Transfer a domain name out of Alibaba Cloud-Domain Names(Domain)-阿里云帮助中心

If you want to switch your domain name service provider for business reasons, this topic describes how to transfer a domain name from Alibaba Cloud to another registrar. Transferring a domain name out means your domain name will no longer be managed by Alibaba Cloud.

To transfer a domain name to another Alibaba Cloud China Website (www.aliyun.com) account, see Transfer a domain name to another Alibaba Cloud account.

Transfer-out rules

Before you transfer a domain name out of Alibaba Cloud, make sure that it meets the following requirements:

Checklist item	Description and instructions
The domain name registrar is Alibaba Cloud	Verify this in the Registrar field on the Basic Information page of the domain name. In the Alibaba Cloud Domain Names console, go to the Domain Names page, click the domain name that you want to transfer out, and view its basic information.
The domain name was registered with or transferred to Alibaba Cloud more than 60 days ago	According to the transfer policy of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a domain name can be transferred only if it has been registered with or transferred to the current registrar for more than 60 days. In addition, more than 60 days must have passed since the last successful registrar transfer. In the Alibaba Cloud Domain Names console, go to the Operation Logs page to view transfer records.
The domain name status is Normal	Disable the transfer prohibition lock: On the Domain Names page, click Manage for the target domain name. On the Domain Security page, make sure the transfer prohibition lock (`clientTransferProhibited`) is disabled. No abnormal status: The domain name status cannot be `serverTransferProhibited` (registry lock) or `clientHold` (parsing is suspended by the registrar). These statuses usually indicate violations or disputes. You must resolve the issue before you can transfer the domain name out. If the status is clientHold or serverHold, see Remove the lock on a domain name for troubleshooting instructions. No disputes: The domain name is not involved in any disputes, arbitration, or court orders that restrict transfers.
The registrant's mailbox is valid	The authorization code and all key notifications are sent to the registrant's mailbox. On the Basic Information page of the Domain Names page, confirm that the email address is correct and can receive emails. To change it, see Change registrant information (transfer ownership). Important When you submit the change, select the Disable "Domain names cannot be transferred out of Alibaba Cloud within 60 days of successful modification" option. Otherwise, the domain name cannot be transferred out of Alibaba Cloud for 60 days.
The domain name is not expiring soon	For domain names under the CNNIC registry, you cannot transfer them out within 15 days before they expire. To prevent the domain name from expiring during the transfer, start the transfer-out process at least 30 days before the expiration date.
Renewal or redemption was completed more than 45 days ago	If the domain name was recently renewed or redeemed, submit the transfer-out request more than 45 days after the renewal or redemption. If you transfer it out within 45 days, you will lose the renewed period and the renewal fee. In the Alibaba Cloud Domain Names console, go to the Operation Logs page to view renewal or redemption records.
Identity verification is complete	domain names must have completed identity verification.

Fee description

Alibaba Cloud: The transfer-out operation itself is free.
New registrar: According to ICANN and CNNIC rules, you must pay a fee to the new registrar to extend the domain name's validity by one year. For more information, consult your new registrar.

Procedure

Important

To migrate DNS records, change the DNS servers for the domain name to those of the new service provider and configure the DNS records before you transfer the domain name out. This prevents DNS resolution failures after the transfer.

Step 1: Get the authorization code

The authorization code is also known as a transfer password, Auth Code, EPP Code, or Auth Info.

Log on to the Alibaba Cloud Domain Names console. On the Domain Names page, find the domain name that you want to transfer out and click Manage in the Actions column.

".hk" domain names do not support online transfer-out. For more information, see Transfer out a .hk domain name.
In the navigation pane on the left, select Domain Transfer-out.
Follow the prompts to confirm the registrant's email address and complete mobile phone number verification.

If the email address or mobile phone number is incorrect, click Modify Email/Modify Mobile Phone to change it.
After verification, click Next. The system sends an email with the authorization code to the registrant's mailbox.

The authorization code is the only credential required to authorize a domain name transfer. It is valid for 15 days. We recommend that you use it as soon as possible after you obtain it.

Step 2: Submit a transfer-in request on the new registrar's platform

Log on to the official website of your new registrar and find the entry for "Domain Transfer-in" or a similar function.
Follow the new registrar's instructions to enter the domain name you want to transfer in and the authorization code you obtained in the previous step.
Complete the payment. This step usually involves paying for a one-year domain name renewal.
Check your mailbox for a confirmation email from the new registrar.

Step 3: Wait for or confirm the domain name transfer

After you submit the request at the new registrar, Alibaba Cloud receives the transfer request.

