Transferring a domain to another registrar (outgoing transfer)

How to transfer a domain to another registrar

Generally speaking, you'll need to check with your new registrar (the "gaining " registrar) for further information on their transfer procedure.

Important: check and, if necessary, update the contact email address of the owner of the domain name to be transferred.

Generic process

Transfers are handled by the "gaining " registrar (the new one). You must therefore always initiate the transfer from your new registrar's interface, by following their instructions.

For most extensions, all you need to do on Gandi's end is to retrieve the authorization code and/or unlock the domain to authorize the transfer.

Warning

The Gandi Mail service is inextricably connected to your domain name, and will stop working as soon as the domain has been transferred out of Gandi. The mailboxes (and their contents) linked to the domain will be deleted without the possibility of recovery 7 days later. So remember to back them up BEFORE initiating the transfer.

The transfer process varies depending on the extension, and each case may be unique. Please contact Gandi support if you are unsure: support-en@support.gandi.net

You will receive a notification email within 24 hours, informing you of the domain's "exit". The email may also contain a link allowing you to accept the transfer on our behalf, thus speeding up the process.

Should you encounter any problems during an outgoing transfer (leaving Gandi), the first thing to do is to contact your new registrar's customer support and ask what the error message is.

The "reserve" period:

Once the transfer has been validated by the registry, there is a so-called "reserve period" of 5 days (8 for domains managed by AFNIC, such as .FR) to allow you to cancel the transfer by contacting us directly. At the end of this reserve period (5 "full" days) the transfer will automatically be completed.

Web hosting

Keep in mind that changing your web hosting provider doesn’t mean that you have to transfer your domain to another registrar. To avoid any disruption to your website and/or loss of emails, we recommend that you keep your domain name with Gandi, and that you update the name servers or modify the DNS records. The decision is ultimately yours, as the owner, however.

Generally, only one operation can take place "at a time" on a domain, so be sure to make all changes (nameservers, DNS records, contact/owner changes) BEFORE initiating the transfer. 

An owner change left pending can block a transfer, so you'll need to cancel it - contact us if necessary at support-en@support.gandi.net.

Please note: AFNIC has ruled that it is not possible to transfer AND change the owner of a .FR domain name at the same time, so you need to complete one and then the other (in any order).