lookup tool. You just need to enter your domain and look under the Registrar Information section.

Finding your domain registrar

How long does it take to transfer a domain?

Typically, it takes 5-7 days for a transfer to complete automatically. Some registrars offer an option to speed up the process.

Note that the time frame also depends on the TLD of the domain. For example, transfers of .eu domains are instant, granted that you've provided the gaining registrar the correct Authorization code.

Can I speed up a domain transfer?

For generic TLDs, such as .com, .net, .org, the speed of a domain transfer depends mostly on the losing registrar. Instead of waiting for the automatic release period of 5-7 days, you can manually approve the transfer. Typically, the losing registrar would send an approval request to the registrant email for the domain. The email would contain a link to a web page, where you can manually "Approve" or "Reject" the transfer request.

domain transfer approval email
Domain Transfer Approval Email

Without manually approving the domain transfer at the losing registrar's end, the process can take 5-7 days. This is the standard period of ICANN's default auto-release. If you manually approve the transfer at the losing registrar's end, the procedure often completes within a few hours.

Here are the things you need to do, in order to ensure the fastest possible domain transfer:

  1. Check the Registrant contact email. Make sure it's valid and that you can receive messages sent to it. This is where the Authorization code and approval message would be sent.
  2. If the domain transfer process require updating the Registrant contact email or other WHOIS details, make sure you opt out of the "60-days hold". Some registrars apply a “60-day hold” after WHOIS updates.
  3. Obtain the Authorization code from the losing registrar. In case you do not receive the email with the EPP code within four hours of requesting it, you can contact them again and ask them to resend the message.
  4. Make sure the domain is unlocked before starting the transfer.
  5. Disable WHOIS Privacy, as it could cause issues with receiving verification emails and other important messages from ICANN related to your domain registration.

Where can I check on the status of my domain transfer request?

There are three "places", where you can track the progress of your domain transfer:

  1. At the gaining registrar - when you order a domain transfer, the gaining registrar (the one you are transferring to) will usually provide a confirmation (order) number. You can then use that confirmation number or the actual domain to monitor the status of the transfer either at their control panel or by contacting their support service. The gaining registrar should be able to tell if the actual EPP code was accepted successfully, and whether the losing registrar has approved the transfer.
  2. At the losing registrar - as mentioned, the losing registrar would usually send out a confirmation email allowing you to approve or reject the transfer. Other than that, the losing registrar might not be able to provide more details on the current stage of the procedure.
  3. At the public WHOIS - you can perform a WHOIS lookup on your domain and check on its status at the global registry. There, you should look at the Domain Status field. If the status is pendingTransfer, this would indicate that the transfer is in progress. If the status is clientTransferProhibited, it means that the domain is currently locked and a transfer is not possible. An OK status means that the domain is unlocked and ready for transfer.

My domain was transferred, but my website is still not showing up. Why?

If you've ordered a domain transfer as part of moving to another hosting provider, keep in mind that the actual transfer procedure does not point the domain automatically to your new host. By definition, domain transfers do not alter the domain's DNS settings. The name servers configured for your domain when ordering the transfer will remain set for it once the procedure completes. Another important rule to remember is that the domain's name servers cannot be changed while the transfer procedure is ongoing.

So if your domain transfer completed and your website is not showing up, you probably need to update the name servers to point it to your new host. In case you've not changed your hosting provider, but simply performed a domain transfer, then the actual problem (e.g. website down) is probably not related to the transfer at all.

When the domain transfer completes, the gaining registrar should send you a notification email. This is the point where you can log in to their interface and update your domain's DNS settings, if needed.

My domain has expired. Can I transfer it to you?

In theory, ICANN rules allow transfers of expired domains during the initial grace period. The domain must not be in redemption status, which usually happens around 30 days after expiry. However, some of the most popular registrars would not allow the outgoing transfer of an expired domain. They will require that you renew the domain first, before you can transfer it away. This is also the case at the registrar we use - eNom.com.

You should also bear in mind that there are some special cases here. For example, some country code domains (ccTLD) cannot be transferred at all, if expired.

The general rule to remember is if your domain has expired, it's best to renew it at the current registrar first. Depending on how long ago the domain expired, the registrar could impose an additional penalty fee. Only after the domain has been renewed, would you be able to initiate a transfer.

Is There a Domain Name for Life? A Brief Look at the Domain Lifecycle

What are the rules for domain transfers?

Domain transfers follow different rules depending on the registry and the TLD. However, the most popular TLDs (.com, .net, .org) follow ICANN's regulations, and we can break them down in the following categories.

1. Transfer Locks

  • Newly registered domains cannot be transferred during the first 60 days of registration.
  • Changing the WHOIS details associated with a domain (such as the registrant contact's name, organization, or email), could lock the domain for the next 60 days. This also depends on the particular registrar and its settings. For example, here at ICDSoft, we offer users the option to opt out of that 60-days transfer lock:
60-days transfer lock

2. Expired Domains

  • As previously mentioned, ICANN allows the transfer of expired domains, as long as they are within the first 30 days of expiry. However, the most popular registrars out there do not allow outbound transfers of expired domains. If your domain has expired, it's best to renew it at the current registrar first. Afterwards, you can initiate a transfer, but it's best to wait for 45 days (see the 45-day transfer rule).
  • Domains in redemption status (usually 30+ days after expiry) cannot be transferred away. Such domains would have to be renewed/reactivated first. Typically, there is an additional "RGP" fee that must be covered on top of the regular renewal fee.

