Requirements and common reasons a transfer is refused

Before a domain can transfer, the registry requires a few conditions to be met. If any are missing the transfer will be rejected:

• Domain unlocked — the registrar lock (clientTransferProhibited) must be off at the losing registrar.
• Valid auth/EPP code — correct and not expired (gTLDs). For .uk, the IPS tag must point to us.
• Not within 60 days of registration, a previous transfer, or a registrant change (ICANN rule for gTLDs).
• Not expired or in redemption — most registries won't transfer a domain that has lapsed; renew it first.
• Contactable registrant email — the registry emails the registrant to authorise; if that address is dead, the transfer stalls.
• WHOIS privacy sometimes needs disabling at the losing registrar so the registry can read the contact email.

If a transfer is refused, the panel shows the registry's reason. The usual culprits are a locked domain or a stale auth code — both quick to fix.