Moving your domain from GoDaddy to another registrar

To transfer a domain from GoDaddy, you unlock it in your GoDaddy account, get an authorization code from GoDaddy, then provide both to your new registrar. The new registrar handles the rest of the transfer process. The whole move usually takes three to five business days, though GoDaddy may hold the domain for up to ten days if you've owned it for less than 60 days.

You keep using your domain the entire time — it doesn't go offline during the transfer. Your email, website, and DNS records all stay active. The only thing that changes is which company manages the domain registration going forward.

Key Takeaways

  • You must unlock your domain in your GoDaddy account before any transfer can begin, and GoDaddy will not unlock it automatically.
  • GoDaddy will email you an authorization code (sometimes called an auth code or transfer code) once you request it, and you'll need this code to give to your new registrar.
  • Your new registrar will ask you to enter the authorization code during their transfer process, and they handle contacting GoDaddy from that point forward.
  • If you've owned the domain for fewer than 60 days, GoDaddy can legally hold it for up to ten days before releasing it, even after you've unlocked it.
  • Your website, email, and DNS settings continue working throughout the transfer as long as your nameservers don't change.

Step 1: Log into GoDaddy and unlock your domain

Sign into your GoDaddy account at godaddy.com. Click on "My Products" or "Domains" (the exact label depends on which version of the GoDaddy interface you see). Find the domain you want to transfer and click on it to open the domain details page.

Look for a lock icon or a button labeled "Unlock" or "Domain Lock." Click it. GoDaddy will ask you to confirm that you want to unlock the domain — this is a safety step to prevent accidental transfers. Confirm the unlock. The domain is now unlocked, which means another registrar can request it from GoDaddy's system.

Step 2: Request your authorization code from GoDaddy

While still in your domain details page, look for an option to view or send your authorization code. This may be labeled "Get Authorization Code," "Transfer Code," "Auth Code," or "AUTHCODE." Click it. GoDaddy will send the code to the email address associated with your account.

Check your email (including spam folders) for a message from GoDaddy with the subject line containing "authorization code" or "transfer code." The code itself is usually a string of letters and numbers. Copy this code and save it somewhere you can find it — you'll need it in the next step.

If you don't receive the email within a few minutes, log back into GoDaddy and request the code again. GoDaddy sometimes sends multiple copies if you request it more than once.

Step 3: Start the transfer at your new registrar

Go to the website of the registrar where you want to move your domain. Most registrars have a "Transfer Domain" option on their homepage or in their main menu. Click it and enter your domain name in the search box.

The registrar will check whether the domain can be transferred. If it can, they'll show you the transfer price (which is often lower than renewal price) and ask you to add it to your cart. Complete the checkout process and create an account with the new registrar if you don't already have one.

During checkout or when ready after, the new registrar will ask you to enter your authorization code from GoDaddy. Paste the code you saved in Step 2. The new registrar will then send a transfer request to GoDaddy's system.

Step 4: Confirm the transfer (if required)

Some registrars send a confirmation email to the domain owner's email address on file at GoDaddy. This email asks you to click a link to approve the transfer. Check your email and click the confirmation link if you receive one. This step is not always required — some registrars and some domains skip it — but if you see the email, you must respond or the transfer will not complete.

GoDaddy may also send you a notification that a transfer has been requested. You do not need to do anything with this email; it's just informing you that the process has started.

What happens to your website and email during the transfer

Your website and email continue working normally during the transfer. The domain itself doesn't move offline or stop resolving to your website's server. The only thing changing is the company that manages the domain registration in the background.

This is true as long as you don't change your nameservers during the transfer. If your website is hosted with GoDaddy and you're moving the domain to a different registrar, you may need to update your nameservers to point to your hosting provider instead. Your hosting provider can tell you what nameservers to use. Make this change after the transfer is complete, not before.

Timing and what to expect

Most domain transfers complete within three to five business days. You can check the status by logging into your new registrar's account and looking at your domain details — they usually show a "Transfer in Progress" status with an estimated completion date.

If your domain is fewer than 60 days old, GoDaddy can legally delay the transfer for up to ten days. This is an ICANN rule, not a GoDaddy policy. Once the ten-day period passes, GoDaddy must release the domain. If you're moving a very new domain, plan for the longer timeline.

Once the transfer completes, your new registrar becomes the official registrar of record. You'll renew the domain with them going forward, not with GoDaddy. Your new registrar will send you renewal reminders at the email address you provided during checkout.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don't see an unlock option in my GoDaddy account?

Some domains, particularly newer ones or those with certain restrictions, may not show an unlock button in the standard location. Log into GoDaddy, go to your domain details, and look for a "Settings" or "Advanced" section. If you still can't find it, contact GoDaddy support — they can unlock it for you over the phone or through chat.

Can I transfer a domain that's expired?

No. GoDaddy will not unlock or transfer an expired domain. You must renew it first, wait for the renewal to process (usually a few hours), and then unlock it. After renewal, you have 45 days to transfer it before it expires again.

What if my new registrar says the authorization code is invalid?

Double-check that you copied the code correctly — these codes are case-sensitive and contain no spaces. If the code looks right, request a new one from GoDaddy. Authorization codes expire after a certain period (usually 30 days), so if you requested it a long time ago, ask GoDaddy to send you a fresh one.

Do I lose my email if I transfer the domain?

Not automatically. If your email is hosted with GoDaddy, you'll need to decide whether to keep it with GoDaddy or move it to your new registrar or a different email host. GoDaddy will let you keep the email even after the domain transfers. Talk to GoDaddy about your email options before you transfer, or contact them after the transfer is complete.

Can I transfer a domain back to GoDaddy later?

Yes. The process is the same — you unlock it at your current registrar, get an authorization code, and provide both to GoDaddy. There's no penalty for moving a domain between registrars multiple times.