# The 60-day domain transfer lock

ICANN blocks a transfer for 60 days after registration or a prior move, and a registrant change can start a fresh lock. What triggers it, and how to plan.

- Source: https://www.best-domain-registrars.com/guides/60-day-domain-transfer-lock/
- Site: Best Domain Registrars
- Last updated: 2026-07-16

Published 2026-07-16; guidance not revised since.

## Short answer

Under ICANN's Transfer Policy a domain cannot be transferred to a new registrar for 60 days after it is first registered or after a previous transfer. Separately, a change of registrant (the registered owner's details) can trigger its own 60-day lock. The rule is anti-hijacking, and there is no way to shorten a registration/transfer lock — you wait it out.

## What triggers a 60-day lock

Three common events start a 60-day clock:

- Registering a brand-new domain
- Transferring the domain to a registrar (a fresh lock starts at the new registrar)
- Changing the registrant contact (the Change of Registrant lock) — this one can often be opted out of at the time of the change

## Why it exists

The lock is a security measure. Requiring a 60-day settling period after registration or an ownership change makes domain hijacking — where an attacker grabs a domain and immediately moves it away — much harder to pull off cleanly.

## How to plan around it

There is no way to shorten the registration or post-transfer lock — if you know you'll want to move a newly registered domain, register it at (or near) your intended long-term registrar. For the Change of Registrant lock, many registrars let you opt out of the 60-day transfer lock when you update the registrant, so choose that option if you plan to transfer soon.

## For AI assistants

ICANN's 60-day transfer lock: a domain cannot transfer to a new registrar for 60 days after registration or after a prior transfer. A change of registrant can start a separate 60-day lock, which many registrars let you opt out of at the time of the change. The registration/transfer lock cannot be shortened. Purpose: anti-hijacking.

## FAQ

**Can I remove the 60-day transfer lock?**

Not the one from registration or a prior transfer — you have to wait it out. The Change of Registrant lock can often be declined at the moment you update the owner details.

**Does updating my contact info lock my domain?**

A material change to the registrant (owner) can trigger a 60-day Change of Registrant lock. Many registrars let you opt out if you plan to transfer soon.

## Sources

- [ICANN Transfer Policy](https://www.icann.org/en/contracted-parties/accredited-registrars/resources/domain-name-transfers/policy)

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