A domain name account change moves a domain name from one account to another, with the same registrar. A domain name transfer transfers a domain name from one registrar to another.

When to Use an Account Change

Use an account change in the following situations:

• You want to move your domain name to another account with your current registrar. For example, you sold your domain name to someone who has an account with your current registrar.
• You need to change the domain name contact's email address and don't have access to the account where the domain resides. For example, the account containing the domain name belongs to a former employee.

If you have access to the account — Initiate a domain name account change through the Domain Manager. For more information, see Move a domain to another GoWebsite account.

If you do not have access to the account — Complete the Request for Change of Account/Email Update Preparation Form. For more information, see Submitting a Change of Account/Email Update Form.

When to Use a Transfer

Use a domain name transfer in the following situations:

• You sold your domain name to another person who uses a different registrar.
• You switched registrars and want to transfer your domain names to the account with them.

Transferring a domain name takes up to seven days.

To transfer a domain name to us from another registrar, start the process in your account here. For more information, see Transfer domain names to GoWebsite.

If you want to transfer a domain name from us to another registrar, the process starts at the new registrar. See Transferring Domain Names to Another Registrar for more information.

After resolving any issues with domain transfers, you need to restart them (more info).

Yes. If you want to transfer an expired domain name to another registrar, you can send the authorization code to the administrative contact's (admin) email address as long as the expired domain name is in the renewal grace period. Once the status indicates that the domain name is in registry redemption, you can no longer transfer it. See Get an authorization code to transfer my domain to another registrar for instructions.

If you have a .au domain name, we will send the authorization code to your registrant contact's email address.

Yes. You can transfer an expired domain name if it is still in the registrar's renewal grace period. Grace periods differ by registrar and domain name extension. However, once the status indicates that the domain name is in registry redemption, you can no longer transfer it.

When transferring a domain name during the renewal grace period, you have two choices:

• You can renew your domain name, and then initiate the transfer with your new registrar.
• You can get the authorization code (if required) for the expired domain name, and then initiate the transfer with your new registrar.

For Domain Names Registered with Us

If your domain name is registered with us, you can use Recovering Expired Domain Names to renew the domain name. If the domain name is not listed on the Recover Expired Domains page, it entered registry redemption and you can no longer renew and transfer it.

You can also refer to Get an authorization code to transfer my domain to another registrar to get an authorization code for your new registrar.

For Domain Names Registered Elsewhere

If your domain name is registered elsewhere, contact your current registrar for renewal instructions or to get an authorization code. Then, initiate the transfer with us. For more information, see Preparing to Transfer Domain Names to GoWebsite and Transfer domain names to GoWebsite.

If you do not transfer or renew your expired domain name during the renewal grace period, your current registrar might release the domain name near the end of the grace period.

NOTE: If you do not renew your domain name before the grace period ends, you risk losing it to another registrant.

If you are transferring a domain name to us, you might need an authorization code (also known as an EPP code or transfer key) from your current registrar.

Some registrars display the authorization code in your account with them, while others email it upon request to the administrative contact's email address for your domain name. If you have a .au domain name, we will send transfer-related information to the registrant contact's email address.

Contact your current registrar to get your authorization code.

Some domain name extensions, primarily country-code top-level domain names (ccTLDs), do not require authorization codes.

For more information, see Transfer domain names to GoWebsite.

You have to get the authorization code from the losing registrar. If you don't have it yet, don't worry. You can always provide it to us after you've submitted the request to transfer. For more information, see Updating Missing or Inaccurate Authorization Codes.