How to Transfer a Domain: Step-by-Step Guide

Domain transfers move a domain from one registrar to another. The process follows a standard ICANN-regulated procedure that typically takes 5 to 7 days. Whether you are switching to a cheaper registrar, consolidating your portfolio, or completing a sale, the steps are the same.

Before You Start: Transfer Requirements

Four conditions must be met before initiating a transfer:

60-day lock period expired: ICANN requires that domains cannot be transferred within 60 days of initial registration or a previous transfer. If your domain was registered or transferred less than 60 days ago, you must wait.
Domain is unlocked: Most registrars lock domains by default to prevent unauthorized transfers. You must explicitly unlock the domain in your registrar dashboard.
WHOIS privacy temporarily disabled: Some registrars require disabling WHOIS privacy so the receiving registrar can verify your identity against the WHOIS record. Others handle this automatically.
Administrative contact email accessible: Both the sending and receiving registrars will send confirmation emails to the admin email listed on the domain. Make sure this email is current and accessible.

Step-by-Step Transfer Process

Step 1: Prepare at Your Current Registrar

Log into your current registrar and navigate to the domain management page. Complete these actions:

Update contact information: Ensure the administrative email address is current. This is where transfer confirmation emails will arrive.
Disable WHOIS privacy: If your registrar requires it for transfers. Re-enable it at the new registrar after the transfer completes.
Unlock the domain: Look for “Domain Lock,” “Transfer Lock,” or “Registrar Lock” in your domain settings. Toggle it off.
Obtain the EPP code: Also called an authorization code or transfer key. This is a one-time password required by the receiving registrar to authorize the transfer. Most registrars display it in the domain settings panel or email it to the admin contact.

Step 2: Initiate the Transfer at the New Registrar

Create an account at the new registrar if you do not already have one. Navigate to the domain transfer section (usually labeled “Transfer In” or “Transfer to Us”). Enter the domain name and paste the EPP code when prompted.

You will be charged a transfer fee equal to one year of registration (typically $10 to $15 for .com), which also extends your domain registration by one year from the current expiration date.

Step 3: Confirm Via Email

After you initiate the transfer, two things happen:

The receiving registrar sends a confirmation email asking you to approve the transfer. Click the approval link.
The sending registrar sends a notification that a transfer has been requested. Some registrars ask you to approve it explicitly; others give you a window (usually 5 days) to deny it, and the transfer proceeds automatically if you take no action.

Check your spam folder if you do not see these emails within 24 hours. Delayed confirmation is the most common cause of stalled transfers.

Step 4: Wait for Completion

Once both sides are approved, the transfer processes within 5 to 7 days. Some registrars (particularly GoDaddy) may take the full 7 days. Others (like Cloudflare or Namecheap) complete transfers in 3 to 5 days.

You will receive a confirmation email from the new registrar when the transfer is complete.

Step 5: Post-Transfer Configuration

After the transfer completes:

Re-enable domain lock at the new registrar to prevent unauthorized transfers
Re-enable WHOIS privacy if it was disabled during the transfer
Verify DNS settings: If you use the registrar’s nameservers, DNS records may need to be reconfigured at the new registrar. If you use third-party nameservers (like Cloudflare DNS), no DNS changes are needed.
Verify email delivery: If you use domain-based email, confirm that MX records are correctly configured at the new registrar
Enable two-factor authentication on your new registrar account

Our domain registrar security guide covers the full security checklist for your new registrar account.

Common Transfer Problems and Solutions

Transfer Rejected

The most common causes: domain is still locked, EPP code has expired (they typically expire after 7 to 14 days), domain is within the 60-day lock period, or WHOIS contact information does not match. Solution: address the specific issue and request a new EPP code if needed.

Transfer Stuck in Pending

If the transfer has been pending for more than 7 days, contact both registrars. The sending registrar may be holding the transfer due to an unresolved issue, or the confirmation email may have been missed.

DNS Downtime During Transfer

This should not happen if you plan correctly. If your nameservers are at the sending registrar, configure identical DNS records at the new registrar before initiating the transfer. Alternatively, point your nameservers at a third-party DNS provider (like Cloudflare) before the transfer so that the registrar change does not affect DNS resolution at all.

Privacy Protection Conflict

Some registrars require WHOIS privacy to be disabled before they will release an EPP code. Others block transfers if privacy is enabled. If you encounter this, disable privacy, request the EPP code, initiate the transfer, and re-enable privacy at the new registrar after completion.

Transfer Costs by Registrar

Registrar (Receiving)	.com Transfer Cost	Includes Renewal Year
Cloudflare	$10.46	Yes
Namecheap	$9.48	Yes
Porkbun	$10.28	Yes
Dynadot	$10.99	Yes
GoDaddy	$11.99	Yes

Transfer fees include a one-year registration extension, making transfers a cost-effective way to switch registrars while maintaining your renewal cycle. If you are transferring away from GoDaddy (which charges $22.99 for .com renewals), the transfer cost at any of the above registrars is lower than a single GoDaddy renewal.

Bulk Transfers

If you are moving 10+ domains, check whether the receiving registrar offers bulk transfer tools. Namecheap, Dynadot, and NameSilo all support bulk transfer initiation. Prepare a spreadsheet with domain names and EPP codes, and use the bulk interface to submit them all at once rather than one at a time.

For large portfolio migrations, our domain portfolio management tools review evaluates the bulk capabilities of each major registrar.

Key Takeaways

The standard transfer process takes 5 to 7 days and costs one year of registration
Unlock the domain, obtain the EPP code, and verify your admin email before starting
Configure DNS at the new registrar before initiating the transfer to prevent downtime
Transfer fees at modern registrars are lower than a single renewal at GoDaddy
Re-enable security features (lock, privacy, 2FA) immediately after transfer completion

Next Steps

Compare registrars before transferring with our best domain registrars 2026 review
Secure your new registrar account with our domain registrar security guide
Learn about DNS configuration in our domain nameserver configuration guide
Review the full godaddy vs namecheap vs cloudflare comparison if choosing between registrars
Complete a portfolio review with our domain portfolio audit checklist

Transfer procedures follow ICANN regulations but may vary slightly between registrars. If you encounter issues, contact the support teams at both the sending and receiving registrars. For transfers involving a sale, always use an escrow service.

Sources: ICANN Transfer FAQs, Cloudflare Domain Transfer Guide, Network Solutions Transfer Guide