What happens when you transfer a domain from GoDaddy

A domain transfer moves your domain registration from GoDaddy to a different registrar — a company that manages domain ownership records. GoDaddy keeps your domain active during the transfer, and you keep using it the whole time. The registrar changes, but your website stays online and your email keeps working.

The transfer itself takes three to five business days. During that time, you'll unlock your domain at GoDaddy, get an authorization code, and provide both to your new registrar. Your new registrar then contacts the registry (the central database for your domain extension) and requests the transfer. Once approved, your domain registration renews with the new registrar instead of GoDaddy.

You pay the new registrar a renewal fee to complete the transfer — usually between $8 and $15 per year depending on the domain extension and registrar. Some registrars offer a discount on the first year. The transfer does not affect your website hosting, email service, or DNS records unless you change them yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • You must unlock your domain at GoDaddy and request an authorization code before starting the transfer.
  • The transfer takes three to five business days and your domain stays active and working the entire time.
  • Your new registrar will ask you to confirm the transfer by clicking a link in an email sent to your domain's administrative contact.
  • You pay the new registrar a renewal fee (typically $8 to $15 per year) to complete the transfer.
  • Your website and email continue working without interruption as long as your DNS records point to the correct servers.

Step 1: Unlock your domain at GoDaddy

Log into your GoDaddy account and go to your domain list. Find the domain you want to transfer and click on it. Look for a lock icon or a section labeled "Domain Settings" or "Domain Management." Click the lock icon or the settings option to open the domain details.

Find the option to unlock your domain — it is usually labeled "Unlock Domain" or "Unlock This Domain." Click it. GoDaddy may ask you to confirm your identity by sending a code to your email or phone. Enter that code to complete the unlock. Once unlocked, the lock icon will change or disappear, and you'll see a message confirming the domain is now unlocked.

Unlocking takes effect when ready. Your domain is still registered to you at GoDaddy, but now it can be transferred to another registrar. The unlock lasts for 60 days, so you have that window to complete the transfer before GoDaddy locks it again automatically.

Step 2: Get your authorization code from GoDaddy

While still in your domain settings at GoDaddy, look for an option labeled "Authorization Code," "Auth Code," "EPP Code," or "Transfer Code." Click it. GoDaddy will display a code — usually a string of letters and numbers. Copy this code exactly as shown. Do not add spaces or change any characters.

GoDaddy may email this code to the administrative contact on file for your domain. Check your email (including spam folders) if the code does not appear on screen. You need this code to prove to your new registrar that you own the domain and have permission to transfer it.

Keep this code somewhere safe until you complete the transfer. You'll paste it into your new registrar's transfer form. If you lose it, you can return to GoDaddy and request a new one at any time during the 60-day unlock window.

Step 3: Choose a new registrar and start the transfer

Select a registrar to move your domain to. Common options include Namecheap, Porkbun, Google Domains, Hover, and Network Solutions. Each registrar has different pricing, customer service options, and features. Compare renewal rates and any additional services you might need before deciding.

Go to your new registrar's website and look for an option to transfer a domain. This is usually on the homepage or under a menu labeled "Transfer Domain" or "Bring Your Domain." Enter your domain name in the search box. The registrar will check whether the domain can be transferred and show you the renewal price.

Add the domain transfer to your cart and proceed to checkout. You'll need to create an account with the new registrar if you don't already have one. During checkout, you'll see a field asking for your authorization code. Paste the code you copied from GoDaddy into this field exactly as it appeared.

Step 4: Confirm the transfer through email

After you complete checkout, your new registrar sends a confirmation email to the administrative contact address on file for your domain. This email contains a link you must click to confirm the transfer. Check your email inbox and spam folder for this message — it usually arrives within a few minutes.

Click the confirmation link in the email. This tells the registry that you authorized the transfer and that the new registrar can take over your domain registration. Without this confirmation, the transfer will not proceed and will eventually expire.

GoDaddy may also send you a notification asking you to approve or deny the transfer. You can ignore this or click approve — either way, the transfer will go through once you confirm it with your new registrar. The confirmation step is what matters.

Step 5: Wait for the transfer to complete

Once you confirm the transfer through email, your new registrar begins the process with the registry. This usually takes one to three business days, though it can take up to five. During this time, your domain remains active and your website and email continue working normally.

Your new registrar will send you an email when the transfer is complete. This email confirms that your domain registration has moved to their system and provides you with login information for managing your domain there. You can now log into your new registrar's account to manage DNS records, renew your domain, or make other changes.

After the transfer completes, you can let your GoDaddy account sit or delete it. Your domain will no longer renew through GoDaddy, so you won't be charged by them. Your new registrar will handle all future renewals and management.

What to check after your domain transfers

Log into your new registrar's account and verify that your domain appears in your domain list. Check the domain details to confirm the registration end date and administrative contact information are correct. If anything looks wrong, contact your new registrar's support team right away.

Check your DNS records. These are the settings that point your domain to your website hosting and email service. Your new registrar should have copied these from GoDaddy during the transfer, but it's worth verifying. Log into your website hosting account and confirm that the nameservers match what your new registrar shows. If they don't match, update them at your new registrar to point to your hosting provider.

Test your website by visiting it in a browser. Test your email by sending a message to your domain email address. Both should work without interruption. If either doesn't work after a few hours, check your DNS records and nameserver settings. DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate, so some services may take time to fully switch over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my domain while my website is still hosted at GoDaddy?

Yes. Transferring your domain registration and hosting are separate things. You can move your domain to a new registrar while keeping your website hosted at GoDaddy. Just make sure your DNS records and nameservers are set correctly so your website stays online. If you're unsure, contact GoDaddy support before starting the transfer.

What if I get an error message saying my domain can't be transferred?

The most common reason is that your domain is locked. Return to GoDaddy and make sure you unlocked it. Another reason is that your domain is too new — most registrars require domains to be at least 60 days old before transfer. If your domain is newer than that, wait a few weeks and try again. If you still get an error, contact your new registrar's support team with the error message.

Do I lose my email when I transfer my domain?

Not if your email is hosted separately from your domain registration. If you use GoDaddy email and want to keep it, you'll need to set it up at your new registrar or move it to a different email provider before transferring. If your email is hosted with your website hosting provider, it continues working as long as your DNS records stay pointed to that hosting provider.

How much does it cost to transfer a domain?

Your new registrar charges a renewal fee, which typically ranges from $8 to $15 per year depending on the domain extension and registrar. Some registrars offer discounted rates for the first year. GoDaddy does not charge a fee to release your domain, but you may lose any remaining time on your current registration — most registrars add one year to your registration when you transfer.

Can I transfer my domain back to GoDaddy later?

Yes. The transfer process is the same whether you're moving to GoDaddy or away from it. You unlock your domain at your current registrar, get an authorization code, and provide both to GoDaddy. GoDaddy will charge you a renewal fee just like any other registrar would.