ICANN, Domain registry, Domain registrar

ICANN(Internet Corporation for Assigned Names) is a top-level non-profit authority for managing domain names. ICANN oversees domain registration. Domain registry is an organization in charge of the general administration of a top level domain. They create domain name extensions, set the rules for that domain extension, and work with registrars to sell domain names to the public. For example, VeriSign manages the registration of .com, .net and .name domain names and Nominet manages .uk domains. Domain registry manages and maintains domain names and the registry leaves the task of commercial sales of domain names to domain registrars. A domain name registrar needs accreditation from ICANN and then we can sell the domain names to end users directly or through a reseller. To properly manage a domain name, it is advisable to purchase domains directly from ICANN accreditated registrars instead of resellers.

How to transfer a domain?

To transfer a domain name, you need to first place a domain transfer order and then:

• unlock the domain at the current registrar
• obtain the transfer auth code from the current registrar and submit it to the new registrar

Prior to 2019 before GDPR went into effect, the transfer process involved getting an approval email sent to the domain's admin contact email address and approving the transfer but this is no longer in use. You only need the domain to be unlocked and provide the correct auth code to transfer a domain.

NOTE: if your domain was registered or transferred within the last 60 days, it will be under a 60-day transfer lock and can only be transferred once the 60-day period has passed.

Once your domain is unlocked and the correct auth code is provided, the old registrar will receive the transfer request and the domain name will be set to 'pending transfer' status. Most registrars let the domain transfer complete automatically at the end of 5 days but you can also request them to release the domain right away. Under rare circumstances of abuse or payment disputes, the registrar may also refuse the transfer.

Will you lose the remaining time?

For generic TLDs such as .com, .biz, .net, .org etc, the remaining term that you have with your current registrar will get carried over. In addition to that, your domain will be renewed for one year as part of the transfer. Some country-specific domains such as .uk, .eu have different rules, contact support to find out more details.

NOTE: if your domain name (generic TLDs) expired with the current registrar for less than 30 days, you can still request them to unlock the domain name and provide the auth code to transfer it out. In the case of expiration, avoid renewing the domain name before the transfer. If the domain expired and you renewed it, transfer it out only after 45 days of the expiration otherwise you will not get the 1-year extension.

How to avoid downtime during domain transfers?

It is the domain's name server change that causes downtime in a transfer. The best way is to first transfer the DNS to the new provider before supplying the auth code. For more details, you may refer to another tutorial of ours - How to transfer your domain name with minimal downtime?.