Comparison item	Estimated time	Key operation
Normal transfer-out	5 to 7 business days	After you get the authorization code and submit the request at the new service provider, no action is required. Wait for the system to complete the transfer automatically.
Fast transfer-out	About 1 hour	In addition to the standard procedure, you must return to the Alibaba Cloud console to manually confirm the transfer and complete a second confirmation by email to authorize an immediate transfer.

Normal transfer-out (Recommended): No action is required. Wait 5 to 7 business days for the system to automatically process the transfer.
Fast transfer-out (Optional):

Important
This action immediately transfers the domain name and cannot be revoked. After the transfer, the domain name will no longer be managed on the Alibaba Cloud platform. To ensure domain name security and prevent fraud, proceed with caution.
1. Return to the Domain Names list in the console. When the target domain name's status changes to Transferring out, go to the Domain Transfer-out page again.
2. Click the Transfer Out Now button and follow the prompts to send a confirmation email.
3. Log on to the registrant's mailbox, find the email with the subject "Immediate Confirmation for Transferring Out Domain Name from Alibaba Cloud", and click the confirmation link in the email.
4. On the page that opens, click Confirm Transfer-out.
  
  The domain name is usually transferred within about 1 hour. If it takes longer, contact the new registrar.
  
  The page displays the following important information: After you confirm the transfer-out, the domain name is immediately transferred to the new registrar and the transfer cannot be canceled. The transfer may fail if the domain name does not meet the transfer-out conditions. A delay of several minutes may occur before the operation information from the new registrar is synchronized to Alibaba Cloud.

What to do next

Confirm the transfer-out status

You can check the domain name status at any time using the WHOIS lookup tool.

If the domain name status is pendingTransfer, the domain name is waiting to be transferred. For more information about domain name statuses, see WHOIS lookup details.
If the registrar is no longer Alibaba Cloud, the domain name has been successfully transferred out. You can then log on to the new registrar's platform to manage your domain name.

Cancel the transfer-out

If you change your mind during the transfer-out process, you can cancel it as long as the domain name status is still "Transferring out" and you have not confirmed the "Fast transfer-out" by email. To cancel the transfer-out, perform the following steps.

Log on to the Alibaba Cloud Domain Names console, click the domain name to be transferred out, and go to the Basic Information page.
In the navigation pane on the left, click Domain Transfer-out > Cancel Transfer-out.

If the Domain Transfer-out page does not display a Cancel Transfer-out button, the domain name has already been successfully transferred out. After the transfer is complete, it cannot be revoked. You must wait 60 days before you can transfer the domain name to Alibaba Cloud.

Transfer out a .hk domain name

The transfer-out process for .hk domain names is not managed by ICANN and requires manual offline processing.

Click to view the procedure

Prepare materials:
- Download and complete the Application Form for Transferring out .hk Domain Names. The form must be signed and stamped by both the registrant and the owner of the Alibaba Cloud account that holds the domain name.
- Prepare color photos of the original identity documents:
  - Individual: Front and back of the ID card.
  - Enterprise: A copy of the business license.
    
    For public institutions or government units: Provide the organization code certificate.
Note
Photo requirements: To meet the registry's requirements for document authenticity and prevent the use of scanned or forged copies, you must provide photos of the original documents. For example, you can place the document on a desk so that part of the desk is visible in the background of the photo.
- Provide photos of the original documents. Scanned, photocopied, or printed versions are not supported.
- To help verify the authenticity of the original photos, include the surrounding background when you take the pictures.
Send an email:

Send the completed application form and the photos of the identity documents to cndomain-notice@service.alibaba.com.
Next steps: After Alibaba Cloud receives the required materials, we will reply by email with the next steps within 3 business days. Follow the instructions in the email to complete the process.

FAQ

How do I manage my domain name after it is transferred out?

After the domain name is transferred out, you must manage it on the new registrar's platform. Make sure you have the logon information for the new platform.
What should I do if I do not receive the email with the authorization code?

Check the following:
- Confirm that the "Registrant's Mailbox" address you see in the console is correct.
- Check the spam or junk mail folder of that mailbox.
- If the email address is correct, you can try clicking "Resend Authorization Code" on the page where you obtain the authorization code.
What should I do if the authorization code I submitted is invalid?

Check the following:
- Check whether the authorization code has exceeded its 15-day validity period. If so, obtain a new one.
- Check whether you included extra spaces or characters when you copied the authorization code. Ensure that you copy the code completely and accurately. Pay attention to easily confused characters, such as 0 and O.
Is my existing ICP filing affected after the domain name is transferred out?

Transferring a domain name from Alibaba Cloud to another registrar does not affect an existing ICP filing. The ICP filing information is associated with the server provider, not the domain name registrar. As long as your website is hosted on the original server and the filing information is unchanged, the ICP filing remains valid. If you also change your server provider when you transfer the domain name, you must update your ICP filing information with the new server provider.