Do I Lose Domain Registration Time If I Transfer Domains?

One of the most common questions we get from registrants (that’s you) is, “do I lose domain registration time if I transfer domains?”

Nope! You won't lose any existing months/years of registration, and we add a year to your registration at the moment of transfer (in most cases).

For example, let's say you have a domain that is currently set to expire on September 21, 2029. You can transfer that domain to Porkbun at any time, and after transferring the domain it will have a new expiration date of September 21, 2030.

Even though your existing registration should always transfer in, there is one scenario where your domain registration time won't be extended by an additional year. If all of the following happens, your domain registration time won't be extended:

1. Your domain expires at your old registrar.  
2. You renew it at your old registrar.
3. You wait fewer than 45 days from the day it expired or fewer than five from the day you renewed it.
4. You transfer your domain to Porkbun (or any other registrar)

Due to arcane industry billing practices, your old registrar gets a refund from the registry. Our industry regulator considers the additional year you paid for at your old registrar "canceled."  Porkbun adds an additional year of registration, however, since the year you paid for at your old registrar has been canceled, no net registration is added.

This is known as "transferring a domain during the Auto-Renew Grace Period” in industry jargon.

Your old registrar may be willing to pass the refund they receive from the registry on to you. We always recommend contacting your old registrar to ask for a refund in this scenario. Depending on their policies, they may or may not provide one.

If you transferred a domain away from Porkbun in the above scenario, please email support@porkbun.com to ask about a refund.

We know this is an industry practice so odd that it may seem as if we're making it up, but it’s true! Communicating with your old registrar is always the best course of action.