Domain transfer

Definition

A domain transfer is the process of moving a registered domain name from one domain registrar to another, while ownership of the domain remains with the registrant. Businesses and individuals often transfer domains for reasons such as lower pricing, better support, enhanced security, or consolidating multiple domains under a single registrar.

The process is governed by policies established by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and requires authentication codes, verification emails, and adherence to domain-specific rules. Importantly, domain transfers do not affect the registrant’s ownership rights but change the service provider responsible for domain management.

Advanced

Technically, a domain transfer uses Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP) to authenticate and authorize the process. The registrant must unlock the domain, obtain an authorization code (also known as EPP or transfer code), and approve the transfer through confirmation emails. Registrars may impose restrictions such as a 60-day lock after new registrations or ownership changes, in compliance with ICANN’s Transfer Policy.

Advanced domain transfer scenarios include bulk transfers during corporate acquisitions, migration to enterprise-grade registrars with advanced DNS and security tools, and compliance-driven transfers for regulatory or brand protection purposes. Domain transfers may also involve DNS updates, which if mismanaged, can cause downtime.

Why it matters

• Provides flexibility to choose a registrar with better pricing or features.
• Ensures domains are managed in line with business needs and security policies.
• Consolidates domain portfolios for easier administration.
• Supports business continuity during mergers and acquisitions.

Use cases

• Moving domains to a registrar offering enterprise DNS management.
• Consolidating all brand domains into one account for oversight.
• Transferring domains after company acquisitions.
• Switching providers for better customer support or pricing.

Metrics

• Average completion time of transfers.
• Percentage of successful transfers without errors.
• Domain portfolio consolidation rate.
• Downtime incidents caused by misconfigured DNS.

Issues

• Incorrect DNS configuration may cause website or email outages.
• Locked domains or expired registrations can delay transfers.
• Unauthorized attempts can lead to disputes or domain theft.
• Delays from registrars not complying quickly with ICANN timelines.

Example

An international retailer consolidates its global domain portfolio by transferring hundreds of domains to a single enterprise registrar. This centralization reduces administrative overhead, ensures consistent DNS management, and improves domain security monitoring across markets.