How to Prepare a Domain for a Transfer Out of Network Solutions

If you choose to prepare a domain for a transfer out, we welcome the opportunity to address any concerns before you proceed, as Network Solutions® values your business.

Due to registry requirements, the following extensions require the Primary Contact of the account to call our customer support to proceed with a transfer between registrars:

Only the Primary Contact of an account can make certain changes, such as turning off the Transfer Lock or requesting an authorization code from the account manager. However, the authorization code (auth code) for initiating a domain registrar transfer is sent to the Registrant’s email listed on the domain. In addition, the transfer alert email and the authorization email for moving domains between accounts are also delivered to the Registrant’s email.

There are four steps to preparing a domain name for transfer. If you do not see the Turn Off Transfer Lock option or the Request Authorization Code link while following the steps, it means you are not logged in as the account’s Primary Contact:

• How to Unlock Domain and Request Authorization Code
• Issues with the Transfer Process

How to Unlock Domain and Request Authorization Code

Follow these instructions to request your authorization code:

1. Log in to your account via https://www.networksolutions.com/my-account/login.
2. Click Domains from the left navigation menu.
   
    
   Note:

   • If you only have a single domain in your account, continue to step 3.
   • If you have multiple domains on the account, click on the domain you want to transfer.
3. Scroll down and click to expand the Transfer or Move Domain menu.
   
    
4. Turn off the Domain Locked toggle switch to unlock the domain, then tap Request Auth Code.
   
    
5. Answer the question about your transfer, then click CONTINUE.
   
    
6. A pop-up will appear, reminding you to set up your hosts' DNS records. You can do it yourself or contact our phone/chat support team for further assistance. If you are all set to go, you can click CONTINUE WITH TRANSFER.
   
    
7. If you decide to transfer your domain, make sure to review the things listed for proper expectations. Click SEND AUTH CODE to have the authorization code sent to the Registrant’s email address on file for the domain.
   

The domain is now unlocked in your Account Manager, and please allow up to 24 hours for this change to update across the internet. We will send the authorization code to the Registrant’s email within 24 hours. Be sure to save this code, as you will need to provide it to your new registrar to complete the transfer.

To help avoid any delays, please ensure the following conditions are met before initiating the transfer:

• The domain is unlocked
• The transfer is initiated with the gaining registrar
• The authorization code is provided to the gaining registrar
• The form of authorization from the new registrar is responded to

During this time, no changes can be made to the Domain Name, including DNS (Domain Name Server) changes. If you need to change your DNS, please make sure the changes are in effect before approving the transfer through the gaining registrar.

Issues with the Transfer Process

The following are common items that can cause transfers to fail or be delayed:

• The domain name has not been registered for 60 days.
  • ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) regulations state that a Domain Name cannot be transferred within 60 days of initial purchase. There is no way to bypass this regulation.
• The authorization code is denied.
  • Authorization codes are random sets of letters and numbers, are case-sensitive, and may contain characters that would be mistaken for other characters. We advise copying and pasting the authorization code from the email we sent rather than typing it into the new registrar's system.
• There is a 30-day transfer lock on the Domain Name.
  • We place a high value on the security of our customers' accounts and domain names. Therefore, we have a process in place to lock the domain names in an account for 30 days when any of the following changes are made within 7 days of a password reset to help prevent fraudulent transfers:
    • The Primary Contact's email has changed.
    • The Primary Contact's name has changed.
    • The WHOIS Administrative Contact email has been changed.
    • The WHOIS Administrative Contact has been changed.
    • User IDs are merged.
    • Primary Contact is replaced.
  • If you have a transfer lock on your Domain Names, the Primary Contact of the Account can contact us for assistance with having the lock reviewed for expedited removal.
• ICANN Change of Registrant Lock (COR) – 60-day lock.
  • When you update your name or email address, domains registered under your name may be subject to a 60-day transfer lock as required by ICANN. You can find more information about their policy at https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/transfer-policy-2016-06-01-en.

Review

When you prepare a domain for a transfer out, it is important to understand the steps and requirements to avoid delays or errors. You need to make sure the domain is unlocked, the authorization code is requested, and the correct WHOIS contact email is listed, since the registrar will use this email for confirmation. Any locks placed by ICANN or by recent account changes must be resolved before the transfer can continue. Some extensions like .ca, .de, or .eu require direct contact with support, which can add extra time. Once the process is completed, the transfer usually takes five to seven days. During this period, you cannot make changes to DNS settings, so those should be updated in advance. Overall, the process is straightforward as long as you carefully review each step and confirm all details before approving the request with your new registrar.