Domain transfer fee and time: what to expect

Why a transfer fee is usually one year of renewal

On most gTLDs (.com, .net, .org), the domain transfer fee is not a separate service charge. It is a renewal. Under ICANN's Transfer Policy, a completed transfer that the domain holder approved adds one year to the registration. The total time left can never go over ten years.

So when a registrar quotes a domain transfer cost, you are normally buying one more year with the new company. You keep your current expiry date, and the new year is added on top. Each registrar sets its own retail price, so the figure changes from one company to the next.

To see what a renewal costs before you start, read our guide “What a domain costs to renew, and why year two can cost more”. For the .com wholesale fee that sits under those prices, see the .com page.

How long a domain transfer takes

Expect about five to seven days for a gTLD transfer. The timing comes from ICANN's rules. Once the registry tells the old registrar about the request, that registrar has five calendar days to reply. If it does nothing, the transfer counts as approved, and the registry completes it at the end of that window.

It can go faster. Some old registrars let you approve the move by email or in their control panel, and then it can finish in a day or two. That depends on the registrar.

You avoid most delays by getting ready first. Unlock the domain, get the code, and make sure the owner email works. Our full guide is at our guide “How to transfer a .com domain to another registrar”.

ICANN has been reviewing its transfer rules, so some of these timings may change when a new version takes effect. The rules described here were the ones in force in October 2026.

Domain transfer process, step by step

A gTLD transfer follows the same basic steps everywhere. Only the buttons and screen names differ by registrar.

• Check the domain's age and history. The old registrar may refuse a move in the first 60 days after registration. Our checker at the transfer page can help.
• Ask your current registrar to unlock the domain.
• Get the authorization code (also called the auth code or EPP code). See our guide “What is a domain auth code (EPP code)?”.
• Order the transfer at the new registrar and enter the code.
• If a confirmation email reaches the owner address, approve it.
• Wait for the transfer to finish, then check that your DNS settings are still correct.

Domain transfer lock meaning and the 60-day rule

The domain transfer lock is a status on the domain that stops it being moved by mistake or by a thief. Most registrars show it as a lock you can turn off in your control panel.

There are also two 60-day rules. A registrar may refuse a transfer asked for within 60 days of the domain being created. A registrar must also add a 60-day transfer lock after a change of registrant, unless the owner chose to opt out before making that change. So if you just registered a name, or just changed the owner details, you may need to wait.

The auth code is only used to identify the domain holder. If your registrar has no self-service option, it must give you the code within five calendar days of your request. It cannot hold the code back only because of a payment dispute. More on this is at our guide “Why you cannot transfer a new domain for 60 days”.

What stays the same after a gTLD transfer

Changing registrars does not change who owns the name. Your owner details stay the same, your expiry date moves forward by the added year, and your website does not need to change.

DNS is the part to watch. If your name servers use the old registrar's DNS, your site or email may stop working when you leave. Write down your records first. You can look them up with the DNS checker and the WHOIS lookup before and after the move.

A transfer does not get you a new domain. It only changes which company manages the registration. To understand registries, registrars and resellers, see our guide “Registry, registrar and reseller: who owns your domain?”.

Transferring a .pk domain: PKNIC paperwork

A .pk transfer has no auth-code step in the usual case. PKNIC's change-registrar page asks for original papers sent by post, and it does not accept scans. An individual sends a signed affidavit on Rs 100 stamp paper, attested by an oath commissioner, with a clear copy of the owner's CNIC. A company sends a signed, stamped letter on its letterhead from a CEO, Director or similar head, with a CNIC copy of the person signing. The papers must name both the current and the new account IDs.

The domain must not be expired. PKNIC checks the papers by phone, and says the move then takes about 3 to 4 business days. Its page lists no transfer fee, so confirm any charge with PKNIC. PKNIC's yearly registration fee is Rs 2,100 for Pakistan-based registrants from 1 August 2026, billed two years at a time.

Our walk-through is at our guide “.pk domain transfer, step by step”. To learn who PKNIC is, read our guide “What is PKNIC? How the .pk registry works”.

Hidden costs to watch

Most surprises come from the small print, not the headline fee. Look out for these.

• A low first-year price followed by a higher renewal. Compare with our guide “What a domain costs to renew, and why year two can cost more”.
• Paid DNS, email or privacy extras at the old registrar that you lose when you leave.
• A domain that expires in the middle of a transfer. Renew first if the date is close, and see our guide “What happens when a .pk domain expires?” for .pk names.
• Currency conversion and card or bank charges when the new registrar bills in dollars.
• Stamp paper, attestation and courier costs for .pk papers.
• Scam sites that ask for your auth code before you have ordered anything. Read our guide “Common domain scams in Pakistan and how to avoid them”.

Common questions