Why was my domain transfer rejected

You started a transfer and it bounced back. Transfer rejections almost always come down to a specific, fixable reason. Here's the full list and what to do about each.

Timing locks

• Within 60 days of registration - a domain can't transfer in its first 60 days. Wait out the window, then try again.
• Within 60 days of a registrant change - changing the registrant name, organization, or email triggers a mandatory 60-day lock. This is the one people forget after updating their contact details. Wait 60 days from the change.
• Within 60 days of a previous transfer - if the domain moved registrars recently, it has to settle for 60 days first.

More on all three in Domain locks explained.

Status and settings

• Domain is locked - the registrar lock is still on at the losing registrar. Turn it off in their control panel. See Unlocking a domain for transfer.
• Privacy still enabled - some registrars won't release a domain while WHOIS privacy hides the contact email the transfer needs. If the transfer stalls, turn privacy off at the losing registrar for the duration of the move, then turn it back on afterward.
• Expired or about to expire - a domain within 14 days of expiry, or already expired, usually can't transfer. Renew it at the current registrar first, then transfer.

Contact and payment problems

• Unreachable registrant email - the transfer approval goes to the registrant email on file. If it's stale, you never get the message and the transfer times out. Update the contact email at the losing registrar before you start.
• Non-payment for a past period - an outstanding balance owed on the domain can block its release. Clear it with the current registrar first. A registrar may not, however, withhold the unlock or auth code over a disputed charge - that's a policy violation.

Registrar-specific quirks

• GoDaddy's 120-day lock on bundled domains - a domain that came free with a GoDaddy product can be locked for 120 days, not 60. That's GoDaddy's own rule, not ICANN's, and it catches a lot of people moving away.
• .uk has no auth code - .uk domains don't use an authorization code at all. They move by changing the IPS tag to the gaining registrar's tag. Set the tag at your current registrar and the transfer follows.

Still stuck?

If none of these fit, open a ticket with our team and quote the exact rejection message. It usually names the reason, and we can tell you the fix. See also Transferring a domain to Flashcloud.