How to Transfer a Domain: Costs, Wait Time, Email Tips

Anyone who has ever tried to move a domain from one registrar to another knows it involves more than just typing a new address—between unlocking, obtaining an auth code, and ICANN’s timing rules, the process has more checkpoints than most expect. This guide walks through each step, what you’ll actually pay, and how to keep your email working through it all.

Average transfer time: 5–7 days (range 1–15 days) ·
Transfer cost: $0–$15 (includes 1-year renewal) ·
Typical steps: 5–7 (unlock, auth code, initiate, approve, wait) ·
Mandatory wait after registration: 60 days (per ICANN rule)

The key numbers behind a domain transfer — five facts that frame the entire process.

How do I transfer a domain to another?

1. Unlock the domain at your current registrar
2. Obtain the authorization code (EPP code) from your current registrar
3. Initiate the transfer with your new registrar using the EPP code
4. Approve the transfer request via the email sent by your current registrar

How to unlock your domain at your current registrar

Before any transfer can begin, the domain must be released from the outgoing registrar’s lock. Most registrars label this setting as “domain lock” or “transfer lock,” and it appears in the domain management dashboard. Zoho (business software provider) notes this lock is often shown as clientTransferProhibited in WHOIS and must be turned off at the losing registrar before the transfer can proceed. The unlock is usually a simple toggle — but it’s the step people miss most often.

How to get an authorization code (EPP code)

Once unlocked, the next requirement is an authorization code — often called an EPP code or auth code. This acts as a cryptographic handshake between registrars. Zoho (business software provider) explains that the EPP code is required by the gaining registrar to prove the transfer was approved by the registrant. The code is typically emailed to the registrant’s contact address or displayed in the registrar’s control panel. Each code is single-use and expires after a short window — usually a few days.

How to initiate the transfer with the new registrar

With the domain unlocked and the auth code in hand, the next step is to start the transfer at the destination registrar. Cloudflare (CDN and DNS provider) recommends first creating an account with the new registrar, then entering the domain name and pasting the auth code. The new registrar submits the transfer request to the current registrar via the registry’s automated system. HubSpot (marketing and web platform) lists this as the critical handoff point where fees are paid and the clock starts ticking.

How to approve the transfer request via email

After the new registrar initiates, the current registrar sends an approval email to the registrant’s administrative contact address. Zoho (business software provider) warns that an outdated or inaccessible email address can stall the transfer entirely. The email contains a link to approve or deny the transfer. If the registrant ignores the email, Zoho states the transfer can still proceed automatically after five days under ICANN policy.

The implication: a missing action at any point halts the process, so a pre-transfer checklist is essential.

How much does it cost to transfer a domain?

Are there any hidden fees during domain transfer?

Most registrars display a single upfront price, but what’s included varies. ICANN FAQs for Registrants state that registrars may charge a transfer fee, but a transfer cannot be denied for non-payment of that fee. The practical surprise is less about hidden charges and more about whether the price includes the mandatory one-year renewal — which most do, but not all advertise clearly.

Does the transfer cost include a one-year renewal?

Yes, in the vast majority of cases. Forbes Advisor (business and finance publication) explains that many registrars require at least a one-year extension on transfer and notes an ICANN fee of 20 cents per transfer or renewal. Hostinger (web hosting provider) says transfer fees for .com domains are typically between about $8 and $20 and include a mandatory one-year renewal. This means the “transfer fee” is essentially the price of renewing the domain for another year at the new registrar’s rate.

How do pricing vary between registrars?

Prices differ primarily because each registrar sets its own renewal rate, and the transfer fee is bundled with that first-year renewal. Some registrars offer promotional transfer pricing — as low as $0 for the first year — to attract customers, then charge standard renewal rates in subsequent years. Others charge a flat fee of $10–$15 that matches their standard renewal price. The key comparison is not the transfer price alone but the renewal price you’ll pay next year.

The pattern: the initial low price is a lure; the recurring renewal is where the cost adds up.

Do I have to wait 60 days to transfer a domain?

Why does the 60-day lock exist?

The 60-day lock is an ICANN (the global domain-name regulator) policy designed to prevent domain hijacking. After a domain is first registered or transferred to a new registrar, it cannot be transferred again for 60 days. This cooling-off period gives the rightful owner time to notice and contest any unauthorized transfer. ICANN also states that a 60-day lock may apply after a change of registrant contact information, though registrars may offer an opt-out in some cases.

Can I bypass the 60-day waiting period?

There is no universal bypass. The lock is enforced at the registry level for most gTLDs (.com, .org, .net), meaning no registrar can override it. Some registrars offer internal transfers — moving the domain between accounts at the same registrar — which do not reset the 60-day clock. But a true inter-registrar transfer during the lock period is generally impossible. The only reliable workaround is to wait.

