Domain transfer

A domain transfer moves a domain name's sponsorship from one registrar to another.

Format
Domains & DNS
Updated
Updated
Glossary Domains & DNS
Domain transfer Aliases: registrar transfer, transfer domain.

Definition

A domain transfer moves a domain name's sponsorship from one registrar to another.

How it works

A transfer changes which registrar manages your domain — not who owns it, and not where its website or email lives. Expect a short checklist: unlock the domain, get the authorization code, and confirm the request. Generic extensions also enforce a 60-day lock after registration or a previous transfer. Your DNS keeps answering throughout, so a routine transfer causes no downtime.

Example: You might transfer example.com to consolidate renewals at one registrar while leaving its nameservers untouched.

Often confused: Transferring a domain between registrars is separate from moving its website or pointing DNS at a new host.

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Sources

Last reviewed 2026-07-19.