3. Authorization Code

For most generic TLDs, an Authorization code is required in order to initiate a domain transfer. As previously mentioned, you should contact the current/losing registrar to unlock the domain and obtain the Authorization Code (EPP). An important domain transfer rule to remember here is that, according to ICANN, registrars must provide a way for domain owners to obtain the Authorization Code in a "secure manner".

The registrars have the option to choose to provide the EPP code to the Registrant contact, or to the admin contact. Registrars could opt to provide the EPP code to the domain owner in a web portal (e.g. their Control Panel), or via email sent to the registrant or admin contact.

4. Owner Approval

Domain transfers require the approval of the actual domain owner in order to complete successfully.

Here is an important ICANN rule concerning domain ownership disputes between admin and registrant contacts and the required approval:

The Administrative Contact and the Registered Name Holder, as listed in the Losing Registrar's or applicable Registry's (where available) publicly accessible WHOIS service are the only parties that have the authority to approve or deny a transfer request to the Gaining Registrar. In the event of a dispute, the Registered Name Holder's authority supersedes that of the Administrative Contact.

ICANN Transfer Policy

Note that the EPP code serves as the actual "approval". Since it's only accessible to the registrant or admin contact, providing it to the gaining registrar works as a de facto transfer approval. In addition, ICANN's regulations make it clear that the registrant contact supersedes the admin contact, and that's why a lot of registrars only send the EPP code to it (the registrant email).

Will my domain renew with another year on transfer?

For the most popular TLDs (.com, .net, .org), a domain transfer also counts as a renewal. An additional year is added to the domain’s expiration date upon successful completion of the transfer.

However, there are two particular cases where a domain transfer will not act as renewal:

  1. 10-year maximum registration rule - if the renewal would push the domain's registration period beyond the maximum allowed 10-year period. Basically, in accordance with ICANN's rules and regulations on gTLDs (like .com, .net, .org), a domain name cannot be registered for more than ten years into the future.
  2. The 45-day transfer rule: if the domain is transferred within the first 45 days of a renewal, an additional year *might* not be added, depending on the registrars involved. This rule is quite registrar-specific, so if you are in a similar situation, you should confirm with your gaining registrar.

Why do I have to wait 60 days to transfer my domain?

A 60-day lock is only imposed on newly registered domains and in the event of a WHOIS change depending on the registrar's settings or domain owner's selection (see Transfer Lock Rules). If your domain does not fall in any of these categories, then you should not have to wait for 60 days to transfer your domain.

Do emails transfer with domain transfer?

No. Transferring your domain to another registrar (or host) will not transfer over your emails automatically. In fact, your domain's email service will remain unaffected, as long as the DNS settings (especially MX records) stay the same. Email accounts under the transferred domain should continue to work as previously, at the same provider. This is true unless, for some reason, the gaining registrar modifies your domain's DNS settings after the transfer and updates them to their values.

Keep in mind, however, that some registrars reset the domain's name servers after incoming transfers to their own defaults. If that happens, it would most likely break your domain's email as the MX records would be lost (unless copied over in advance). You may wish to confirm with your gaining registrar if the DNS servers will remain unchanged after successful transfer (they should).

How much does a transfer cost?

Typically, domain transfers cost as much as the actual domain registration or renewal for the corresponding TLD. The idea is that the transfer would also act as a renewal, so the transfer fee often matches the actual fee for registration/renewal.

Again, however, the transfer fee could vary depending on the registrar you are transferring to. Some registrars offer a discount on transfer fees in order to attract new customers.

Here at ICDSoft, our domain pricing policy is designed with the idea of allowing users to purchase/renew domains at a low price. We offer a discount on domain transfers for the primary domain associated with a given hosting account. For more details, please refer to our Domain pricing list.

How do I transfer my domain to ICDSoft?

Firstly, you should check if we offer registration services for the TLD you are looking to transfer. You can transfer any of the domains listed on our Domains page. Secondly, you should make sure you've covered the domain transfer requirements covered previously (unlock the domain, obtain EPP code). The next step is to log into your Account Panel, where you would be able to order the actual domain transfer. If you are a new customer, you can register for a free account.

Once you've logged into the Account Panel, go to the Order/Transfer Domain menu. There, enter the domain you are looking to transfer in the Domain field and press the Check button. The system will automatically identify that this is an existing domain and will show an additional field, where you would have to enter the EPP code. If you are looking to host the domain here, make sure to select the actual hosting account next to the Existing Hosting Account field. In case you only wish to have it registered here, you should switch the Order Type to "Standalone". Once you've filled out the form, press the Add to cart button at the bottom to submit the transfer fee and complete the order.

Ordering a domain transfer at ICDSoft

As soon as the system processes your domain transfer order, you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive another email when the domain transfer completes, or if an issue occurs.

Wrapping Up
Domain transfers can feel a little confusing at first, but once you understand the key terms, the process is actually quite straightforward. Whether you’re switching registrars for better pricing, improved support, or consolidated management, knowing what to expect helps avoid delays and surprises.

If you’re considering moving your domain, ICDSoft makes the process simple and transparent. Our team is always here to guide you through each step, answer any questions, and ensure your domain transfer goes smoothly.

👉 Ready to get started? Transfer your domain to ICDSoft today and experience hassle-free domain management with expert support.

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A web hosting provider since 2001. We host over 58,000 websites for customers in over 140 countries around the globe.

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