What happens if I change registrant information?

Changing the registrant’s name, organization, or email address can trigger a fresh 60-day lock. ICANN explains that a change of registrant may initiate a 60-day transfer lock, though registrars may provide an opt-out mechanism if the change is verified. This catches many domain owners who update their WHOIS contact details before starting a transfer, inadvertently delaying it by two months.

What this means: any WHOIS update before a transfer risks a two-month delay, so timing is critical.

Will I lose my email if I transfer my domain?

How to keep email accounts active during transfer

This is the most common anxiety about domain transfer, and the answer depends entirely on where your email is hosted. Bluehost (web hosting provider) clarifies that email does not automatically change when a domain is transferred — but DNS-based email must be recreated at the new registrar if it was hosted there. The safest move: migrate your email to a third-party provider (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or a dedicated email host) before starting the domain transfer.

What happens to email hosted by the old registrar?

If your current registrar also provides email hosting — common with all-in-one hosting packages — that email service is tied to their infrastructure. When the domain moves to a new registrar, the old registrar typically stops hosting DNS records for your domain, which can break email routing. Bluehost notes that email hosted independently of the registrar continues working throughout the transfer process. The distinction is critical: registrar-bundled email is at risk; third-party email is safe.

Can I transfer my domain without interrupting email service?

Yes, with advance planning. The sequence is: set up email with an independent provider first, update your MX records to point to that provider, confirm email is flowing, then proceed with the domain transfer. This ensures your inbox never sees a gap. After the transfer completes, verify that the new registrar’s DNS zone includes the MX records for your third-party email host.

The catch: if the registrant contact email is tied to the domain, the approval link may become unreachable, so plan accordingly.

How do I prove ownership of a domain name?

What documents serve as proof of domain ownership?

Domain ownership is verified primarily through WHOIS data and the ability to control the domain’s DNS and authorization code. The authorization code (EPP code) is the strongest single proof of control — it’s a unique token generated by the current registrar that only the registrant can request. Zoho (business software provider) confirms the EPP code is required by the gaining registrar to prove the transfer was approved by the registrant. No code, no transfer.

Who legally owns a domain name?

Legally, domain names are not owned in the traditional property sense — they are registered under a person or entity for a specific term. The registrant listed in WHOIS is the recognized rights holder. Cloudflare (CDN and DNS provider) notes that the transfer process effectively reassigns the registration to a new legal entity. Disputes over ownership are handled through ICANN’s Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP), not through registrar support.

How to verify domain ownership in WHOIS

WHOIS lookup tools — available from most registrars and independent sites — display the current registrant name, organization, email, and expiration date. During a transfer, the gaining registrar cross-references the provided auth code against the registry’s records. If the auth code matches, ownership is considered verified. For high-value domains, registrars may also require identity documents or notarized letters before releasing the domain.

The implication: keeping your WHOIS data accurate and the EPP code secure is the foundation of a smooth transfer.

How do I transfer my website to a new domain?

How to redirect old domain to new domain?

Transferring a domain registration and migrating a website are two separate processes. Once the domain points to your hosting, set up a 301 redirect from the old domain to the new one. This tells search engines that the content has permanently moved and preserves your search rankings. Most hosting control panels offer a redirect manager, or you can add the redirect via an .htaccess file on Apache servers.

How to update DNS settings for the new domain?

After the transfer completes, the new registrar becomes the DNS provider unless you use a third-party DNS service. HubSpot (marketing and web platform) notes that verifying DNS settings after completion is a key step. You’ll need to recreate any DNS records — A records, CNAME records, MX records — that existed with the previous registrar. Export the DNS zone file from the old registrar before starting the transfer so you have a complete record.

How to minimize downtime during website migration?

Downtime occurs when DNS propagation lags behind the transfer. To minimize it, lower your domain’s TTL (time to live) to 300 seconds a few days before the transfer. This forces DNS resolvers to check for updates more frequently. Cloudflare (CDN and DNS provider) also recommends backing up all website files and the database before any migration. With a low TTL and pre-configured DNS records at the new registrar, the actual outage window can be reduced to minutes rather than hours.

What this means: a well-prepared migration can keep downtime below 15 minutes.

For anyone managing a domain portfolio — from a single personal site to dozens of client domains — the transfer process rewards preparation over speed. The 60-day lock is the biggest hidden constraint, and bundled email is the most common tripwire. Plan around both, and the actual transfer becomes a predictable five-to-seven-day process rather than a crisis. For the domain owner who reads the approval email and verifies DNS afterward, the move is straightforward. For those who skip those steps, the cost is downtime, lost email, or a two-month delay.