How to Transfer a Domain From GoDaddy to Porkbun

So, you want to learn how to transfer a domain from GoDaddy to Porkbun? Let’s do it!

Steps to Transfer a Domain From GoDaddy

1

Unlock your domain at GoDaddy. This guide shows you how.

2

Grab an authorization code (aka EPP key) from GoDaddy. This key is a one-use password that allows you to transfer a domain from GoDaddy to Porkbun. This guide shows you how to get your code. GoDaddy will email it to you within 24 hours at the email address listed under your "Administrator" contact.

3

Initiate your Porkbun domain transfer.

Type in your domain to be transferred under Domain Name, then copy the authorization code in your email from GoDaddy and paste it into the Auth Code field. Hit "Submit."

The transfer or transfers will be added to your cart. From Your Cart, click "Continue to Billing" to pay for your domain transfers. Once you’ve paid, Porkbun and GoDaddy will both send you emails asking you to confirm the transfer from GoDaddy. Find the Porkbun email and click the provided link to confirm the transfer. 

Don't Like Waiting? Peep How to Speed Up Domain Transfers!

Now that you’ve initiated the domain transfer from GoDaddy, it can take up to five business days to complete. Fortunately for you, GoDaddy usually doesn't make you wait five days.

Follow this guide to manually expedite the transfer. GoDaddy calls this "approving" the transfer.

You can check on the status of pending transfers by logging into your Porkbun account and clicking "Transfer" at the top of the page. 

Here's an article that tells you what the different statuses mean.

Warning: If your domain expired before the transfer was accepted, you no longer have the ability to expedite the transfer.

Possible Issues When Transferring a Domain

There are a few scenarios where you simply can't transfer a domain from GoDaddy to Porkbun… or anywhere else.

Was your domain first registered fewer than 60 days ago? If so, you’ll need to wait until the 60-day mark before transferring it to Porkbun. We feel your pain, but our hands are tied.

Was your domain transferred fewer than 60 days ago? Same deal as above. ICANN rules say a domain must stay at one registrar for 60 days before it can be transferred to another.

Did your domain expire recently, or is it about to expire? GoDaddy generally allows you 42 days from the day your domain expired to transfer it to another registrar, but the exact figure varies by domain extension. If it’s close, you may want to renew your domain with GoDaddy first before transferring it to Porkbun to prevent any interruption of service. Please note that domain transfers can take up to five days to complete. Please consult GoDaddy’s expired domain transfer policy or contact GoDaddy support for a definite answer about whether your expired domain will transfer in time.

Additionally, if you renew an expired domain at GoDaddy, then transfer the domain to Porkbun within 45 days, your registration may not be extended for an additional year. For more information, check out our guide "If I transfer a domain to Porkbun, will I lose any existing months or years of registration?"

Does your domain already have more than nine years of registration? Since domains can only ever have ten years registration max, sometimes the registry won't allow transfers that already have nine years of registration.