How to Transfer a Domain From GoDaddy to Porkbun

So, you want to learn how to transfer a domain from GoDaddy to Porkbun? The process can seem daunting, but we're here to help. Let’s do it!

Steps to transfer a domain from GoDaddy

1
Log in to your GoDaddy account and unlock your domain. This guide from their website will show you how.

Note

If you have a paid "Domain Protection" plan from GoDaddy, that will need to be downgraded before you can transfer your domain to Porkbun. Follow GoDaddy's guide to downgrade your plan if needed.

2
Grab an authorization code (also known as an EPP code) from GoDaddy. This code is a single-use password that allows you to transfer your domain to another registrar. You can review GoDaddy's guide for more details on how to retrieve your authorization code.
3
After getting the authorization code from GoDaddy, initiate your domain transfer on Porkbun. You can find the Transfers page by clicking on "TRANSFER" at the top of any page on Porkbun.
In the "Domain Name" field, enter your domain name (without "www" in front of it). In the "Auth Code" field, type or copy/paste the authorization code given to you by GoDaddy. Then, click on the "Submit" button.
4
After submitting, you'll see a few additional options on the same page. The first two options will enable WHOIS privacy and automatic renewal on the domains after they transfer to Porkbun.
The third option will allow you to set up your domain's DNS records on Porkbun prior to transferring it. If you have any services attached to the domain such as website hosting or email hosting, you may need to keep this box checked and follow some additional steps to keep everything working after the transfer.
After you've made your selections, click on "Add Transfers to Cart" to continue.

Note

If you're just transferring the domain name itself and you don't have any other services attached to it such as email hosting or web hosting, you can leave the third box unchecked. If you are concerned about avoiding interruptions after your domain transfers, we highly recommend reviewing our guide on transferring domains with no downtime.

5
The transfer(s) will be added to your cart and you will be redirected to that page automatically.
You'll see a checkbox that confirms whether or not you want to set up your domain's DNS prior to transferring it to Porkbun. If everything looks correct, click on "Continue to Billing" to pay for your transfers.

Congratulations on getting the transfer started! If you selected the option to set up your domain's DNS on Porkbun prior to the transfer, follow the next section to finish the process. If you aren't setting up the DNS with Porkbun, skip to the "Speeding up transfers from GoDaddy" section instead.

(Optional) Set up your domain's DNS on Porkbun to avoid downtime

If you selected the option to set up your DNS on Porkbun prior to the transfer, keep reading through this section. If you aren't setting up the DNS with Porkbun, skip to the next section.

1
After checkout, you'll be taken to a page showing that the order was successful, and you should see a section with more information about setting your DNS up on Porkbun prior to the transfer. Click on "Set Up DNS Now" to continue.
2
Next, you'll see instructions showing how to set up your DNS records and nameservers prior to actually transferring your domain. We can scan for your current DNS records automatically, or you can copy your DNS records over yourself, either by uploading a DNS zone file, or recreating the DNS records manually on Porkbun.
For more information about recreating your DNS zone on Porkbun, refer to our guide on transferring domains with no DNS downtime.
After you've recreated your DNS zone on Porkbun and changed to our nameservers (by following the guide linked above), click on "Start the transfer" at the bottom of the page.

Congratulations! You've started transferring your domain to Porkbun and you've set up the DNS with us to avoid anything going offline after the transfer. You can let the transfer complete on by itself, or you can read the next section for info on how to speed that process up.

How to speed up pending domain transfers from GoDaddy

Now that you’ve initiated the domain transfer from GoDaddy, it can take 5 to 7 days to complete. Fortunately for you, GoDaddy usually doesn't make you wait that long!

Follow this guide from GoDaddy's site to "approve" the transfer, which will expedite the process and finish transferring the domain within 30 minutes or so.

You can check on the status of pending transfers by logging into your Porkbun account and clicking "Transfer" in the navigation bar at the top of the page. Check out our guide for more information on what specific transfer statuses mean.

Note

If your domain expired at GoDaddy before the transfer was approved, they may not allow you to approve the transfer, meaning you'll need to wait the full 5-7 days. You can always ask GoDaddy's support team to clarify this for your particular domain.

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 ~30 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 "Do I Lose Domain Registration Time If I Transfer Domains?".
  • 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.

We're so glad you chose to move your domain to Porkbun! Please feel free to get in touch with our support team if you run into any issues transferring your domain from GoDaddy to Porkbun.

Did this answer your question? Thanks for the feedback There was a problem submitting your feedback. Please try again later.