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Transfer Your Domain to Porkbun

Your domain deserves a better home :)

Domain Name

Auth Code

Prepare Your Domain For Transfer

First time transfering a domain?
Follow our step-by-step guide:

Learn More

We also have guides for specific registrars. Just click on a registrar below or view all articles:

GoDaddy

Squarespace

Namecheap

See All Articles

Check Timing

Make sure your domain has been registered with the current registrar for at least 60 days. Some less honorable registrars might also impose a 60 day lock after the change of registrant, although they may allow you to opt out of this.

Email Access

Make sure that you have access to the registrant and / or administrative email address for the domain. In some situations we may send a domain transfer authorization email to this address.

Unlock It

Make sure the domain is unlocked at your current registrar. Different registrars might use different names for this such as "security lock," "domain lock," "transfer lock," etc. If it is locked, it will delay the domain transfer.

Get Auth Code

You will need a domain transfer authorization code from your current registrar. They might call it the "authorization code," "transfer code," "auth code," or some other name. They are required to give you this code to allow you to transfer a domain away.

What to Expect when You're Expecting...
a Domain Transfer

Check Your Email

Your current registrar and / or us may send you an email. It's important to confirm and accept the domain transfer.

Waiting Game

The complete process can take less than a day and not generally more than eight days.

Domain Transfer Success

Once the domain transfer is complete, it will be added to your Porkbun account and we'll send you an email letting you know.

Nameservers

The domain's nameservers will remain the same as they were with your previous registrar. If you're using your registrar's own nameservers, some will disable your DNS as soon as the domain leaves, which breaks any website, email, and other services attached to it. When you submit a transfer we look at where your DNS lives and offer to set it up here first, holding the transfer until you're ready.

Contact Information

The domain's contact info will generally remain the same as at your old registrar. If we are unable to properly query your current registrar's WHOIS server we may set the contacts to the defaults in your account.

Pricing and Renewal

Looking for domain transfer pricing? Check out our domain pricing page. All transfers of gTLD domain names include a one year renewal of the domain unless the domain is inside the auto renew grace period. Country code TLDs can be wonky, see below.

Warnings, Exceptions, and other Wonkiness

Some Registrars Will Break Your Domain

If you are using your current registrar's nameservers, some will disable your DNS the moment the domain leaves them, which takes your website and email down with it. You do not have to plan around that anymore: when you submit a transfer we check where your DNS lives, and if it is at risk we hold the transfer, help you copy your records over and point your nameservers at us, and only submit to the registry once you say go. If you are using third party nameservers not offered through your registrar you should be fine, and you can skip the whole thing in one click.

No Renewal For You

A lot of country code TLDs (ccTLDs) play by their own rules. The following TLDs do not offer a free renewal as part of a domain transfer: .cv, .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, .id.au, .au, .uk, .co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk, .de, .cx, .ph, .com.ph, .net.ph, .org.ph.

These TLD's Make No Sense

Other country codes are straight up weird and will delete any amount of registration term over one year. These TLDs only carry over a maximum of one years' worth of registration: .nl, .de.