The Transfer Process
The transfer of domain names is a process that allows you to consolidate the renewal of your domain names with a single supplier. You can transfer your domain names to Netregistry and then we inform you in the future when their renewal is due.
The transfer of .com/.net/.org/.info/.biz Domain names usually complete within 5-10 days and requires a minimal of 1 year renewal upon transfer. Domain transfers follow the procedures outlined in ICANN’s Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy as follows:
- A domain name transfer order is submitted by the customer, via the NetRegistry website.
- Once NetRegistry receives the transfer order, the domain’s Administrative Contact email address is retrieved from the whois record. We then email an “Authorisation for Registrar Transfer” to the Administrative Contact of the domain within 24 hours. This transfer authorisation e-mail contains a unique link, authorising 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 authorisation 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 for the renewal of the domain and the transferred domain is placed into your NetRegistry account. Clients are then notified via email of the successful completion of the transfer.
Transfer Checklist for .com/.net/.org/.info/.biz Domain Names
Perform a whois search on the domain name you wish to transfer and complete the following steps.
- Ensure the 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.
- 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.
- 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 authorise 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.
- Obtain the domain authorisation code (EPP Password) from current registrar
The .ORG, .BIZ, .INFO, .COM & NET Registry’s require an Authorisation 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).
- Credit card details are valid for renewal of domain.Upon completion of transfer, the domain is renewed for 1 year (or however many years you have selected to be renewed)
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 02 9934 0501 (international callers: +61 2 9934 0501).
