A domain transfer moves a .ST domain registration from one registrar (the losing registrar) to another (the gaining registrar). This page walks through the whole process — how to prepare a domain, what happens after the request is submitted, and why transfers fail.

On this page

How a transfer works

From start to finish, a transfer involves four parties: the domain owner, both registrars, and ST Registry. The full flow looks like this:

01

Check that the domain is eligible

Domain owner

The domain must be at least 60 days old, must not have changed registrar in the last 60 days, must not be expired, and must not be on hold.

02

Prepare the domain at the current registrar

Domain owner

Disable WHOIS privacy, verify access to the administrative contact e-mail, remove the registrar lock, and obtain the EPP code (transfer authorization code).

03

Submit the transfer request

Gaining registrar

The new registrar submits the request with the domain name and EPP code. A transfer includes a one-year renewal, so the gaining registrar may charge for it before initiating. The domain enters the pendingTransfer state.

04

Approval window

Losing registrar7 days

ST Registry notifies the losing registrar by e-mail and poll message. It has 7 calendar days to approve or reject the request; if it does neither, ST Registry approves the transfer automatically.

05

Transfer completes

ST Registry

The domain moves to the gaining registrar and is renewed for one year.

Eligibility and preparation

Most failed transfers trace back to skipping one of these checks. Verify eligibility first, then prepare the domain.

Is the domain eligible?

Log in to your current registrar and confirm:

  • The initial registration was at least 60 days ago.
  • The domain has been with the current registrar for at least 60 days.
  • The domain is not on hold with the current registrar.
  • The domain has not expired.

Prepare the domain

Before submitting the transfer request:

  • Disable WHOIS privacy protection (private registration) for the domain.
  • Verify you have access to the e-mail address in the domain's WHOIS administrative contact.
  • Unlock the domain — remove the registrar lock set for added security.
  • Obtain the EPP code from the current registrar.

With the domain prepared, submit the transfer from your new (gaining) registrar by providing the domain name and the EPP code. For detailed instructions about the submission itself, refer to your gaining registrar.

Note: a transfer includes a domain renewal, so the gaining registrar may charge you before the transfer is initiated.

Approval window

When a transfer is initiated, ST Registry sends a notice (e-mail and poll message) to the losing registrar and provides 7 calendar days to approve or reject the request. If the losing registrar does not respond within that window, ST Registry approves the transfer automatically.

While the request is open the domain carries the pendingTransfer status, which you can check at any time with a WHOIS lookup. See Domain statuses for the full status reference.

Why transfers fail

A few conditions will cause a transfer to fail. If you have followed the preparation steps above, you have already eliminated most of them.

The domain is younger than 60 days, or transferred within the last 60 days

According to ST Registry regulations, a domain that has been newly registered, or transferred from one registrar to another within the last 60 days, is not eligible for transfer.

The domain is locked or on hold

Most domains have a registrar lock in place for added security. We recommend leaving it in place except when transferring — you can normally remove it yourself in your account at the current registrar, or ask their support for assistance.

A hold is different: it appears in the domain status on a WHOIS lookup and is put in place at the registry or registrar level. You cannot remove a hold yourself — contact the losing registrar for assistance.

The domain has expired

An expired domain cannot be transferred. Re-activate it first by renewing it at the current registrar, then initiate the transfer.

Double renewal: since the transfer itself also includes a renewal, an expired domain ends up renewed twice — once to re-activate it before the transfer, and once more when the transfer completes.

The EPP / authorization code

The domain authorization code — also called an auth code, domain secret or EPP code — provides an extra level of security for the domain registration. It is unique for each domain and is assigned by the registrar or ST Registry when the domain is registered.

The code works as a protection mechanism ensuring that only the rightful domain owner can control the transfer of the registration. It is one of the essential safeguards against unauthorized transfers, and it is required to initiate one.

Share it only to transfer. Some hosting companies may claim the EPP code is the only way to verify a domain for their hosting. Provide it only if you actually intend to transfer the registration to them — with the code, your domain can be transferred away completely. Alternative verification methods, such as a nameserver change, are usually available.

Cancelling a pending transfer

Every registrar can cancel a pending transfer request. If you decide to cancel, contact the gaining registrar (where the transfer was initiated) to cancel the request, or the losing registrar to reject it.

This is only possible while the domain is still in the pending transfer state — verify it with a WHOIS lookup: the pendingTransfer status identifies a domain with an open transfer request.