The Standard Process
Under ICANN rules, gTLD transfers (.com, .net, .org, .info, etc.) must complete within 5 days. In practice, they usually take 2–5 days. Country-code extensions (.uk, .de, .bg) follow their own registry rules and may have different timelines and additional verification requirements.
Where Transfers Get Stuck
1. Wrong EPP Code
You need the EPP (auth) code from your current registrar to authorize the transfer. This code is case-sensitive. When copying and pasting, strip any leading or trailing spaces — these are invisible and will cause an instant rejection with no clear error message.
2. Registrar Lock
Most registrars automatically lock domains against unauthorized transfer. "Transfer Lock" or "Registrar Lock" must be disabled before initiating. This usually takes 5 seconds in your control panel but is frequently overlooked, blocking the transfer entirely.
3. Approval Email Not Arriving
When a transfer is initiated, the old registrar sends a confirmation email to the WHOIS-listed address. If that email address is old or inactive, the transfer waits 5 days and then auto-completes. Keep your WHOIS email current to avoid this 5-day hold.
4. The 60-Day Rule
If a domain was registered or transferred within the last 60 days, it cannot be transferred again. This is an ICANN rule with no exceptions. You simply have to wait for the window to pass.
How to Cut the Timeline
Before initiating: get the EPP code, disable transfer lock, confirm the WHOIS email is active and you can access it. With all three in place, most transfers complete in 24–48 hours.
Transfer your domain to EuroVDC via our domain transfer page.
Will my website go down during a domain transfer?
No. A domain transfer only changes which registrar manages the domain — it does not modify DNS settings. Your website continues running throughout the transfer. A brief outage risk only arises if you need to move DNS records to the new registrar after the transfer completes.
Does a domain transfer also renew the domain for an extra year?
Yes, ICANN requires registrars to add one year of registration when accepting a transfer. This year is added on top of the domain's current expiration date, so you never lose any existing registration time.
What if my registrar refuses to provide the EPP code?
Registrars are required by ICANN policy to provide the EPP code upon request. If they refuse or charge a fee for it, this is an ICANN policy violation. You can file a complaint with ICANN; this typically resolves within 2–3 business days.