What happens when you transfer a domain from GoDaddy

Transferring a domain from GoDaddy means moving the registration of your domain name to a different registrar — a company that manages domain ownership records. GoDaddy keeps your domain locked by default, so the first step is unlocking it. Then you request an authorization code (also called an auth code or EPP code) from GoDaddy, provide that code to your new registrar, and pay a transfer fee, which is usually around $8.95 but varies by registrar and domain extension.

The transfer itself takes 5 to 7 days once you submit the authorization code to the new registrar. During that time, your website and email keep working normally. You do not lose service. At the end of the transfer period, your new registrar becomes the official manager of your domain, and your domain registration renews with them instead of GoDaddy.

You can transfer most domain extensions (.com, .net, .org, .co, and hundreds of others), but some country-code domains and certain specialty extensions have different rules. Check with your new registrar first to confirm they handle your specific domain type.

Key Takeaways

  • GoDaddy locks domains by default, so you must unlock your domain in your GoDaddy account before requesting an authorization code.
  • The authorization code is a unique string of characters that proves you own the domain and want to move it; GoDaddy emails it to you after you request it.
  • You provide the authorization code to your new registrar, pay their transfer fee, and the move takes 5 to 7 days while your site stays live.
  • Your domain renewal date does not change during a transfer, so you are not charged twice for the same year.

Unlock your domain in GoDaddy

Log into your GoDaddy account and go to the My Products page. Find the domain you want to transfer and click on it. Look for a Domain Lock toggle or button — it will show as "On" or "Locked" by default. Click it to turn the lock off.

GoDaddy may ask you to confirm this action via email or by entering a security code. Check your email (including spam) for a confirmation message from GoDaddy and follow the link or enter the code they provide. Once you complete this step, your domain is unlocked and you can proceed to request the authorization code.

Unlocking takes effect when ready, though GoDaddy sometimes takes a few minutes to update their system. If you request an authorization code right away and it does not arrive within 15 minutes, wait a few more minutes and try again.

Request your authorization code from GoDaddy

While still in your GoDaddy account on the domain details page, look for an option labeled Authorization Code, Auth Code, EPP Code, or Transfer Code. Click the button to request it. GoDaddy will email the code to the email address associated with your account within a few minutes.

The authorization code is a long string of letters and numbers — something like "a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8". Save this code somewhere safe (a text file, password manager, or email draft) because you will need it to give to your new registrar. Do not share it with anyone else.

If you do not receive the email within 15 minutes, check your spam folder. If it is not there, log back into GoDaddy and request the code again. You can request it as many times as you need.

Choose a new registrar and start the transfer

Popular registrars that accept domain transfers include Namecheap, Bluehost, Porkbun, Google Domains, and many others. Visit the website of the registrar you want to use and look for a Transfer Domain or Transfer a Domain to Us option. This is usually on their homepage or in a menu labeled "Domains."

Enter your domain name in the search box. The registrar will check whether the domain can be transferred and show you the transfer fee. Most registrars charge $8.95 to $12.95 per year for a .com transfer, though prices vary. Some registrars offer promotional rates for first-time transfers. Add the domain to your cart and proceed to checkout.

You do not need to create an account before starting the transfer, but most registrars require one to complete it. If you do not already have an account with the new registrar, you will create one during checkout. Use an email address you check regularly, because the registrar will send you confirmation emails during the transfer process.

Provide the authorization code and complete payment

During checkout, the registrar will ask you to enter the authorization code you received from GoDaddy. Paste the code into the field exactly as GoDaddy sent it — do not add spaces or change anything. The registrar will verify the code with GoDaddy's system.

Complete your payment using a credit card, debit card, or other payment method the registrar accepts. Once payment is processed, the registrar submits the transfer request to GoDaddy. You will receive a confirmation email from the new registrar saying the transfer is in progress.

At this point, your work is mostly done. The registrars handle the rest of the process between themselves. Your website and email continue to work normally during the transfer.

Confirm the transfer when GoDaddy sends the approval email

Within 24 to 48 hours of submitting the transfer request, GoDaddy sends an email to the email address on file for your domain. The email asks you to confirm that you want to transfer the domain. Open the email and click the link or button to approve the transfer.

If you do not confirm within a certain time window (usually 5 to 7 days), the transfer request expires and you have to start over. So check your email regularly during this period, including your spam folder. If you cannot find the confirmation email, log into your GoDaddy account and look for a pending transfer notice on your domain details page — you can often approve it from there as well.

Once you confirm, GoDaddy releases the domain and your new registrar takes over. This final step usually takes 24 to 48 hours, though it can be faster. You will receive a confirmation email from your new registrar when the transfer is complete.

Update your nameservers if needed

After the transfer completes, your domain is now registered with the new registrar, but it may still be pointing to GoDaddy's nameservers. If you want your website or email to move to a different hosting provider, you need to update your nameservers in your new registrar's account.

Log into your new registrar's account, find your domain, and look for Nameservers, DNS Settings, or Domain Settings. Your new hosting provider will give you a list of nameservers to enter here. Copy them exactly and save the changes. Nameserver changes take effect within 24 to 48 hours.

If you are keeping your website and email hosted with GoDaddy, you do not need to change anything. Your domain will continue to point to GoDaddy's servers automatically, and everything will work as before.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my domain if it is less than 60 days old?

No. ICANN (the organization that governs domain registration) requires domains to be at least 60 days old before they can be transferred. If your domain is newer than that, you have to wait. You can still unlock it and prepare, but the transfer will not go through until the 60-day window has passed.

Will my website go down during the transfer?

No. Your website and email stay live the entire time. The transfer only changes who manages the domain registration in the background. Your nameservers and hosting do not change unless you change them yourself.

What if GoDaddy does not send me the confirmation email?

Check your spam folder first. If it is not there, log into your GoDaddy account and look for a pending transfer notice on your domain details page — you can usually approve it directly from there. If you still cannot find it, contact GoDaddy support and ask them to resend the confirmation email or approve the transfer manually.

Can I transfer my domain back to GoDaddy later?

Yes. The transfer process works the same way in reverse. You unlock your domain at your current registrar, request an authorization code, and provide it to GoDaddy during their transfer checkout. You will pay another transfer fee to GoDaddy.

Do I lose my email when I transfer my domain?

Not automatically. If you have GoDaddy email service, it will stop working after the transfer unless you move it to your new registrar or a different email provider. Before you transfer, decide whether you want to keep GoDaddy email (and pay them for it separately) or switch to email through your new registrar or another service. Set up your new email before the transfer completes so you do not lose access to important messages.