A newly registered domain cannot move to another registrar for its first 60 days. Under ICANN rules, the domain is locked at its registrar for that period, and the lock holds even after full payment. It affects the transfer only: the domain itself works normally from day one.
What the lock covers
The lock stops exactly one thing: transferring the domain to a different registrar during the first 60 days after registration. Paying in full does not lift it, because it is an ICANN rule rather than our policy. Transfers in general follow ICANN and registry rules, which also allow registrar or registry holds and anti-fraud checks around a move.
What still works on day one
- Point the domain at your website.
- Manage its DNS records and nameservers.
- Run email on the domain.
Everything a domain normally does is available immediately. Only the move to another registrar waits, so a new site launch never has to wait on the lock. If you are changing DNS as part of a launch, allow up to 48 hours for propagation; DNS changes and propagation explains the window.
Planning a transfer
If you know you will want the domain at another registrar, count 60 days from the registration date before starting the transfer. The transfer itself can also take up to 60 days in some cases, because of new registration locks, prior transfer locks, registrant changes, registrar or registry holds, and anti-fraud checks. Transferring Your Domain to Another Registrar explains the process and the EPP/Auth code, and section 7 of the Terms of Use carries the full rules.
Not sure when your domain was registered? Check its page in the client portal, or contact us and we will confirm the date the lock lifts.
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