Transfer

• How do I setup my domain’s DNS settings before transferring it to Dynadot?

  Thanks for choosing Dynadot! You can specify new or default DNS and NS settings for domains that are being transferred into Dynadot directly from your shopping cart, by following these steps: Follow the steps here to add your domain transfer to your shopping cart. Once the transfer has been added to your cart, click on the server icon, located to the right of the contact book icon. From here, you can choose to either setup DNS settings, name servers, or your default DNS/NS settings. Depending on your choice, you can find the steps below: Keep Name Servers from previous registrar's servers: You can decide to keep the name servers that were set up for your domain before the transfer. Use Name Servers from accounts Domain Defaults: You can use Name Servers that were set as your default Name Servers. Enter New Name Servers: There are two ways to set name servers: If you're adding new name servers or existing name servers, select "Enter new or existing Name Servers" from your list of choices and enter your new name servers in the provided fields. You can also choose to use your Name Server template. To do so, select "Select from your Name Servers", and choose the template that you would like to use. You can set up your templates here. Enter New DNS Settings Choose the "Record Type" you want to use from the drop-down menu, then enter the IP Address or Target Host of your web server in the text box. You can also specify subdomain records in the "Subdomain Records (optional)" section the same way you do to the "Domain Record (optional)". NOTE: If you have been instructed to add an "@", this simply means that the record should be entered under the "Domain Record (optional)" section. Do not enter the '@' symbol itself. There are certain steps for each record type as well, the most common are: A record: https://www.dynadot.com/community/help/question/create-A-record CNAME: https://www.dynadot.com/community/help/question/create-CNAME MX record: https://www.dynadot.com/community/help/question/MX-DNS TXT Record: https://www.dynadot.com/community/help/question/create-TXT-record DKIM: https://www.dynadot.com/community/help/question/enter-DKIM SPF: https://www.dynadot.com/community/help/question/SPF-records Please be aware that it might take some time for your name server changes to propagate.

• What does it mean when a domain is in "Registrar Lock" status?

  A domain in "Registrar Lock" status means the registrar for that domain has locked the domain to prevent any unauthorized domain transfers as well as any changes made to that domain's settings. Usually, the actual registrant has a setting in their account that allows them to lock or unlock their domain at will (this is the case with Dynadot accounts).A domain can also be in registrar lock mode if the domain has already expired. At this point, usually the domain cannot be transferred to another domain registrar, and you will need to renew the domain with the current domain registrar.

• Where can I find the auth code for my domain?

  The authorization code or EPP code of your domain is needed in order to transfer the domain to another registrar. To find the auth code for your domain, please follow these steps: Sign in to your Dynadot account. Select "My Domains" from the left-side menu bar and click "Manage Domains" in the drop-down. Click on the domain name you want to transfer (it should be a link). Scroll down to the "Authorization Code" section. If your domain is transfer locked, press "Unlock Account" to unlock your account first. Once your account is unlocked, press the "Unlock" button to unlock your domain. The auth code which is a unique string of random letters and numbers will now be displayed in the "Authorization Code" section. You can also press the "New Code" button to generate a new authorization code. NOTE: Your domain needs to remain unlocked during the transfer process; however, we recommend locking your account to ensure its security. Our system will automatically re-lock it within 1 hour for you, but it's always a good idea to re-lock it as soon as you don't need it to be unlocked.

• My transfer was successful, but why wasn't a year added to my domain?

  There are three potential reasons why a domain name may not have a year added after a transfer: Certain top-level domains (TLDs) do not add a year when they are transferred to another registrar. These domains include (but may not be limited to) .UK, .LT, .AI, .NL, .LV, .CH, .LI and .AT. For .UK and .LT, there's no cost to transfer to Dynadot as they both are pushed to us by your current registrar with no additional year added. .NL, however, can be transferred to us normally, but doesn't have a year added initially because it is limited to a maximum of 1 year of registration by the registry. The price you pay to transfer goes towards an automatic renewal that our system will complete for you closer to the expiration date of your domain. For .AT, .CH, and .LV, domain transfers do not extend the domain registration period as they do not include a renewal upon transfer. Domains that are already at or very close to their maximum registration time (this can be up to 10 years depending on the TLD), will not have a year added during a transfer as that would increase the total registration period past the maximum amount of time. You can see what the maximum registration time for a domain is by going to the domain's page and looking at how many years of pricing are listed on its "Domain Pricing" table (you can click on the domain from our TLD list); for example, .IM only lists three years of pricing because that is its maximum. The domain was renewed after it expired (during its renewal grace period) and then transferred within 45 days of the renewal. Technically, this is called an "auto-renewal". If a domain is auto-renewed and then transferred within 45 days after the renewal, then the domain will not be renewed for an additional year after the transfer. This does not make sense because it seems like your domain should get two years: one for the renewal and one more for the transfer. However, this is the operational procedure of the central registry. This is not our policy, we do not get reimbursed by the Registry and gain nothing from only giving you one year. In fact, we have to deal with all the customers upset with this counter-intuitive policy of the central registry. Here is what ICANN has to say about this situation: "Registrants who transfer names within the 45-day Auto-Renew Grace Period should check with the registrar from which they are transferring regarding a possible refund. Even though losing registrars receive refunds of auto-renewal fees they have paid to the registry in these circumstances, not all registrars make refunds to customers. The effect of failure of the losing registrar to refund is that the registrant pays registration fees to both the losing registrar (for the auto-renew) and to the gaining registrar (for the transfer), but only receives a one-year extension of term." (Full text can be found here: http://www.icann.org/announcements/advisory-06jun02.htm) To avoid this unpleasant situation completely, please start your domain transfers at least 2 weeks before the expiration date.

