The 60-Day Domain Transfer Nightmare
One wrong move triggers ICANN's transfer lock. Here's what happens:
Domain is locked. Transfer cannot proceed.
WHOIS privacy must be disabled before transfer.
Domain updated 30 days ago. ICANN 60-day lock active. Wait 30 more days.
Transfer initiated successfully. 5-7 days to complete.
⚠️ 33 days stuck with a registrar you're trying to leave—all because of avoidable mistakes. This guide shows you how to transfer in 5-7 days instead.
Understanding Domain Transfers
Standard Transfer Process (When Everything Goes Right)
Request Transfer
Initiate transfer at new registrar with EPP code
Authorization Request
New registrar sends request to registry
Approve via Email (FOA)
You receive confirmation email and approve transfer
Losing Registrar Processing
Current registrar has 5 days to approve/deny
Transfer Complete
Domain appears at new registrar, +1 year added
Success Timeline
5-7 days total when you follow proper procedure
Failure Timeline
60+ days when you trigger ICANN locks or make mistakes
Mistake #1: Forgetting to Unlock Your Domain
Why Domains Are Locked by Default
Domain hijacking is big business. Attackers steal valuable domains and sell them or hold them for ransom. Registrar locks prevent unauthorized transfers even if someone obtains your EPP code.
How to Unlock Your Domain
Use your existing account credentials
Usually in main navigation or dashboard
Click on the domain you want to transfer
Might be under Security or Transfer settings
Toggle off or click "Unlock for Transfer"
⏱️ Important: Some registrars require 24-48 hours after unlocking before transfer can begin. Plan accordingly.
Red Flags That Your Domain Is Still Locked
→ Domain lock is still enabled
→ WHOIS shows domain as locked
→ Registry has domain marked as transfer-locked
Mistake #2: Missing or Incorrect EPP Code
What Is an EPP Code?
Think of it as your domain's password for transfers. It's a unique string (8-32 characters) that proves you own the domain and authorize the transfer.
Abc123XyZ!@#$% Common EPP Code Mistakes
Copy-paste errors
Example: Extra space at end: "Abc123XyZ!@#$% "
Fix: Paste in text editor first, verify no extra spaces
Expired codes
Example: Code generated 60+ days ago
Fix: Request fresh EPP code if transfer delayed
Using old codes
Example: Generated new code but used old one
Fix: Always use most recently generated code
Case sensitivity
Example: "ABC123" vs "abc123" (different!)
Fix: Match case exactly as provided
💡 Pro Tip: Copy EPP code to a secure note app. Verify character count. Test paste in a text editor before using in transfer form.
Mistake #3: Triggering the 60-Day ICANN Lock
The Mandatory 60-Day ICANN Lock
You CANNOT override this. No exceptions. No workarounds. No "but I really need to transfer now."
Just Registered Domain
Within 60 days of domain registration
Registered Jan 1st, try to transfer Jan 15th
🔒 Locked until March 1st (60 days)
Updated Contact Info
Within 60 days of ownership/contact change
Changed email Jan 1st, try to transfer Jan 20th
🔒 Locked until March 1st (60 days)
How to Avoid the 60-Day Lock
Start domain transfers 65+ days after registration
Freeze contact updates - don't change registrant email, name, or organization before transfer
Check WHOIS date to verify when domain was registered or last updated
Ask registrar - some show "Transfer Lock Until: [DATE]" in dashboard
Good News: Privacy Protection Updates
Enabling/disabling WHOIS privacy does NOT trigger the 60-day lock. That's a privacy service change, not a contact change. However, you must still disable privacy before transfer (see common mistakes).
When you realize you triggered the 60-day lock...via GIPHY
Mistake #4: Expired or Soon-to-Expire Domains
Domain Lifecycle & Transfer Restrictions
Active
More than 15 days before expiry
Normal status, all operations allowed
Pre-Expiry Warning
7-15 days before expiry
Some registrars block transfers (not all)
Grace Period
0-30 days after expiry
Can renew normally, but transfers blocked
Redemption Period
30-60 days after expiry
$100-200 recovery fee, transfers still blocked
Pending Deletion
60-75 days after expiry
Domain will be released to public pool
Why Transfers Add a Year
Every successful domain transfer automatically adds 1 year to your registration. This is ICANN policy. Example: Domain expires March 2026. You transfer Jan 2025. New expiration: March 2027.
Mistake #5: Leaving Domain Privacy Protection Enabled
With WHOIS Privacy (Enabled)
❌ Transfer emails go to proxy address, which may not forward properly or may delay 24-48 hours
Normal WHOIS (Privacy Disabled)
✅ Transfer confirmation emails (FOA) arrive directly to your inbox
How to Disable Privacy for Transfer
Log into current registrar
Domain management → Your domain
Find "WHOIS Privacy" or "Domain Privacy"
Disable/turn off (might be "Make WHOIS Public")
Wait 24 hours for WHOIS database to update globally
Verify WHOIS shows your real email at lookup.icann.org
The Privacy Paradox
You must make your email public to transfer, but this exposes you to spam for 5-7 days. Use a temporary email filter or expect increased spam during transfer period. After transfer completes at new registrar, immediately re-enable WHOIS privacy.
Mistake #6: Ignoring DNS During Transfer
What Happens to DNS During Transfer?
Using registrar nameservers
high riskns1.oldregistrar.comUsing third-party DNS (Cloudflare)
low riskns1.cloudflare.comMethod 1: Third-Party DNS (Recommended)
Zero downtimeSwitch to Cloudflare BEFORE transfer
- 1.Sign up for Cloudflare (free)
- 2.Copy DNS records from current registrar to Cloudflare
- 3.Change nameservers to Cloudflare
- 4.Wait 24-48h for propagation
- 5.Verify site works with new nameservers
- 6.Then start domain transfer
Method 2: Document & Recreate
Brief downtime possibleManually transfer DNS records
- 1.Export DNS zone file from current registrar
- 2.Start transfer
- 3.Immediately recreate DNS at new registrar
- 4.Update nameservers to new registrar
- 5.Wait 24-48h for propagation
DNS Propagation Timeline
💡 Pro tip: Lower your TTL to 300 seconds (5 minutes) 48 hours BEFORE transfer to speed up propagation.
Mistake #7: Not Testing Before Switching DNS
The Hosts File Testing Method
Test that your site works on the new server BEFORE switching DNS globally. Hosts file overrides DNS on YOUR computer only.
New hosting provides this (e.g., 192.168.1.100)
Windows: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts | Mac/Linux: /etc/hosts
192.168.1.100 yourdomain.com
Windows: ipconfig /flushdns | Mac: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
Your computer loads from new server, everyone else sees old server
Change nameservers at registrar
Delete the line you added in step 3
What to Test Before Going Live
Website Functionality
- Homepage loads correctly
- Internal pages work (not 404)
- Contact forms submit successfully
- E-commerce checkout processes
- Login/authentication works
Assets & Resources
- SSL certificate valid (green padlock)
- Images and assets load
- CSS/JavaScript working
- Third-party integrations (analytics, chat, payment)
Email Testing
- Send test email from your domain
- Receive test email to your domain
- Check SPAM folder (shouldn't be there)
- Verify email signature/formatting
- Test email client (Outlook, Gmail)
Don't Skip Testing!
Switching DNS without testing means your site could be offline for 24-48 hours (full DNS propagation time) while you troubleshoot. Test first, fix issues, THEN switch DNS.
The Safe Transfer Checklist
2 weeks before transfer
Preparation phase
1 week before transfer
Verification phase
Transfer day
Initiation phase
During transfer (5-7 days)
Processing phase
After transfer completes
Completion phase