Domain Transfer

Registrars often lock domains by default to prevent unauthorized transfers. This “domain lock” (also called “Registrar Lock” or “ClientTransferProhibited”) stops anyone from moving your domain without your permission.

It’s a security feature. You’ll need to unlock it before initiating a transfer.

How do I unlock my domain?

1. Log in to your current registrar’s control panel.
2. Find the domain management or security settings.
3. Turn off the domain lock (toggle “Registrar Lock” to off).
4. Save your changes.

Once unlocked, you can request the authorization (EPP) code needed for transfer.

Typically, domain transfers complete within:

Factors that may delay transfers include:

• Domain lock status at current registrar
• Slow response from your current registrar
• Incorrect or missing authorization (EPP) codes

No. Usually, your website will remain online throughout the transfer process if you keep your DNS settings unchanged.

To avoid downtime, ensure:

• DNS nameservers remain the same during transfer
• You don’t make unnecessary DNS changes during transfer
• Email records (MX records) remain unchanged until the transfer is complete

Generally, no. Domains must be active and unlocked.

• If your domain recently expired, renew it first at your current registrar, then initiate the transfer.
• Expired domains typically enter a redemption or grace period, making transfers impossible during that period.

Your email service should remain active and unaffected, provided you:

• Maintain the same DNS/MX records
• Avoid changing email hosting providers mid-transfer

To ensure email stability:

• Confirm DNS settings remain identical before and during transfer
• Wait until the domain fully transfers before changing email providers (if needed)

An EPP code (also called Authorization code or Auth code) is a unique security code required to authorize domain transfers for most domains.

To get your EPP code:

• Log in to your current registrar’s dashboard
• Look for options like “Domain Management,” “Domain Transfer,” or “EPP/ Auth code”
• If not found, contact your registrar’s support team directly and request the code

No formal notice is needed. The transfer request initiates the process automatically.

However, you may need to:

• Unlock the domain via your current registrar’s control panel
• Request your EPP/Auth code from your current provider
• Respond to any confirmation emails from your current registrar promptly

Yes, Truehost allows bulk domain transfers easily.

Benefits of bulk transfers:

• Less administrative hassle
• Simplified billing and management
• Time savings (one request covers multiple domains)

Yes, common reasons include:

• Incorrect EPP/Auth codes provided
• Domain is locked or restricted by current registrar
• Domain is within 60-day registration or recent transfer period (ICANN policy for some domains)
• Admin contact failed to confirm the transfer request by email
• Domain expired or is in redemption status

If your transfer fails, contact your current registrar for clarification, then retry once issues are fixed.

For .ke domains, the transfer of the domain is immediate while for international domain extensions e.g .com, .net and .org, central registry requires at most 5 days to complete the transfer request.

What may take a few more minutes is the transfer of your files since this depends on other factors such as, how huge your files are. But typically, your files will be in your new hosting in an hour tops.

No. Once a transfer is in progress, you cannot:

• Edit contact details (WHOIS / RDAP)
• Change nameservers or DNS records
• Renew or delete the domain

Any changes must wait until after the transfer completes. Plan ahead: make all updates before initiating a transfer.

To transfer, you’ll need:

• An unlocked domain
• The correct authorization (EPP) code from your current registrar
• Valid admin contact email in WHOIS (transfer approval is sent here)
• At least 15 days remaining before domain expiry (for most gTLDs)

Having all these in place ensures a smooth, uninterrupted transfer.

• Run a WHOIS lookup (e.g. via whois.is or whois.icann.org).
• Check the “Registrar” field in the results.
• Visit that registrar’s website to log in or request your EPP code.

Yes. Limitations include:

• 60-day lock after new registrations or previous transfers (ICANN rule for gTLDs)
• Expiry status: expired or redemption‐period domains usually cannot be transferred
• Registry rules: certain ccTLDs require extra documentation or approvals
• Outstanding payments: unpaid renewal fees at your current registrar can block transfers

Always check your domain’s status and any registry‐specific rules before starting a transfer.