DomCopMissing a domain renewal deadline can be a stressful experience, especially when your website suddenly goes offline. You might find yourself in a frustrating situation: your site is down, and you want to move your domain to a better provider right away.
The good news is that expiration doesn’t always mean your domain is locked away forever. While the process is more time-sensitive than a standard transfer, it is entirely possible to move an expired domain if you act quickly.
This guide will explain how to transfer an expired domain in simple steps to help you make a smooth, successful transition.
What is an Expired Domain?
An expired domain is a web address whose registration has expired because the owner failed to pay the renewal fee. Think of it like a subscription that has run out. Once the expiration date passes, the domain doesn’t immediately disappear from the internet, but its status changes.
Your registrar will place the domain on Registrar Hold, which immediately takes your website and email offline. The domain is not lost, though. It is moved into a temporary safety window called the Grace Period. The domain is still yours during this period, but it is essentially paused and not actively functioning.
If you don’t take action during this window, the domain eventually moves into a “Redemption Period,” where it becomes much more expensive and difficult to reclaim before being deleted and released back to the public for anyone to buy. You can read more about the domain expiration process here.
Can I Transfer an Expired Domain?
The short answer is yes, but only if you act fast. Most people assume that once a domain expires, it is locked to the current registrar. However, according to ICANN (the organization that governs domain names), a registrar cannot deny a transfer request solely because the domain has expired.
That being said, there are three critical conditions you must meet to successfully transfer an expired domain:
- It Must Be in the Grace Period: You can only transfer an expired domain if it is still within the Renewal Grace Period (usually the first 18–45 days after expiration). Once it enters the Redemption Period, the domain is locked and cannot be moved until you pay a recovery fee to your current registrar.
- You need an Active Admin Email: To authorize the transfer, you must receive an EPP/Auth code via email. Most registrars block you from changing your contact info once a domain expires. If you no longer have access to the email address on file, you won’t be able to complete the transfer.
- It Must Not Be Subject to a 60-Day Lock: If you changed the registrant name, organization, or email address shortly before the domain expired, the domain might be under a standard 60-day “Change of Registrant” transfer lock.
The “45-Day Rule” Warning
If you decide to renew your domain with your current registrar first, just to make it active again, and then try to transfer it to a new provider within 45 days, you will likely lose that renewal fee. The registry may revoke the extra year, and you won’t get a refund.
How to Transfer an Expired Domain (Step-by-Step)
If your domain is still within the grace period and you have access to your administrative email, you can follow this professional workflow to move it. Time is of the essence here, so perform these steps in one sitting if possible.
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility
Before doing anything else, log into your current registrar’s control panel and check the domain’s status.
You are looking for a status like “Expired” or “Grace Period.” If you see “Redemption” or “Pending Delete,” the standard transfer process is no longer available. At that point, you must pay your current registrar a Redemption Fee (which is often $100+) just to make the domain transferable again.
Step 2: Unlock the Domain
Registrars apply a “Client Transfer Prohibited” lock to all domains to prevent theft. Even though your domain has expired, this lock remains active.
- Navigate to the Domain Settings or Security tab.
- Find the Registrar Lock toggle and set it to “Off” or “Unlocked.”
It may take up to an hour for this change to propagate through the global registry system.
Step 3: Disable WHOIS Privacy Protection
If you pay for services like Domain Privacy or Privacy Guard, you must turn them off.
Why? These services mask your identity with proxy information. To authorize a transfer, the new registrar must be able to verify that the person requesting the move is the actual owner. If privacy is active, the transfer request will often be automatically rejected.
Step 4: Request the Auth/EPP Code
The Authorization Code (also known as an EPP code) acts as a specialized password for your domain.
- Look for a link that says “Get Auth Code” or “Email EPP Code.”
- This code will be sent to the Administrative Email listed on your domain’s contact record.
Warning: If you cannot access this email, do not attempt to change it now. Changing contact info on an expired domain is often blocked, and if it is allowed, it may trigger a 60-day security lock that prevents any transfer (we’ll discuss this in detail below).
Step 5: Purchase the Transfer at the New Registrar
Go to the website of the registrar you are moving to. Search for their “Domain Transfer” tool.
- Enter your domain name.
- When prompted, paste the Auth/EPP code you received.
- Proceed to checkout. You will be required to pay for the transfer, which typically includes a one-year extension to your domain’s life.
Step 6: Confirm and Monitor the Transfer
After paying, keep a close eye on your inbox.
- You will receive a Form of Authorization (FOA) email. You must click the link inside to confirm you want to leave your old registrar.
- Once you approve, the process usually takes 5 to 7 days.
