How Long Does a Domain Transfer Take? Locks, Auth Codes and Timelines

Applies to: generic domains (.com, .net, .org and other ICANN domains); country domains have their own rules

A domain transfer to a new registrar usually completes within 5 to 7 days, and often sooner. Under ICANN’s Transfer Policy, the registry completes the transfer after five calendar days unless the current registrar rejects it; many registrars approve earlier, or let you approve it in their panel to speed it up.

Before you can transfer

• The 60-day lock: under the current ICANN policy, registrars may refuse a transfer within 60 days after the domain was registered or last transferred. ICANN has approved changes that shorten these locks to 30 days once they take effect; ask your registrar which rule it applies.
• Unlock the domain at your current registrar (turn off the registrar lock or “transfer lock”).
• Get the authorisation code (auth code or EPP code; ICANN’s updated policy calls it the Transfer Authorization Code, TAC) from your current registrar.
• Check the contact email on the domain works, and that the domain isn’t about to expire or already expired.

The steps

1. Order the transfer at the new registrar and enter the auth code. At Ucartz, use transfer a domain in the client area.
2. Approve any confirmation email.
3. Wait for the transfer to complete (up to about five days), or approve it early at the old registrar.

A transfer of a generic domain usually adds one year to its expiry date, because you pay a renewal as part of it.

Will my website or email stop?

No, if the nameservers stay the same: the transfer changes who manages the registration, not where the domain points. Keep DNS unchanged during the transfer, and change nameservers afterwards if you need to.

Country domains

Domains such as .uk, .in or .de follow their registry’s own procedure and timeline; some don’t use auth codes at all.

Moving a website to a different domain name is a different job: see forwarding visitors to a new domain.

Official documentation: ICANN Transfer Policy.