Domain Transfer Policy

1. Scope

This policy applies to transfers between registrars (inter-registrar transfers) and to changes of the registrant of a domain in a NameBest account. For generic top level domains it follows the ICANN Transfer Policy. Country code domains follow the rules of their registries, which can differ, as described in section 9. This policy is part of our registration agreement.

2. Transferring a domain to NameBest

• Step 1. At your current registrar, unlock the domain, check that the registrant email address is current because approval emails go there, and get the EPP authorization code.
• Step 2. Enter the domain on our domain transfer page and add it to the cart. The transfer price is shown live before you pay.
• Step 3. Enter the EPP code and complete checkout. The transfer request is sent to the registry.
• Step 4. Your current registrar may send you an email to confirm or cancel the transfer. If you do nothing, most transfers complete automatically within 5 days.

A transfer in adds one year to the current expiry date of the domain, at the price shown at checkout, except where the registry does not add a year (some country code extensions) or where the domain is in the grace period after expiry, in which case the registry may not credit the extra year. Your DNS records are not moved automatically unless the domain uses nameservers that stay the same; read how to transfer a domain without downtime before you start. You can follow the progress in the dashboard, as explained in domain transfer status.

3. Transferring a domain away from NameBest

You can transfer a domain away at any time outside the lock periods below. Switch the transfer lock off in the dashboard and copy the EPP code shown there. We do not charge for leaving and we do not ask you why. When the gaining registrar submits the request, we send a notice to the registrant email address. You can approve it at once to speed things up, or reject it if you did not ask for it. If you do neither, the transfer completes automatically after 5 days. Our guide on how to get an EPP code shows each step.

After the transfer completes, the domain leaves your NameBest account. Any paid time left on the registration moves with the domain.

4. Form of Authorization

Under the ICANN Transfer Policy the transfer must be authorized by the registrant or the administrative contact. For transfers in, we send a Form of Authorization by email where it is required. The email describes the transfer and contains a secure link to approve it. For transfers out, the losing registrar sends a confirmation notice by email to the registrant. Keep the registrant email current so these messages reach you. The EPP code itself is also proof of authority, so never share it with anyone except the registrar you are moving to.

5. The 60 day lock

A domain cannot be transferred to another registrar:

• within 60 days of its initial registration;
• within 60 days of a previous transfer between registrars;
• within 60 days of a change of registrant, unless you opted out of that lock when you made the change, where the registry and the sponsoring registrar allow it.

When you change the registrant name, organization or email address in the dashboard, we ask both the previous and the new registrant to confirm the change by email. At that step you can choose to opt out of the 60 day lock on change of registrant. If you opt out, the domain can be transferred right after the change, so opt out only if you plan to move the domain. Read more in our guide on the 60 day transfer lock.

6. When a transfer can be denied

A transfer out can be denied only for reasons that the ICANN Transfer Policy allows, including:

• evidence of fraud, or a reasonable dispute over the identity of the person requesting the transfer;
• a pending UDRP or URS proceeding, a court order, or a registry dispute proceeding involving the domain, see our UDRP page;
• a request during the 60 day lock periods in section 5;
• the domain is subject to a lock that the registrant has set and has not removed;
• non-payment for a previous or current registration period, including payment disputes or chargebacks;
• an express written objection to the transfer from the registrant.

If we deny a transfer, we tell you the reason. A transfer in can also fail if the EPP code is wrong, the domain is locked at the current registrar, the domain is in a lock period, or the domain is in redemption. If a transfer in fails, you can retry with corrected details or ask for a refund of the transfer fee, see our domain refund policy.

7. Timing

Most transfers between registrars finish within 5 days of the request. Approving the transfer email can make it faster. Some country code registries complete transfers within minutes, and some take longer. Transfers do not stop the domain from working if the nameservers stay the same during the move.

8. Fees

A completed transfer in is not refundable, because the extra year is recorded at the registry. A transfer in that fails or is cancelled is refunded in full.

9. Country code extensions

Country code extensions such as .io, .co, .ai, .me and .us have their own transfer rules. Some do not add a year on transfer, some use a different approval process, some do not apply the 60 day lock, and some require the registrant to meet eligibility rules again. The dashboard and the transfer page show these differences for each extension before you pay.

10. Contact

If you think a domain was transferred without your consent, contact us at once at [email protected]. Under the ICANN Transfer Policy, a registrar can ask to reverse an unauthorized transfer. Other questions about transfers can go to the same address or through our contact page.