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Domain Transfers

  1. What is a domain transfer?
  2. What are the steps involved in the domain transfer process?
  3. What is an auth code?
  4. Where can I find the auth code for my domain?
  5. Why hasn't my domain been transferred yet?
  6. My transfer was successful, but why wasn't my domain renewed?
  7. If my domain expires during a domain transfer, will the transfer still be completed?
  8. If I transfer my domain to you, will my website and email be affected?
  9. Why can't I transfer my domain?
  10. How do I transfer my UK domain to Dynadot?
  11. How do I transfer my EU domain to Dynadot?
  12. How do I transfer my BE domain to Dynadot?
  13. Can I transfer my domain from Dynadot to a different domain registrar?
  14. How do I transfer my domains away from Dynadot?
  15. How do I transfer my UK domain away from Dynadot to another registrar?

1. What is a domain transfer?

A domain transfer is a process in which a domain is moved from one domain registrar to another registrar. There are many reasons why owners of a domain may choose to transfer their domain to another registrar: price, quality of customer service, and ease of use (just to name a few).

A domain transfer can also involve a change of ownership of the domain, however, this is not always the case.

For more information on domain transfers, please take a look at the Domain Transfers section of the FAQ.

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2. What are the steps involved in the domain transfer process?

The steps in the domain transfer process are:

  1. Submit a domain transfer order for the domain you wish to transfer.
  2. Once we have received payment, we will do a Whois lookup for your domain. Then we will send you an email to authorize the domain transfer to the email address listed in the Whois. This is to prevent a domain from being transferred without the domain owner's permission.
  3. Your previous registrar may contact you to confirm the domain transfer. If you want the domain transfer to continue, tell them yes, you authorized the transfer.
  4. Your previous registrar approves the transfer. The central registry changes the registrar for your domain to Dynadot. We add the domain to your account and notify you through email.

Transfers can take anywhere from 5 - 15 days, depending on how fast each step can be completed.

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3. What is an auth code?

An auth code (short for authorization code) is a string of random letters and numbers used to prevent domain hijackers from transferring a domain without the owner's permission. Authorization codes must be retrieved from the current domain registrar. Auth codes are also sometimes referred to as EPP codes or authinfo codes.

Domains ending with .com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, .us, and .cn require authorization codes for domain transfers.

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4. Where can I find the auth code for my domain?

To find the Authorization (EPP) Code for your domain, follow these steps:

  1. Log into your Dynadot account.
  2. Click on the "Domains" tab.
  3. Unlock your domain.
  4. Click on the domain name you wish to transfer. A new page should load.
  5. Look for the "Transfer Lock" box close to the bottom of the page. The authorization code is listed after the words "transfer code."

Note: You may need to verify your identity before the authorization code becomes visible.

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5. Why hasn't my domain been transferred yet?

Domain transfers can take up to six days to complete once the transfer has been authorized and initiated. Some domain registrars do not respond to transfer out requests so that by the sixth day, the central registry will automatically change the domain registrar to the new one if there is no response from the previous registrar.

At this point in the domain transfer, we are most likely waiting for your previous domain registrar to approve the transfer. Please direct your queries to them.

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6. My transfer was successful, but why wasn't my domain renewed?

There are two reasons why a domain name may not be renewed after a transfer:

The first reason is that renewing the domain name for one additional year would increase the total registration period past the maximum amount of time (usually 10 years).

The second situation is when a domain is renewed after it already expired. Technically, this is called an "auto-renewal". If a domain is auto-renewed, and then transferred within 45 days after the renewal, then the domain will not be renewed for an additional year after the transfer.

This does not make sense because it seems like your domain should get two years: one for the renewal, and one more for the transfer. But this is the way the central registry works. This is not our policy, and we gain nothing from only giving you one year. In fact, we have to deal with all the customers upset with this counter-intuitive policy of the central registry.

Here is what ICANN has to say about this situation:

"Registrants who transfer names within the 45-day Auto-Renew Grace Period should check with the registrar from which they are transferring regarding a possible refund. Even though losing registrars receive refunds of auto-renewal fees they have paid to the registry in these circumstances, not all registrars make refunds to customers. The effect of failure of the losing registrar to refund is that the registrant pays registration fees to both the losing registrar (for the auto-renew) and to the gaining registrar (for the transfer), but only receives a one-year extension of term."

(Full text can be found here: http://www.icann.org/announcements/advisory-06jun02.htm)

Basically, ICANN recommends contacting the old registrar for a refund if a registrant transfers a domain within the 45-day Auto-Renew Grace Period.

To avoid this unpleasant situation completely, please start your domain transfers at least 2 weeks before the expiration date.

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7. If my domain expires during a domain transfer, will the transfer still be completed?

If your domain transfer was initiated before the the expiration date, the transfer can still be completed. Most domain registrars will let the domain transfer continue if the domain has expired before the transfer has been completed, however, there are a few registrars that will manually deny the transfer after the domain has expired. If this worries you, you should contact your previous domain registrar, and ask them if they will still let the domain transfer continue since the transfer was initiated before the domain expired.

Please note that a domain transfer does not start right after you submit a domain transfer order to us. A domain transfer starts after the transfer has been authorized. You will receive a "Transfer Initiated" email from us when that happens.

