What is a Registrar Transfer?

A Registrar Transfer is the process of transferring responsibility for the administration and billing of a domain name from one domain registrar to another. It does not effect any change of registrant, for which there is a separate process called Transfer of Registrant. The registrar to whom the domain is being moved is commonly referred to as the gaining registrar, while the former registrar is referred to as the losing registrar.

In most registry systems, a registrant has freedom of choice over who their registrar is, and a losing registrar may only refuse to release a domain under special circumstances.

All registrar transfers involve the same key elements:
    * Establishing that the person requesting the transfer has the authority to do so.
    * Having the registrant enter a contract with the new registrar.
    * Setting up records for the domain at the new registrar

How do I transfer my domain name(s) to WebFarm?

You will need to log into your account on our www.webfarm.co.nz website and initiate the Transfer of Registrar process using the tool provided.

What is a UDAI?

A UDAI is the Unique Domain Authentication ID and applies only to .nz domain names. It is a unique identifier issued at the time of registration of a domain name under the New Zealand SRS registry.  To transfer a domain name from one registrar to another, the UDAI must be supplied to the gaining registrar. The UDAI can be obtained from the existing registrar upon request.

What is an EPP Key?

An EPP Key (also called an Auth Code or Authorisation Key) is like a password, and is required to transfer .com, .net, .org, .biz and .info domain names from one Registrar to another. You can obtain the EPP Key for your domain name from your existing Registrar. WebFarm customers will find a tool to obtain the EPP Key for their domain name from within the "My Account" facility on our website.

What are some of the common reasons why TLD Domain Name Transfers fail?

Invalid EPP/Authorisation Key

This means that the EPP Key submitted with the Domain Name when the transfer was initiated is not valid.  A new valid key will need to be obtained from the current Registrar and given to WebFarm so we can initiate the transfer process again.

Domain is Locked at Current Registrar, or is not yet 60 Days Old

If the Registrar-Lock is not removed from a Domain Name before a Registrar transfer is attempted, the transfer will fail.  This is also the case if a Registrar Transfer is attempted within the first 60 days of a new Domain Name being registered – Registry rules prevent a Domain Name being transferred to another Registrar until it is at least 60 days old.

Domain Contacts did not Respond to Verification Email

When a Registrar Transfer is requested, an email is sent to the Administrative Contact listed in the public whois records requesting verification that the transfer is legitimate.  If the verification email is not received and actioned appropriately, the transfer will be rejected.

The Current Registrar has Rejected Transfer

If the losing Registrar has a legitimate reason to prevent a Domain Name being transferred away e.g. if the Domain owner owes money for renewal fees, then they can stop the transfer from proceeding.  In this situation the Domain owner needs to contact the losing Registrar and resolve any outstanding issues.