Knowledgebase

If Your Transfer Is Rejected: ICANN rules regarding transfer rejections

A transfer may be rejected for the following reasons only:

• Evidence of fraud
• UDRP action
• Court order by a court of competent jurisdiction
• Reasonable dispute over the identity of the Registrant or Administrative contact
• No payment for a previous registration period (including credit card charge-backs) if the domain name is past its expiration date or for previous or current registration periods if the domain name has not yet expired. In all such cases, however, the domain name must be put into "Registrar Hold" status by the registrar prior to the denial of transfer
• Express written objection to the transfer from the Administrative contact (e.g. - email, fax, paper document or other processes by which the Administrative contact has expressly and voluntarily objected through opt-in means)
• The domain name is in Registrar Lock status, and the registrar provides a readily accessible and reasonable means for the Registrant to remove the lock status
• The domain name is in the first 60 days of an initial registration period
• The domain name is within 60 days (or a lesser period to be determined) after being transferred (apart from being transferred back to the original registrar in cases where both registrars so agree and/or where a decision in the dispute resolution process so directs)

A transfer may not be denied for any of the following reasons:

• Nonpayment for a pending or future registration period
• No response from the registrant or administrative contact
• Domain name in Registrar Lock status, unless the Registrant is provided with the reasonable opportunity and ability to unlock the domain name prior to the transfer request
• Domain name registration period time constraints, other than during the first 60 days of initial registration or during the first 60 days after a registrar transfer
• General payment defaults between registrar and business partners / affiliates in cases where the Registrant for the domain in question has paid for the registration
• A registrar has mechanisms available to collect payment from the Registrant that are independent of the transfer process. The registrar must not use the transfer process as a mechanism to secure payment.

Click here for ICANN's detailed transfer policies.