A Domain Transfer is a process in which the registration of your domain name is moved from one registrar (company who registers domains - such as NetRegistry) to another.

Transfer all your domain names to NetRegistry for easy centralised management and low prices for renewal.

.AU domain names can be transferred for free and you can renew them later
Other domain names (like .COM) need to be renewed during transfer

Clients will require their domain name password (or "Auth-Info") to transfer a domain name to NetRegistry. Please contact your registrar for this information.

The Transfer Process

The transfer process differs depending on the type of domain name you wish to transfer. To view the process, select the domain type:

.au domains
.com/net/org/info/biz
.nz
.uk
Other Domains

AU Transfer Process

The transfer of a .au domain name typically takes 2-3 days. Domain transfers follow the procedures outlined in auDA's Transfers policy (change of registrar) as follows:

A domain transfer order is submitted by the customer, via the NetRegistry website or The Console.
Once NetRegistry receives the transfer order, the domain's Registrant Contact email address is retrieved from the whois record. A "request for authorisation of transfer" letter will be emailed to the registrant contact of the domain name within 60 minutes. This transfer authorisation email contains instructions for approving the transfer of the domain to NetRegistry. You must respond to this email for a successful domain transfer.
When we receive confirmation of the transfer from the registrant contact, NetRegistry will notify the Official Registry of the pending transfer, the status of your domain will then change to "PENDINGTRANSFER". The domain will be in "PENDINGTRANSFER" status for 48 hours, after which time the domain will be transferred to NetRegistry by the Official Registry.
Once the domain name is transferred to NetRegistry, an account will be set up in The Console from which you can administer the domain online 24hous, 7days a week and will be notified via email of the successful transfer of the domain.

COM/NET/ORG/INFO/BIZ Transfer Process

The transfer of .com/.net/.org/.info/.biz Domain names usually complete within 5-10 days. Domain transfers follow the procedures outlined in ICANN's Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy as follows:

A domain transfer order is submitted by the customer, via the NetRegistry website or The Console.
Once NetRegistry receives the transfer order, the domain's Administrative Contact email address is retrieved from the whois record. We then email an "Authorization for Registrar Transfer" to the Administrative Contact of the domain within 24 hours. This transfer authorization e-mail contains a unique link, authorizing the transfer of the domain name to NetRegistry. NetRegistry must receive a response from this email to continue with the transfer of a .com/.net/.org/.info/.biz domain name.
If your domain is unlocked and we received transfer authorization from you, upon clicking the link in the original email, a transfer command request is sent to Official Registry for approval within 5 days. The Registry contacts both registrars involved in the domain transfer. Unless the Current Registrar legitimately denies the domain transfer, or you tell them to stop it, the transfer of the domain to NetRegistry occurs within 5 days.
If the transfer of the domain is successful, our system will receive the domain, your billing information is charged and the transferred domain is placed into your NetRegistry account. Clients are then notified via email of the successful completion of the transfer.

.nz Transfer Process

A domain transfer order is submitted by the customer, via the NetRegistry website or The Console. This transfer order must contain the UDAI (link) password for the domain. If a password is not supplied, or it is incorrect, the transfer will not be successful.
Once NetRegistry receives the transfer order, we verify the UDAI password with the New Zealand Registry, to ensure that the transfer can proceed. When we receive confirmation that the UDAI password is correct, we will then apply directly to the Registry for the transfer of the domain.
The New Zealand Registry will transfer the domain immediately (as long as the UDAI password is correct) and the domain will be set up within NetRegistry's The Console. Clients will be notified of the successful transfer via email. Your billing information will also be charged for the renewal of the domain, which is required when transferring .nz domains.

Please note: NetRegistry does not send "requests for authorisation" emails for .nz domain transfers.

