After you buy a domain, it has to move from the seller's control to yours. There are two ways that happens: a push within the same registrar, or a transfer between registrars. Here's how each works, how long it takes and what can go wrong.
Option 1: Push (same registrar)
If you and the seller use the same registrar, the seller can "push" the domain straight into your account. You'll need to give them your account username or customer ID. Pushes often complete within minutes to a day, and there's no transfer fee.
Option 2: Registrar transfer (different registrars)
- Seller unlocks the domain at their registrar.
- Seller sends you the authorization code (also called an EPP or auth code).
- You start the transfer at your registrar and enter the code. For most generic domains like .com, the transfer adds a year to the registration and you pay the renewal fee.
- Approve the transfer by email if asked.
- Wait for completion. Transfers commonly take up to about a week, faster if the losing registrar approves early.
Transfer locks to know about
- Registrar lock: a setting the seller must switch off before a transfer.
- Post-registration and post-transfer lock: a domain that was recently registered or transferred is usually blocked from moving to another registrar for a period (commonly 60 days). A push within the same registrar, or a change of registrant, can work around it.
- Change-of-registrant lock: some registrars apply a lock after contact details change. Sellers can often opt out.
Where escrow fits in
In a private sale, the buyer funds a licensed escrow service such as Escrow.com first. The seller then pushes or transfers the domain. Escrow releases payment only after the buyer confirms the domain is in their account.
Checklist before you release payment
- The domain appears in your registrar account
- The registrant contact details are yours
- You can change nameservers and DNS
- Registrar lock and auto-renew are set the way you want
- The expiry date is correct
For the full buying process, read how to buy a domain from someone safely.