Why Can’t I Transfer My Domain? The 60-Day Lock Explained

· Transfers · Policy

Quick answer

Why can’t I transfer my domain?

ICANN’s Transfer Policy allows a registrar to deny a transfer requested within 60 days of the domain’s creation date, and a 60-day lock also applies after a registrar transfer and after a change of registrant. Other common blockers are an active transfer lock, an unverified registrant email and an outstanding balance. Unlock the name, obtain the authorisation code and confirm the dates before starting.

The 60-day rules, as written

ICANN’s Transfer Policy lists, among the specific instances in which a registrar of record may deny a transfer, a request made within 60 days of the creation date shown in the registry record. The same policy section refers to the first 60 days after a registrar transfer and the 60-day lock following a Change of Registrant.

ICANN published an updated version of the Transfer Policy in February 2024 with a phased implementation timeline, so always read the current policy and your registrar’s notice rather than relying on a third-party summary of the dates.

Other reasons a transfer stalls

The date rules are only one category. Most failed transfers come from account-side settings that you can fix yourself in a few minutes.

  • The domain is locked (clientTransferProhibited). Registrars must give you a reasonable way to unlock it.
  • The authorisation / EPP code is wrong, expired or was never requested.
  • The registrant contact email is not verified, so the approval message never arrives.
  • The registration is expired, unpaid, or within 60 days of a registrant-data change.
  • There is an active dispute or a court/order restriction on the name.

A pre-flight checklist

Do this before you pay the new registrar. A transfer normally extends the expiry by one year, so the fee is not wasted — but a failed transfer costs time.

  • Check the creation date and the date of the last transfer or registrant change.
  • Unlock the domain at the current registrar and request the authorisation code.
  • Make sure the registrant email is one you control and can receive mail at.
  • Confirm the new registrar supports that TLD and disclose any currency or tax differences.
  • Start the transfer well before expiry, not in the final week.

Frequently asked questions

Can my registrar refuse to let me transfer out at all?

ICANN’s Transfer Policy limits the specific instances in which a transfer can be denied, and requires registrars to give holders a reasonable opportunity to unlock a domain. A blanket refusal is not the same thing as a documented policy ground.

Does changing my contact details start a new 60-day lock?

ICANN’s policy includes a 60-day lock following a Change of Registrant. Details such as which fields trigger it and any opt-out are defined in the current policy and your registrar’s implementation, so check before editing registrant data if you plan to transfer soon.

Will I lose the remaining time I already paid for?

A standard registrar transfer usually extends the expiry by one year rather than discarding the remaining term, but confirm the exact rule with both registrars for your TLD.

Sources

Primary sources for the claims above.