.uk Transfer Process

A domain transfer order is submitted by the customer, via the relevant page on NetRegistry website.
Once NetRegistry receives the transfer order, we will contact the domain registrant to ensure that they have updated the "IPS-TAG (link)" of the domain to "TUCOWS-CA", which is NetRegistry’s IPS-TAG. This action needs to be done through the existing domain registrar. Once this has been completed, NetRegistry will apply to the registry for the transfer of the domain name.
When the Registry confirms the domain transfer has taken place (typically 2-4 business days), the domain name will be set-up in The Console. Customers will be charged for 2 years of registration, the minimum requirement for .uk domain transfers.

Please note that with .uk domain transfers, a request for authorisation email is not required.

Other Domains

At this stage, NetRegistry will transfer the above-listed types of domain names. If your domain is not on the list above, NetRegistry cannot accept incoming transfers for this type of domain.

Transferring a Domain Name to NetRegistry

To transfer your domain to NetRegistry, please review the Transfer Process for specifications on the domain name type. When you are ready, visit our transfers page, or log in to your existing NetRegistry account via The Console and submit your transfer request online.

After submitting your transfer request, clients will receive a tracking number. Please keep this number, as it will identify your domain transfer in our system when enquiring about your transfer status.

We have put together a checklist for different types of domains, ensuring a smooth transfer.

Transfer Checklist for .au Domain Names

1. Domain in ACTIVE status with your current registrar

To successfully transfer a domain, its status must be "ACTIVE". You cannot transfer a domain name that is locked, "status: SERVER UPDATE PROHIBITED". Domains will typically be locked if there is an active dispute over eligibility or payment. Check with your existing registrar if you are unsure.

2. Confirm registrant contact's correct email address

The Registrant whois contact for your domain must authorize transfers. During transfer, an "Authorization for Registrar Transfer" email is sent to the registrant email address. Check your whois report, ensuring the Administrative Contact email address is correct - if this address is inaccurate or inaccessible; please update it with your existing registrar before submitting a domain transfer request. If you do not respond to the "Authorization for Registrar Transfer" email, the domain cannot be transferred.

3. Obtain the Domain Password from the existing Registrar

The .au Registry requires a special Domain Password (also sometimes called AUTH CODE or EPP Code) to approve domain name transfers. Obtain this code from your current registrar before submitting a domain transfer; otherwise your domain will not be transferred. Please note that this password is usually different to your domain "Registry Key", or the password used to access your existing registrar's system. If your registrant email address is correct, you can download a copy of your Domain Password from auDA.

Upon completion of the above steps, submit a transfer request to transfer the registration of your domain name to NetRegistry. If you have any questions, or need advice, NetRegistry has a dedicated Domain Administration Team. Contact our Domain Administration Team on 1800 788 082.

Transfer Checklist for .com/.net/.org/.info/.biz Domain Names

Perform a whois search on the domain name you wish to transfer and review the checklist below.

1. Ensure domain name is not within 60 days of the initial registration or a previous registrar transfer

Domain names cannot be transferred within the first 60 days of being registered, or within 60 days of being transferred from another registrar. Some registrars have security measures in place where they will not allow the transfer of a domain name within 60 days of the registrant information being updated. You will need to check with your existing registrar for further information to see if this applies to your domain.

2. Domain name is in ACTIVE / OK status

To successfully transfer a domain, it must have its status set to "ACTIVE". If the status is "locked", you will need to have the domain un-locked through your existing registrar. Also, if your domain's status is "ON HOLD" (e.g. non-payment or dispute) or "REDEMPTION PERIOD" you will not be able to transfer the domain. NetRegistry recommends submitting your domain name transfer order at least 7 days before an expiration date. If the domain name expires during the transfer process, the DNS will stop working, therefore any website and or email service you have for this domain will not work until the transfer has been completed.

3. Administrative contact's email address is correct, up to date, and you can access messages sent to it

The Administrative whois contact for your domain must authorize transfers. During a transfer, an "Authorization for Registrar Transfer" email is sent to the administrative email address. Check your whois report to ensure that the Administrative Contact email address is one you have access to - if this address is inaccurate or inaccessible, update it with your existing registrar before submitting a domain transfer request. If you do not respond to the "Authorization for Registrar Transfer" email, your domain cannot be transferred.

