Expired Domain Transfer: How to Do It the Right Way

Wondering how can I transfer an expired domain name or if it’s possible in the first place. This article has all the answers to these questions and more.

Get ready to find out what conditions need to be met to move an expired domain and when the best time to initiate the move from one registrar to another is. 

Can I Transfer an Expired Domain to Another Registrar?

Yes. It’s sometimes possible to transfer a domain that is past its expiration date to a different registrar. In fact, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) says that a registrar can’t require a domain owner to pay a renewal fee before they can move an expired domain name. 

The owner of the domain name just needs to make sure the following conditions are met. 

• The domain has been unlocked
• The owner has the EPP or authorization code for the domain
• The domain is still within the registrar’s grace phase (30 days after the expiry date)
• The WHOIS privacy protection is disabled

How to Transfer Expired Domain Name to a New Registrar

To initiate the transfer process, you are recommended to follow these steps. 

1. Update the contact information. The owner will be contacted by the 

2. Unlock the expired domain. Do this by logging into the user account with the current registrar and selecting the domains that need to be unblocked.

3. Request and get the auth code for the domains by email. The code will be sent to the domain name's associate email address. 

4. Create a registrant account with the new registrar. Proceed to finding its domain transfer service page and enter the domain name and its extension. 

5. Enter the authorization code. Make sure it's the correct code to avoid starting over.

6. Authorize the domain transfer. The registrar will contact the domain owner to confirm the domain you wish to transfer.

7. Make the credit card payment for the transfer. The new provider may ask the registrant to pay for a year of service. 

8. Wait for the transfer process to complete. This can take a few days to a week. 

Common Issues During Domain Transfer and How to Resolve Them

Here are common reasons that can prevent the successful transfer of a domain. 

• The domain’s administrative contact email address is incorrect. Make sure to update it. 
• The domain is locked. Open it with the assistance of the current registrar.
• The domain isn’t yet 60 days past its valid registration or last transfer deadline.
• The domain is not accessible and is past the duration of renewal grace. Renew the domain and wait for 60 days before transferring. 

Handling Expired Domain Transfers: Rules and Procedures

Each registrar will have its own policy regarding the number of days to transfer domains. For example, a registrar may deny a transfer request made within 60 days from the previous transfer. However, a registrar typically allows owners to update nameservers or change the hosting address. 

GoDaddy, for one, has an 18-day customer grace term for most generic top-level domains (gTLDs). After this, the domain has joined the redemption period, and the registrar can deny that you obtain any transfer requests.

FAQ About Domain Name Transfers

Here are some FAQs about the domain transfer process to clarify any other issues a domain owner may have. 

Can you transfer an expired domain?

Yes, as long as it meets the following conditions.

• The domain can be unlocked.
• The owner has an auth-code.
• The domain is still in the reactivation grace period.
• Its privacy protection is disabled.

Can my registrar require me to pay for a renewal before I can transfer my expired domain?

No. The owner has the right to transfer even if the domain expires. However, if the registrar has already started to delete the domain, the owner needs to restore it first before requesting a transfer.

Can I transfer a domain in the grace period?

Yes. You can transfer your domain as long as it is within the grace period.