How to Transfer a Domain Name to Another Registrar (2026 Guide)
Unhappy with your registrar's prices, dashboard, or support? You can move a domain to a different one, and it's more routine than it sounds. A transfer usually adds a year to your registration, so it costs about the same as a renewal, and your website and email keep working throughout.
Here's the whole process:
- 1Unlock the domainAt your current registrar, turn off the transfer lock (and privacy, briefly).
- 2Get the EPP codeRequest the authorization / EPP code, it's emailed to you.
- 3Start the transferAt the new registrar, enter the domain, paste the code, and pay (it usually adds a year).
- 4Approve itConfirm via the email both registrars send. Don't ignore it, silence can cancel the move.
- 5Wait a few daysTransfers finish in up to about five days. Your registration stays safe the whole time.
Before you start: the requirements
A transfer is blocked unless a few conditions are met. Check these first to avoid frustration:
| Requirement | Why |
|---|---|
| Domain is 60+ days old | ICANN locks new registrations and recent transfers for 60 days |
| Not about to expire | Renew first if it's close to the expiry date |
| Transfer lock is off | The registrar-level lock must be disabled |
| Valid admin email | The approval link is sent there |
| EPP / auth code | Proves you authorised the move |
The 60-day rule (the one that catches people)
ICANN, the body that governs domains, imposes a 60-day transfer lock after you register a domain or after a previous transfer. It's not your registrar being difficult, it's an anti-fraud rule that applies everywhere. If your domain is newer than 60 days, you simply have to wait it out.
Will my website or email go down?
No, not if you do it right. A transfer moves who manages the registration, not your DNS settings, which carry over. To be safe, don't change your nameservers or DNS during the transfer, and your site and email keep running without interruption. Only make DNS changes once the transfer has fully completed.
How long does a transfer take?
Usually up to about five days. Much of that is a mandatory waiting period, and you can often speed it up by clicking the approval email your current registrar sends. Ignore that email and the transfer can stall for the full window or cancel entirely, so watch your inbox.
Why people transfer, and where to
The usual reasons: cheaper renewals, a cleaner dashboard, free privacy, or better support. If you're weighing where to move to, see our roundup of the best domain registrars. Whichever you choose, remember you can always transfer again later, you're never stuck.
Frequently asked questions
How do I transfer a domain to another registrar?
Unlock the domain at your current registrar, request the EPP (authorization) code, then start the transfer at the new registrar by entering the domain and pasting the code. Approve the confirmation email, and it completes in a few days. The transfer usually adds a year to your registration.
How long does a domain transfer take?
Usually up to about five days, much of it a mandatory waiting period. Clicking the approval email your current registrar sends can speed it up. Ignoring that email can stall or cancel the transfer, so watch your inbox.
Why can't I transfer my domain?
The most common reason is the ICANN 60-day lock that applies after registering a domain or after a previous transfer. Others: the domain is locked, privacy is hiding the admin email, it's near expiry, or you don't have the correct EPP/auth code.
Will transferring a domain take my website offline?
Not if you do it correctly. A transfer moves the registration, not your DNS, which carries over. Don't change nameservers or DNS during the transfer, and your site and email keep running. Make any DNS changes only after it completes.
Does transferring a domain cost money?
Usually, but it typically adds a year of registration for about the price of a renewal, so you're pre-paying a year rather than paying extra. Some registrars run free-transfer promos too.
Ready to register a domain?
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