How to Transfer a Domain to Porkbun From Any Registrar

Looking to transfer a domain name to Porkbun from another registrar? You’ve come to the right place. Let’s do it!

Tip

We have specific guides for lots of different registrars such as GoDaddy and Namecheap. Check out our Knowledge Base to find your registrar, or keep following this guide for general instructions.

In this guide:

How to transfer your domain to Porkbun
(Optional) Set up your domain's DNS on Porkbun to avoid downtime
Domain transfer waiting period
Possible issues when transferring a domain
Do I lose domain registration time if I transfer my domain?

How to transfer your domain to Porkbun

Unlock your domain at your old registrar. Instructions vary by registrar, but typically you'll find the option to unlock your domain in the same place you manage other general settings for the domain.

Grab an authorization code (also known as an EPP code) from your old registrar. This key is a single-use password that allows you to transfer your domain to another registrar (Porkbun, in this case).

After getting the authorization code from your old registrar, initiate your domain transfer on Porkbun. You can find our Transfers page by going to porkbun.com/transfer or by clicking on the "TRANSFER" link at the top of any page on our site.

In the "Domain Name" field, enter your domain name (without "www" in front of it). In the "Auth Code" field, type or paste the authorization code given to you by your old registrar. Then, click on the "Submit" button.

Tip

You can also use the "Show Bulk Entry Form" button to submit multiple domain transfers at once.

You'll see a few additional options after clicking Submit. If you want to keep your contact info private and ensure your domains renew automatically, leave the first two boxes checked.

The third checkbox may or may not be checked already, depending on how your domain is currently configured. If checked, this option will allow you to set up your domain's DNS records and nameservers on Porkbun prior to transferring it. For more information, check out our guide on transferring domains to Porkbun with no DNS downtime.

Once you've made your selections, click on "Add Transfers to Cart".

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.

The transfer(s) will be added to your cart and you will be redirected there automatically. You'll see another checkbox allowing you to confirm whether you'd like to set your DNS up with Porkbun before transferring the domain. After confirming that everything looks correct, click on "Continue to Billing" to pay for the transfer.

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 "Domain transfer waiting period" 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.

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.

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, 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. Check out the next section for more info on tracking the status of your domain transfer.

Domain transfer waiting period

Now that you’ve initiated the domain transfer to Porkbun, it can take 5 to 7 business days to complete. Some registrars will expedite transfers out if you contact their support department once the transfer is in process, but not every registrar allows for this.

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.

Possible issues when transferring a domain

Now that you’ve learned how to transfer a domain, let’s talk about a few scenarios where you simply can't transfer a domain to Porkbun… or anywhere else, for that matter.

Did you first register your domain fewer than 60 days ago? If so, you’ll need to wait until the 60-day mark before you can transfer a domain to Porkbun. We feel your pain, but those are the rules.
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? Your old registrar has the right to prevent transfers of expired domains. Additionally, if you renew an already-expired domain at your old registrar, 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 paid for upfront? Since domains can only ever have a maximum of ten years registration at any given time, sometimes the registry won't allow domain transfers that already have nine years of registration. In this circumstance you will have to wait until the domain only has nine years of registration left, then you will be able to transfer it to another registrar.

Do I lose domain registration time if I transfer my domain?

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 in most cases the domain transfer will also add a year of registration time to your domain once the transfer is complete.

Note

There may be some exceptions to this, like in the case of .de domains which are billed monthly by the registry even though they're registered and renewed in year-long increments. Other ccTLD domains such as .uk have their own rules in place regarding transfers/renewals too.

That's about it! Feel free to contact our support team if you have any questions or concerns about transferring your domain to Porkbun. Welcome to the coolest registrar in town!