4. Obtain the domain authorization code (EPP Password) from current registrar

The .ORG, .BIZ, .INFO, .COM & NET Registry's require an Authorization Code (also sometimes called AUTH CODE, AUTHINFO, AUTH or EPP Code) to approve domain name transfers. Obtain this code from your current registrar before submitting a domain transfer, otherwise your domain will not be able to be transferred. You will need to enter the EPP code in at the time you respond to the "Authorization for Registrar Transfer" email (which is sent to the administrative whois contact for your domain).

Once you have completed the above steps, you will be able to submit a transfer request to transfer the registration of your domain name to NetRegistry. If you have any questions, or if you need advice, NetRegistry have a dedicated Domain Administration Team on hand to help. Contact our Domain Administration Team on 1800 788 082.

Transfer Checklist for .nz Domain Names

1. Obtain the UDAI authorization code from current registrar.

The .nz Registry requires a special password called a UDAI to approve domain name transfers. Obtain this password code from your current registrar before submitting a domain transfer, otherwise your domain will not be able to be transferred.

Once you have completed the above step, clients will be able to submit a transfer request to transfer the registration of your domain name to NetRegistry. If you have any questions, or if you need advice, NetRegistry has a dedicated Domain Administration Team on hand to help. Contact our Domain Administration Team on 1800 788 082.

Transfer Checklist for .uk Domain Names

1. Update the IPS-TAG for your domain to "TUCOWS-CA"

You will need to contact your existing registrar and request that they change your IPS-TAG to NetRegistry’s, which is "TUCOWS-CA". This can usually only be completed by the registrar.

Once you have completed the above step, you will be able to submit a transfer request to transfer the registration of your domain name to NetRegistry. If you have any questions, or if require advice, NetRegistry has a dedicated Domain Administration Team on hand to help. Contact our Domain Administration Team on 1800 788 082.

Domain Name Transfer Duration

The time it takes to transfer a domain is dependent upon the type of domain name. Or when clients authorise the transfer of the domain. Please see the table below for a rough guideline:

Domain Extension	Time to Transfer
.au	2 days
.com / .net / .org / .info / .biz	5-7 days
.nz	1 day
.uk	5-7 days

Password Clarification

Domain password

The term "domain password" is used to refer to the password used to transfer a .au domain name between registrars. The password is unique for each domain name.

EPP password

This refers to the password that is needed to transfer the registration of com/net/org/info/biz domain names between registrars. The password is unique for each domain name

Auth Info password

This refers to the password that is needed to transfer the registration of com/net/org/info/biz domain names between registrars. The password is unique for each domain name

Registry Key

This is a password that is typically used by some registrars to log into their domain management system, and is usually different from the domain password/auth info password/epp password.

"Incorrect Password" Error

If you are receiving an "incorrect password" error, the password you are providing for the transfer of your domain is not the password that is needed to facilitate the transfer. The correct password can be downloaded from auDA.

Trouble transferring a domain name

If you are having trouble transferring your domain name, contact our customer service team on 1800 788 082 for advice and support. Alternatively, you can email domains@netregistry.com.au or submit an enquiry online. One of our customer service specialists will assist as soon as possible.

Will my domain name experience down time during the transfer?

Your domain name will not go offline nor become inaccessible during transfer, unless the domain expires. If your domain name is due to expire during the transfer process, it may go down until the transfer is completed.

For this reason we strongly recommend transferring your domain, well before the expiration date. Please note that you will not lose any existing or paid registration time - the renewal that you pay during the transfer process, is added to the end of your current domain registration period.

Will my hosting change when the domain is transferred?

Your domain registration is separate to the hosting, therefore your existing website hosting arrangement will not change upon transfer of the domain to NetRegistry.

Will my name servers change when the domain is transferred?

After being transferred to NetRegistry, no changes will be made to the name servers of the domain name. If you need to change your name servers, we strongly advise that you change them before submitting your transfer request.