This guide follows ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) transfer policies.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Unlock the Domain

The domain must have the clientTransferProhibited status removed by the current Registrar or service provider. This is done via the current registrar’s control panel or by contacting their support. You can check the current status at https://whois.is

Step 2: Obtain EPP/Auth Code

The current registrar or service provider provides a unique authorisation code (also called EPP key or transfer secret). This code proves you own the domain. Keep this code safe – you will need to enter it exactly as provided.

Step 3: Initiate the Transfer at the New Registrar

You go to your chosen new registrar, purchase the transfer service (which typically includes a one-year renewal), and enter the domain name and the EPP/Auth Code from Step 2. The new registrar will then begin the transfer process.

Step 4: Approval Email is Sent to the Registrant

The new (gaining) registrar sends a formal “Request for Transfer Approval” email to the Registrant Email Address listed in the WHOIS records. If WHOIS privacy is enabled, this email is sent to the masked/proxy email address, which forwards it to your real email address. This email is not sent by the old registrar or the domain registry – it comes from the new registrar.

Step 5: Registrant Confirms the Transfer

The person or company reflected as the Registrant must actively confirm the transfer by clicking the approval link in the email or by replying as instructed. This confirmation is mandatory unless you have previously opted into a “fast-transfer” system (which is rare for most clients). Without this confirmation, the transfer cannot proceed.

Step 6: Current Registrar Has 5 Calendar Days to Respond

The old registrar receives a notification from the registry and has up to 5 calendar days to respond. They can do one of the following:

- Approve the transfer immediately.
- Deny the transfer for a valid ICANN reason (e.g., fraud, pending dispute, or a 60-day lock after a recent registration or transfer).
- Do nothing – if they take no action within the 5-day window, the transfer is automatically approved by the registry.

Step 7: Transfer Completes

Once approved (either manually by the old registrar or automatically after 5 days), the domain is moved to the new registrar’s management system. The new registrar typically adds one year to the domain’s expiration date, unless the transfer was initiated within the 45-day renewal window, where specific rules apply.

Step 8: Verify the Transfer

Log into your new registrar’s dashboard and confirm that the domain appears in your account. Also check the WHOIS status at https://whois.is – it should no longer show pendingTransfer. The normal active status is typically ok or active.

Important Technical Notes

WHOIS Status During Transfer: While the transfer is in progress, the domain will show pendingTransfer in its WHOIS status codes. This is normal and means the registry is processing the request.
60-Day Lock Rule: ICANN rules prevent a domain from being transferred if it was registered or previously transferred within the last 60 days. You cannot transfer during this lock period.
Domain Expiry: You can transfer a domain even if it is expired, as long as it is within the registrar’s grace/renewal period (usually up to 30 days after expiry). However, it is safer to renew it first before initiating the transfer.
DNS and Website Impact: The transfer only changes who you pay for the domain registration. Your nameservers, DNS records, website, and email remain completely unaffected. There is no downtime.
South African Registrars: Many South African registrars are resellers for international ICANN-accredited registrars. However, some South African registrars hold direct ICANN accreditation themselves. Either way, the process for .com or .org transfers remains identical because these domains are governed by ICANN, not ZACR (the .za registry).

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: The WHOIS shows pendingTransfer, but the Registrant has not received any approval email. What now?

This is a common issue. Here is your troubleshooting checklist:

Check Spam/Junk Folders – The email comes from the new registrar, not the old one. Search your inbox for the new registrar’s name or the domain name itself.
Check WHOIS Privacy / Proxy Email – If your domain has WHOIS privacy enabled, the registrant email is masked (e.g., [email protected]). That proxy service forwards emails to your real address. Check if the proxy service is delaying or blocking the email. Also check the spam folder of the proxy service if applicable.
Check the Correct Registrar – Remember, the approval email is sent by the new (gaining) registrar, not the old one. Many clients mistakenly wait for an email from their current provider.
Resend the Approval Email – Log into your account at the new registrar and look for a “Resend Transfer Approval Email” button or similar option. Most registrars offer this function.
Alternative Approval Methods – Some registrars allow you to approve the transfer via a one-click link in the email, while others require you to log into your account and approve it there. Check your new registrar’s dashboard for any pending transfer tasks.
Last Resort – Contact Support – If you still cannot find the email after 48 hours, contact the new registrar’s support team. They can manually trigger a new email or, in some cases, verify your identity and approve the transfer on your behalf (subject to their internal policies).

Q2: Can I cancel a transfer if I change my mind?

Yes, but only while the status is still pendingTransfer. You have two options:

From the new registrar: Cancel the transfer request in your new account dashboard.
From the old registrar: The old registrar can explicitly deny the transfer within the 5-day window. They must provide a valid ICANN reason, but many will deny it on request if you contact them promptly.

Once the status changes to ok or active at the new registrar, the transfer is final and cannot be reversed.

Q3: Why is my transfer taking longer than expected?

The maximum time is 5 calendar days. If it takes longer, it usually means:

The old registrar is actively using the full 5 days to process the request (they are allowed to).
There is a technical issue with the EPP code – double-check that you entered it correctly during Step 3.
The domain has an additional lock (e.g., clientUpdateProhibited or registryLock) that hasn’t been removed.
There is a pending dispute or legal hold on the domain.

Q4: Will my website or email go down during the transfer?

No. The DNS (nameservers) and hosting settings are not changed during a registrar transfer. Your website, email, and all DNS records remain pointing to your existing hosting provider. The transfer only changes who you pay for the domain registration – it does not affect DNS resolution or website availability.

Q5: What if the old registrar refuses to unlock my domain or give me the EPP code?

Under ICANN rules, registrars are required to provide the EPP code within 5 days of a verified request. If they refuse or delay without a valid reason (e.g., unpaid fees, fraud, or a 60-day lock), you can file a complaint with ICANN via their Transfer Complaint Form. However, most legitimate registrars will comply immediately once you verify your identity.

Q6: What happens to my domain expiry date after the transfer?

For .com and .org domains, the new registrar typically adds one full year to the current expiration date. For example, if your domain expires on 15 December 2026, and you transfer on 1 September 2026, the new expiry date becomes 15 December 2027. However, if you initiate the transfer within 45 days of expiry, some registrars may handle this differently – always confirm the new expiry date with your new registrar after the transfer completes.

Q7: I am a South African client using a local registrar. Does this process change for me?

No, the process does not change. Whether your local South African registrar is a reseller or directly ICANN-accredited, the same EPP code, approval email, and 5-day rule apply. The only difference is that you might be dealing with the local registrar’s support team, who will then communicate with their upstream international provider on your behalf. The steps remain identical.

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