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8. If I transfer my domain to you, will my website and email be affected?

If you use a third party to host your website and email, they should not be affected by the domain name transfer. We do not change the name servers for your domain during the transfer process.

If you host your website and email with your registrar, they may be affected. Some registrars will only host your website or email if you register a domain with them. In this case, you should not transfer your domain until you move your website and email hosting to a third party company.

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9. Why can't I transfer my domain?

Several reasons why you may not be able to transfer your domain are:

  1. The domain is in "Registrar-Lock" status. Please unlock your domain before attempting to continue the domain transfer.
  2. The email address listed in the Whois directory is not valid. Please update the email address in the Whois by contacting your current domain registrar.
  3. The transfer has not been authorized yet. Please check your email for the authorization email.
  4. You have not provided the authorization code for the domain. Please retrieve the auth code from the current domain registrar.
  5. The domain expired before the transfer was initiated. Domain transfers do not officially "start" until the transfer has been authorized. Therefore, if your domain expires before the domain transfer has been initiated, there is a possibility that your domain transfer will be denied even if you submit a domain transfer order before the expiration date.
  6. The domain was newly registered. Newly registered domains cannot be transferred to a new domain registrar until after its first 60 days.

Please give yourself ample time (2-3 weeks) when you submit your domain transfer order so that your domain does not expire while we are attempting to authorize the transfer.

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10. How do I transfer my UK domain to Dynadot?

Step 1 - Please ask your current registrar (tag holder) to change the tag (also known as the IPS Tag) for your domain to "DYNADOT". You do not need to place an order on the transfer page.

Step 2 - Send us an email telling us your username, and the domain you just re-tagged.

Step 3 - We will add the domain to your account, once Nominet notifies us the domain has been re-tagged.

Dynadot does not charge a fee for this service. Please be aware that your domain will not be renewed for 1 year, unlike domain transfers for COM/NET and most other domain types.

If your current registrar will not or can not change your tag for you, then you can ask Nominet to do it for you for a fee.

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11. How do I transfer my EU domain to Dynadot?

Step 1 - Place an order for an EU transfer on the regular transfer page. An auth code is not needed.

Step 2 - EURid, the EU central registry, will send a confirmation email to the registrant email address as listed in whois. Please click on the link in the email to approve the transfer.

EU transfers are a little different from most domains:

  • You do not need an auth code from your previous registrar. EU domains do not have auth codes.
  • You do not need unlock your domain at your previous registrar. EU domains do not have locks.
  • The authorization email is sent by the central registry, not Dynadot. So look for an email from EURid sent to your registrant email address. Make sure to click the link in the email and approve the transfer.
  • When your transfer completes, your domain expiration is extended 1 year from the transfer completion date, not from the current expiration date. So if you have 6 months left on your domain, after the transfer you will have 1 year left, not 1 year and 6 months.
  • When your transfer completes, all your name servers are cleared. So you need to log into your account and set them again.

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12. How do I transfer my BE domain to Dynadot?

Step 1 - Place an order for an BE transfer on the regular transfer page. An auth code is not needed.

Step 2 - DNSbe, the BE central registry, will send a confirmation email to the registrant email address as listed in whois. Please click on the link in the email to approve the transfer.

BE transfers are a little different from most domains:

  • You do not need an auth code from your previous registrar. BE domains do not have auth codes.
  • You do not need unlock your domain at your previous registrar. BE domains do not have locks.
  • The authorization email is sent by the central registry, not Dynadot. So look for an email from DNSbe sent to your registrant email address. Make sure to click the link in the email and approve the transfer.
  • When your transfer completes, your domain expiration is extended 1 year from the transfer completion date, not from the current expiration date. So if you have 6 months left on your domain, after the transfer you will have 1 year left, not 1 year and 6 months.
  • When your transfer completes, all your name servers are cleared. So you need to log into your account and set them again.

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13. Can I transfer my domain from Dynadot to a different domain registrar?

Yes, you can transfer your domains to another domain registrar. There is no fee or penalty to do this, however, there are some restrictions:

  • Domains that have expired cannot be transferred. You must renew them through us first.
  • Domains less than 60 days old cannot be transferred. This is a rule enforced by the central registries.

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14. How do I transfer my domains away from Dynadot?

Sign into your Dynadot Account.

  1. Check if the domain is unlocked. If not, unlock it.
  2. Check if the Whois info for the domain is current. Your new registrar will be sending an email to your admin email address to confirm the transfer.
  3. Save the Auth Code for the domain. You will need to tell your new registrar the new auth code.

You are now ready to initiate the domain transfer at your future registrar's website.

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15. How do I transfer my UK domain away from Dynadot to another registrar?

To transfer your .UK domain away from Dynadot, please follow these steps:

  1. Log into your Dynadot account.
  2. Click on the "Domains" tab at the top of the page.
  3. Click on the link for your actual domain name.
  4. Scroll down to the "Transfer Lock" box. Verify your identity by entering in your birthday and/or SMS code. If you have activated your SMS settings, you will need to send yourself a SMS code and enter it in before the code expires.
  5. Scroll back down to the "Transfer Lock" box, select "No", and then click the "Submit" button.
  6. Scroll back down to the "Transfer Lock" box. You should now be able to input the TAG for your new Registrar.

There is no fee for this service.

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