If you've recently registered a domain and are unable to transfer it to another registrar, this is completely normal. In most cases, newly registered domains are locked from transfer for the first 60 days due to international domain registration policies.
This transfer restriction is a standard industry practice and is enforced by domain registries and ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) for many generic top-level domains (gTLDs), including .com, .net, .org, .info, and many others.
Why Is There a 60-Day Transfer Lock?
The transfer lock exists to improve domain security and prevent unauthorized transfers.
It helps protect domain owners against:
- Domain theft or hijacking.
- Fraudulent ownership changes.
- Unauthorized transfer requests.
- Mistakes made immediately after registration or ownership changes.
This mandatory waiting period gives registrants time to verify their ownership and secure their domains before they become eligible for transfer.
Which Domains Are Affected?
The 60-day transfer restriction commonly applies to:
- Newly registered domains.
- Domains that have recently been transferred to another registrar.
- Domains whose registrant (owner) information has recently changed (depending on the registry's policies).
Some country-code domain extensions (ccTLDs), such as .ng or .com.ng, may follow different rules depending on the registry that manages them.
Can I Still Use My Domain?
Yes. Even though the domain cannot be transferred during the lock period, you can still use it normally.
You can:
- Point it to any hosting provider.
- Change your nameservers.
- Update your DNS records.
- Create email accounts.
- Build and launch your website.
- Renew the domain at any time.
The restriction only prevents transferring the domain registration to another registrar.
How Can I Check If My Domain Is Eligible?
Once the 60-day period has passed, you'll typically need to ensure that:
- Your domain is unlocked for transfer.
- Domain Privacy (if enabled) does not prevent transfer verification.
- You have access to the domain's registrant email address.
- You obtain the EPP/Auth Code from your current registrar.
- There are no outstanding billing or registry issues affecting the domain.
What Should I Do If I Need to Transfer Immediately?
Unfortunately, if your domain is still within the mandatory transfer lock period, neither SIRSTEVEHQ nor any other registrar can bypass or remove this restriction where it is enforced by the registry.
If you need to use your domain with another hosting provider during this period, you can simply update your domain's nameservers or DNS records to point the domain to your preferred hosting service. Your website can still function normally without transferring the domain itself.
Need Help?
If you're unsure why your domain cannot be transferred, our support team can check its status, confirm whether it's still under a transfer lock, and advise you on when it will become eligible for transfer. We'll also guide you through the transfer process once your domain is ready.
