Domain Names:Transfer a domain name to Alibaba Cloud

Pre-transfer checklist

Confirm your domain name meets these requirements:

Transfer procedure

1. Migrate DNS resolution

   A transfer changes only the registrar. DNS resolution, which points your domain to your website or email server, is a separate service.

   However, your current registrar may stop its bundled DNS service after transfer-out.

   To prevent downtime, migrate DNS to Alibaba Cloud first. Smoothly migrate domain name resolution to Alibaba Cloud DNS.

2. Create an information template

   An information template contains the registrant's name, address, and email. In the Information Template list, create a template matching the current domain name registrant.

   Note

   To transfer a ".cn" domain name, the selected information template must have completed identity verification, or the transfer request cannot be submitted. Identity verification for .cn domain names.

3. Obtain the authorization code

   Obtain an authorization code (also called a transfer password, transfer token, or EPP code) from your current registrar. On the WHOIS lookup page, find the current registrar and contact them for the code.

   Authorization code guides by registrar: GoDaddy | Cloudflare | AWS | dynadot | Porkbun

   Note

   If your current registrar refuses to provide the authorization code, you can file a complaint.

   • For .cn domain names, the complaint email address is supervise@cnnic.cn and the complaint phone number is 010-58813000.

   • For international domain names, fill out the online Transfer Complaint Form.

4. Submit transfer information

   1. Log on to the Domain Name Transfer-in page, enter the domain name and the authorization code, and then click Confirm.

      Format: Domain name + Space + Authorization code. Enter one domain name per line. You can transfer up to 50 domain names at a time.

      

   2. Select an information template and click Next.

   3. Review the order amount and pay the fee. This cost is typically for a one-year renewal.

      Note

      After payment, the system verifies the authorization code. If valid, the transfer begins. The order expires 15 days after payment. If the domain fails the naming review or if you do not submit the correct authorization code within this period, the order fails and you receive a refund.

5. Check the transfer status

   The transfer takes 5 to 7 business days per domain registry rules. Check the transfer status on the Domain Transfer-In page. When the transfer status is Transfer-in Succeeded, the domain name has been successfully transferred to Alibaba Cloud.

Cancel a transfer

Cancel a domain name transfer-in from the Domain Name Transfer-in list. Cancellation is allowed after payment but before authorization code authentication, or within 5 days (5 × 24 hours) after authentication. If you cancel, you will receive a refund.

Billing details

• The domain name transfer-in is free. However, per ICANN regulations, most domain names require a one-year renewal during transfer. The fee you pay covers this renewal.

• Prices vary by suffix. Check the "Transfer-in" column on the Domain Pricing page. For premium domains, the final price is set at checkout.

For example, if a domain name's original expiration date is August 1, 2024, you pay a one-year renewal fee during the transfer. After the transfer is successful, the new expiration date will be August 1, 2025.

FAQ

• Why did my domain transfer fail?

  Common causes: domain lock at the previous registrar (status is not ok), an incorrect or expired authorization code, or unmet checklist conditions. Domain Name Transfer-in and Transfer-out FAQ.

• Why was my domain name's expiration date not extended by one year after I paid the transfer fee?

  • Transfer within 45 days of renewal: Transferring within 45 days of renewal at the previous registrar voids the recent renewal per ICANN policy. Wait at least 45 days after renewal.

  • .hk domain names: For .hk domains, the registry requires you to pay a one-year transfer fee, but the domain's expiration date will not be extended. This is a special rule that applies only to the .hk suffix.

• How can I shorten the 5 to 7-day transfer time?

  After you submit the transfer request and pay, log on to your current registrar's console. Find the domain transfer management section and approve the transfer-out request. This reduces the wait from 5-7 days to just a few minutes or an hour.

• What is an information template and why must I create one?

  An information template is your identity profile as a domain owner on Alibaba Cloud, containing your name and contact details. According to regulations from the domain name registry and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), every domain name must be associated with owner information that has completed identity verification. When transferring a domain, select an information template to specify the new owner.

• The current registrant of the domain name is A. Can I select an information template for a different registrant, B, during the transfer? If the transfer is approved, will the domain ownership be transferred to B?

  Yes. Ownership transfers to B. However, use a template matching the current registrant for a smoother transfer. Change the registrant after transfer to reduce failure risk.