Domain name transfer proceedures [TLD specific requirements ] Print

Requirements for transferring a domain name

Per ICANN regulations, the gaining registrar is required to obtain express authorisation from the Transfer Contact(s) (listed Registrant or the Administrative Contact). Hence, a transfer may only proceed if confirmation of the transfer is received by the Gaining Registrar by the Transfer Contact.

Authorisation must be obtained one of the following ways:

Auto-verification (email authorisation) - Recommended
When an auto verification transfer order is submitted, a verification email will be sent to the registrant and administrative contact(s) for the domain(s). (Per ICANN Regulations, transfer verification will NOT be sent to technical, billing or other listed contacts for the domain.)

NOTE: If this verification is not received, the transfer will not proceed. Without this verification, transfer requests are not sent to the registry and the domain will not be put into “Pending Transfer” status for release by the losing registrar. **

Fax (physical/paper authorisation)
In the event that the gaining registrar relies on a physical process to obtain transfer authorisation, a paper copy of the FOA (FOA: Standardized Form of Authorisation) is generated by the gaining registrar and must signed by the Transfer Contact. The form is faxed, or scanned and emailed to the gaining registrar and MUST be accompanied by reliable evidence of the identity for the Transfer Contact.

The acceptable forms of physical identity are:

Domain requirements

In order to transfer a domain between registrars, a domain must meet the following requirements:

• The domain must be at least 60-days old. Domains that are not yet 60-days old are not transferable between registrars. This is a registry restriction, not a regulation instituted by us or anyregistrars.
• A domain must be in “ACTIVE” or “OK” status. If a domain is in “REGISTRAR-LOCK”, “REGISTRAR-HOLD”, “REGISTRY-LOCK”, “REGISTRY-HOLD”, “REDEMPTION PERIOD” or “PENDING DELETE” status, the global registries will not allow registrar transfer.
• If the domain was transferred to us, the transfer must have completed more than 60-days prior.

TLD specific requirements and other pertinent information

• EPP domains: (.com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, .us, .cn, .com.cn, .net.cn, .org.cn, .cn, .tw, and .in)
• These domains require an EPP/authorization key for transfer.
• Authorisation (or EPP) keys/codes are generated by the current registrar and verified through the global registries for validity.
• Since the implementation of ICANN's Transfer Policy in November 2004, EPP transfers now require additional verification. In addition to the EPP/authorisation key, a verification email will also be mandatory for the transfer to proceed.
• Due to a registry restriction (Public Interest Registry; http://www.pir.org), .org domains have a 60-day transfer restriction. If a .org domain has been transferred between registrars, the Public Interest Registry does not allow transfer of the domain for 60-days from the date the transfer was complete.

The 45-day transfer rule

• Due to a registry restriction (not us/our partners or any other registrar, but the global registry), if a domain is renewed and then transferred to another registrar within the first 45 days of renewal, the domain will not have an additional year added to the expiration date. 

Transfer fees/charges

• Please visit our website for more details on the fees and chanrges associated with domain transfer.

• Notarised statement
• Valid Drivers licence
• Passport
• Article of Incorporation
• Military ID
• State/Government issued ID
• Birth Certificate

NOTE: The fax transfer option is not available for .uk and .ca transfers.