Transferring a Domain Name

Once you’ve acquired a domain, you’ll usually want to transfer it to your own registrar. The process is straightforward in theory, but there are a few gotchas that catch people off guard.

How transfers work

To transfer a domain from one registrar to another, you need an authorization code (sometimes called an EPP code or auth code). The current owner generates this from their registrar’s dashboard and shares it with you. You then enter the code at your registrar to initiate the transfer.

The process can take up to a week, but you can often speed it up. Once the transfer is initiated, the outgoing registrar typically sends a confirmation email to the current owner with a link to approve the transfer. If the seller clicks that link, the transfer usually completes much faster.