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!

How to Transfer Domains to Porkbun

Unlock your domain at your old registrar.
Grab an authorization code (aka EPP key) from your old registrar. This key is a one-use password that allows you to transfer your domain to another registrar. In this case, Porkbun.
Initiate your Porkbun domain transfer.

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

The transfer(s) will be added to your cart. From Your Cart, click "Continue to Billing" to pay for your transfers. It’s as easy as that!

Domain Transfer Waiting Period

Now that you’ve initiated the domain transfer to Porkbun, it can take up to five business days to complete. Some registrars will expedite transfers out if you contact their support department once the transfer is in process… but not all.

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

(Check out our article that tells you what each different domain transfer status means.)

Potential Domain Transfer Issues

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? Since domains can only ever have a max of ten years registration at any given time, sometimes the registry won't allow domain transfers that already have nine years of registration.

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 we add a year to your registration at the moment of transfer.*

Please 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. Porkbun essentially agrees to pay the registry for a year's worth of domain registration time. Still, on a technical level, .de domains can never have more than a month of registration.