Some registrars (like GoDaddy) have an Implicit Decline policy where you can go into their “Transfers Out” section and manually click “Approve Transfer” to speed up the process from 5 days to 5 minutes.
Transferring Expired Domain: Exceptions and Common Pitfalls
While the standard transfer process is straightforward, certain scenarios can complicate or entirely block the transfer of an expired domain. Understanding these exceptions will help you avoid losing your domain or being hit with unexpected costs.
The Redemption Period Deadlock
The most common pitfall is waiting too long. Once the initial grace period ends, which can be as short as 18 days or as long as 45 depending on the registrar, the domain enters the Redemption Period.
At this stage, the registrar has technically returned the domain to the registry. You are no longer the owner, and the transfer process is completely disabled.
To move the domain now, you must first redeem it with your original registrar, which typically involves a fee ranging from $80 to $250. Only after the domain is restored to “Active” status can you begin a transfer.
Country Code Extension (ccTLD) Variables
The rules mentioned so far primarily apply to generic extensions like .com, .net, and .org. However, many country-specific extensions do not offer a grace period at all. For domains like .de (Germany), .fr (France), or .at (Austria), the domain may enter redemption or be flagged for deletion the moment it expires.
In some cases, renewal payments for these extensions are required 30 days before the actual expiration date. If you miss that window, the transfer option disappears instantly.
The 60-Day Contact Change Lock
As I told you above, one common mistake users make is trying to update an old email address right after the domain expires to receive the EPP code.
While this seems logical, ICANN allows registrars to impose a 60-day transfer lock following any “Material Change” to registrant information (name, organization, or email).
If you trigger this lock on an expired domain, you will be unable to transfer it to a new host before it falls into the redemption phase or is deleted entirely.
Invalid Administrative Email
If the administrative email address on your expired domain is one you can no longer access (for example, an old work email or a service that has been shut down), you are essentially stuck.
Because you cannot receive the EPP code or update the email without risking a 60-day lock, your only viable option is to first renew the domain with the current registrar.
Once the domain is active and the immediate threat of deletion is gone, you can update the contact info and wait out the subsequent lock period before moving.
Conclusion
Transferring an expired domain is a race against the clock. While ICANN policies protect your right to move a domain even after it has lapsed, your window of opportunity is limited to the initial Grace Period.
To avoid losing the domain, you really need to act fast, before it slips into the Redemption Period. Make sure your contact details stay unchanged, double-check that no security locks are triggered, and confirm you still have full access to the administrative email address.
If you follow the steps above, you can successfully transfer an expired domain to a new registrar, get your website and email back online, and quite possibly save money on renewal costs in the long run.
Transfer an Expired Domain FAQs
Can I transfer an expired domain if it is in the Redemption Period?
No. Once a domain enters Redemption, it is locked at the registry level and cannot be transferred to a new host. You must first pay a redemption fee to your current registrar to restore the domain to active status before you can initiate a move.
Will I lose my website files if I transfer an expired domain?
The transfer only moves the domain name registration, not your website files or databases. Since an expired domain usually has inactive hosting, you should ensure you have backups of your site content to upload to your new provider once the transfer is complete.
How long does it take to transfer an expired domain?
A standard transfer typically takes 5 to 7 days. However, if your current registrar supports “Manual Approval,” you can often speed this up by logging into your old account and explicitly approving the “Transfer Out” request immediately after initiating it.
Why did my transfer request get rejected?
Transfers are usually rejected because the domain is still “Locked,” WHOIS privacy is enabled, or the EPP code was entered incorrectly. Additionally, if the domain has moved past the grace period into redemption, the registry will automatically block any transfer attempts.
Can you transfer a domain during the grace period?
Yes. ICANN regulations state that a registrar cannot deny a transfer request simply because a domain has expired. As long as the domain is within its initial “Renew Grace Period” (typically the first 30 days after expiry), you can unlock it and move it to a new provider.
Can I transfer an expired domain to GoDaddy?
Yes, GoDaddy allows you to pull expired domains from other registrars, provided they are still in the grace period. You will need to obtain the EPP/Auth code from your current host. Ensure the domain is unlocked, and pay GoDaddy’s transfer fee, which usually includes a one-year renewal.
What to do if a domain is expired?
First, check your domain’s status to see if it is in the Grace Period or Redemption. If it’s in the Grace Period, you can either renew it immediately with your current registrar or initiate a transfer. If it has reached the Redemption Period, you must pay a recovery fee to your current registrar to save it.
What happens to my website if I don’t renew my domain name?
When a domain expires, your registrar typically replaces your DNS settings with a parked page. This causes your website to go offline and your professional email services to stop working. If left unrenewed for too long, the domain will eventually be deleted and made available for purchase by anyone else.