• What is a domain transfer?

  A domain transfer is a process in which a domain is moved from one domain registrar to another registrar. There are many reasons why owners of a domain may choose to transfer their domain to another registrar: price, quality of customer service, and ease of use (just to name a few).NOTE: If you are looking to move your domain from one Dynadot account to another, this is called a change ownership request, not a domain transfer. Change ownership requests are free and can be done from within your Dynadot account.For more info about domain transfers, check out the following help files: What are the steps involved in the domain transfer process? How do I transfer my domain to Dynadot? What is an authorization code? You can get even more info by visiting the domain transfers section of our help files. What is a domain registration? What is a domain renewal?

• Why can't I transfer my domain?

  There are several reasons why you may not be able to transfer your domain: The domain is in "Registrar Lock" status. Registrar lock helps ensure that your domain is not transferred away by someone else. Please unlock your domain before attempting to continue the domain transfer. If you're transferring to Dynadot, you'll need to contact your current registrar to learn how to unlock your domain. You have not provided the authorization code for the domain. The authorization code, like the registrar lock, helps to keep your domain safe from being transferred out by someone else. With our bulk transfers, the auth codes are not initially required (though it's recommended to include them). In this case, you will receive an email from us letting you know where to enter them, so the transfer process can begin. If you are transferring to Dynadot, you will need to contact your current registrar to get your auth codes. The email address listed in the Whois directory is not valid. The transfer authorization email will be send to the Whois email address, so you need to be able to access that email. You will need to update your Whois email address before you can complete the authorization and continue the process. The transfer has not been authorized yet. Again, keep an eye out for that transfer authorization email sent to your Whois email. The domain expired before the transfer was initiated. Domain transfers do not officially "start" until the transfer has been authorized. Therefore, if your domain expires before the domain transfer has been initiated, there is a possibility that your domain transfer will be denied even if you submit a domain transfer order before the expiration date. The domain was newly registered. Newly registered domains cannot be transferred to a new domain registrar until after their first 60 days of registration per ICANN's policy. The domain was just transferred to your current registrar. Newly transferred domains cannot be transferred to another domain registrar until 60 days after the original transfer date, also per ICANN's policy. The domain is not eligible to be transfered after it is listed for user auction. You can cancel the user auction listing and transfer the domain away before a bid was received. Please give yourself ample time (2-3 weeks) when you submit your domain transfer order so that your domain does not expire while we are attempting to authorize the transfer.Learn more about the steps involved in the domain transfer process

• How do I generate a new auth code for my domain?

  In most cases, you shouldn't need to generate a new authorization code for your domain just to transfer it. However, sometimes if there is an issue with your transfer, generating a new auth code can help solve the issue. Sign in to your Dynadot account. Select "My Domains" from the left-side menu bar and click "Manage Domains" in the drop-down. Click on the domain name you want to transfer (it should be a link). Scroll down to the "Authorization Code" section. If your domain is transfer locked, press "Unlock Account" to unlock your account first. Once your account is unlocked, press the "Unlock" button to unlock your domain. The auth code which is a unique string of random letters and numbers will now be displayed in the "Authorization Code" section. Press the "New Code" button to generate a new authorization code. NOTE: If you are in the middle of a transfer, you will need to update your pending transfer with the new authorization code.

• How do I complete my domain transfer to Dynadot if my domain is locked?

  If your domain is locked, your domain transfer cannot be completed until it is unlocked. This is something that you will need to contact your current domain registrar about as we are not familiar with other registrar's systems.Even if you unlock your domain, the domain may be "transfer locked" because it is a recent (within 60 days) registration or transfer. In this case, even if your domain is unlocked at the registrar level the central registry will not allow your transfer to complete. You must wait for the 60 day period to pass before starting your domain transfer.Learn more about the domain transfer process.

• What does it mean when you say "opt out of 60 day transfer lock"?

  Basically, if you don't opt out, then your domain will be locked for 60 days after any changes made to the Name, Organization, or Email field of your domain's contact record. This means that you will be unable to transfer your domain during the 60 days following the changes to your contact record.Please note that this opt out does not apply to the 60 day transfer lock that follows a new registration or transfer.

• Can I transfer my domain from Dynadot to a different domain registrar?

  Yes, you can transfer your domain(s) to another domain registrar. There is no fee or penalty to do this; however, there are some restrictions: Domains that have expired cannot be transferred. You must renew them through us first. Domains less than 60 days old cannot be transferred. This is a rule enforced by the central registries. Domains recently transferred to Dynadot cannot be transferred out for 60 days. Domains in "Buy Lock" or "Auction Lock" status cannot be transferred. Find out how to transfer your domains away from Dynadot.