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.

How to Transfer Domains 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.

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 couple of additional options that give you control over WHOIS privacy and automatic renewal. If you want to keep your contact info private and ensure your domains renew automatically, leave these boxes blank. Click on "Add Transfers to Cart".

Warning

If you have an existing website, email service, or other DNS service set up on your domain, be aware that you might need to perform extra steps to ensure your site does not go down when the transfer completes. This guide explains more.

The transfer(s) will be added to your cart and you will be redirected there automatically. From the cart, click on "Continue to Billing" to pay for your transfers and complete the process. It's as easy as that!

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.

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

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. Other ccTLD domains such as .uk have their own rules in place regarding transfers/renewals too.

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!