- Moving a domain to a new registrar requires a specific code most owners have never heard of until they need it.
- Here is what it is, and how to transfer safely.
An EPP code (also called an authorization code or transfer code) is a unique password-like string required to move a domain from one registrar to another — a security measure ensuring only the legitimate domain owner can authorize a transfer.
What the EPP Code Actually Is
A registrar-generated code, unique to your specific domain, proving you have legitimate access to the account controlling it. Without it, a transfer request cannot proceed — even someone with the domain's login credentials generally cannot complete a transfer without this additional code.
How to Obtain It
- Log into your current registrar's account.
- Locate the domain's management settings, usually under "Transfer" or "Authorization Code."
- Request or generate the code — some registrars display it instantly, others email it for additional security verification.
- First disable transfer lock, if enabled, as it will block the code request or the eventual transfer itself.
The Complete Transfer Process
- Confirm the domain is unlocked and eligible for transfer (some registrars restrict transfers within 60 days of initial registration or a previous transfer).
- Obtain the EPP code from your current registrar.
- Initiate the transfer at the new registrar, entering the domain name and EPP code.
- Approve the transfer confirmation email, typically sent to the registrant's email on file.
- Wait for the transfer to complete — typically 5-7 days, standard across the industry to allow a window for the original owner to cancel if unauthorized.
A Practical Pre-Transfer Checklist
Before requesting the code, take five minutes to avoid the most common self-inflicted delays: confirm the registrant email on file is one you actually check (transfer confirmations expire if unread), screenshot or note your current DNS records so you can recreate them at the new registrar if they are not carried over automatically, and confirm the domain is not within 60 days of a prior registration or transfer, since the request will simply be refused during that window regardless of how correctly everything else is done.
Common Transfer Problems
- Transfer lock still enabled, blocking the code request or transfer entirely.
- An outdated registrant email address, meaning the confirmation email never reaches the actual owner.
- Attempting a transfer within 60 days of registration or a previous transfer, which most registries restrict by policy.
- An expired EPP code, requiring a fresh one to be generated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my domain go offline during a transfer?
No — a properly executed transfer does not affect DNS or email during the process; the website and email continue functioning normally throughout.
Is the EPP code the same as my registrar account password?
No — they are entirely separate. The EPP code is domain-specific and generated separately from your general account login credentials.
Can a transfer be cancelled once started?
Yes — the confirmation email step exists specifically so the registrant can decline an unauthorized or accidental transfer request before it completes.
Planning to transfer a domain? See our domain services or ask our team for transfer assistance.
What Happens if the Transfer Confirmation Email Is Missed
Most registrars give a fixed window, often 5-7 days, for the registrant to respond to the transfer confirmation email before the request automatically expires. If the email is missed entirely (a common outcome when the registrant address on file is outdated), the transfer simply lapses rather than completing by default — a safety behavior, not a bug, since a transfer proceeding silently without explicit confirmation would defeat the entire purpose of the confirmation step. Restarting the process with a fresh EPP code is the standard fix.
