This article will show you how to prepare your IONOS domain for a transfer to a different provider and how to access your authorization code right from your IONOS account.

You will need this authorization code later to approve (authorize) the domain transfer with your new provider.

Requirements

Please note that certain domains (.com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, .mobi, .cc and .tv) must be registered under your name for at least 60 days before they can be transferred to a different provider. This is required by the ICANN directive and applies to all providers.

Disabling Private Registration

If you are using private registration for your domain, you must disable it on IONOS's end before starting a domain transfer.

  • You can check if private registration is enabled for your domain in the Domains section of the Privacy & Contact Details page.
  • Select your domain.
  • Disable the private registration option.

Tip: If the private registration option is not displayed on the Privacy & Contact Details page, it is not available for this domain extension and therefore does not need to be disabled.

Disabling Private Registration Option
Disabling Private Registration Option

Disabling the Transfer Lock

For security reasons, domains with generic domain extensions (e.g. .com, .net or .org) are locked against transfer by default. Before you start a domain transfer, you must disable this transfer lock.

  • You can check if a domain transfer lock is enabled for your domain in the Domains section of the Renewal & Transfer page.
  • Select your domain.
  • Disable the Domain transfer lock option.

Showing the Authorization Code

The authorization code prevents unauthorized third parties from accessing your domain. You need it to approve (authorize) the domain transfer with your new provider.

  • You can find the authorization code for your domain in the Domains section of the Renewal & Transfer page.
  • Select your domain.
  • Click Show Authorization Code.

Your authorization code will be requested from the registration authority responsible for your domain. It can occasionally take several minutes for the authorization code to be displayed.

You have successfully prepared the domain for the transfer and accessed the authorization code. You can now start the domain transfer with your new provider.