You signed in with another tab or window. Reload to refresh your session.You signed out in another tab or window. Reload to refresh your session.You switched accounts on another tab or window. Reload to refresh your session.Dismiss alert
[Registrar] Address review feedback on transfer docs (cloudflare#28933)
* [Registrar] Rewrite transfer page and add registration limits troubleshooting
Restructure the transfer-domain-to-cloudflare page into two clear phases
(add domain to Cloudflare, then transfer registration) instead of the
previous flat 10-step list. Inline partials, add DNSSEC/nameserver
provider links, explain why each step is needed, and add registration
limits content with actionable guidance.
Add new troubleshooting section for transfers rejected due to
registration period limits (10-year max for most TLDs, 5-year for .co).
Clarify vague language throughout: specific WHOIS status explanations,
concrete 45-day expiration rule, ICANN contact-change lock details.
* [Registrar] Simplify transfer timeline language in opening paragraph
* [Registrar] Address PR review feedback and restore grace period transfer scenario
- Break opening paragraph into scannable bullet list (#1)
- Lead with action instead of comparison to other registrars (#2)
- Replace IDN jargon with plain language and example (#3)
- Lead with actionable advice in Restrictions block (#5)
- Cross-link 'active on Cloudflare' to full-setup docs (cloudflare#6)
- Replace inlined DNSSEC links with dnssec-providers partial (cloudflare#7)
- Slim 'Add your domain' section to cross-link full-setup page (cloudflare#8)
- Reorder unlock section to put action before context (cloudflare#9)
- Restore 45-day grace period scenario with concrete date example
and ICANN refund entitlement, matching FAQ content (cloudflare#10)
* [Registrar] Simplify transfer page, move details to troubleshooting
- Simplify opening: shorter total time bullet, one-line prereq
- Move Restrictions block content to troubleshooting page
- Move registration limits and 'domain not available' Details blocks
to troubleshooting page as standalone sections with full examples
- Add 45-day grace period note in Before you begin with FAQ link
- Update TLD page to link to troubleshooting instead of removed anchor
- Simplify approve-transfer section for non-technical audience
- Convert caution to note for Active status requirement
- Make authoritative DNS requirement a bullet in Before you begin
- Remove redundant 'Go to Transfer Domains page' text (DashButton CTA)
* [Registrar] Restore auth code callout in opening note block
* [Registrar] Address review feedback on auth codes, GoDaddy proxy, and ccTLD transfer pricing
* [Registrar] Replace unverified GoDaddy domain forwarding claim with accurate transfer guidance
* [Registrar] Simplify 45-day transfer registration language and move detail to FAQ
* [Registrar] Address review feedback: restore notes and add email verification section
Copy file name to clipboardExpand all lines: src/content/docs/registrar/faq.mdx
+27-44Lines changed: 27 additions & 44 deletions
Display the source diff
Display the rich diff
Original file line number
Diff line number
Diff line change
@@ -4,21 +4,20 @@ title: FAQ
4
4
structured_data: true
5
5
sidebar:
6
6
order: 7
7
-
8
7
---
9
8
10
9
import { DashButton } from"~/components";
11
10
12
11
Below you will find answers to our most commonly asked questions. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, refer to the [community page](https://community.cloudflare.com/) to explore more resources.
13
12
14
-
*[Domain management](#domain-management)
15
-
*[Domain transfers](#domain-transfers)
16
-
*[Domain registrations](#domain-registrations)
17
-
*[Domain restoration](#domain-restoration)
18
-
*[Domain deletions](#domain-deletions)
19
-
*[Billing](#billing)
13
+
-[Domain management](#domain-management)
14
+
-[Domain transfers](#domain-transfers)
15
+
-[Domain registrations](#domain-registrations)
16
+
-[Domain restoration](#domain-restoration)
17
+
-[Domain deletions](#domain-deletions)
18
+
-[Billing](#billing)
20
19
21
-
***
20
+
---
22
21
23
22
## Domain management
24
23
@@ -34,7 +33,7 @@ If you still need to use different nameservers, you will have to [move your doma
34
33
35
34
You can update both your default contact information and any individual Registrant, Administrator, Technical or Billing contact for your domain registrations by following [Registrant contact updates](/registrar/account-options/domain-contact-updates/). Details that may be updated include name, email, address, organization and telephone number.
36
35
37
-
***
36
+
---
38
37
39
38
## Domain transfers
40
39
@@ -56,7 +55,6 @@ Whenever a domain is first registered, the registrant purchases control of that
56
55
57
56
Transferring a domain adds time to the current expiration date, unless your domain already has [10 years on the term](#if-i-registered-my-domain-for-10-years-at-another-registrar-will-i-gain-another-year-if-i-transfer-it-to-cloudflare).
58
57
59
-
60
58
### How can I see the status of my domain transfer?
61
59
62
60
Once you initiate a domain transfer, your previous registrar has five days to release the domain. In most cases, they will send you an email to confirm you want to transfer. If you actively acknowledge that email (through a link or the registrar's dashboard), they can process it immediately.
@@ -69,7 +67,6 @@ To accelerate the process, be sure to check with your old registrar how you can
69
67
70
68
Once successful, you will receive an email from Cloudflare and be able to manage the domain in the dashboard under **Overview** of that site.
71
69
72
-
73
70
### Why am I not allowed to transfer my domain?
74
71
75
72
ICANN prohibits domain transfers within 60 days of a change to the WHOIS data or registrar of a domain. If you modified your contact information, transferred registrars, or registered your domain in the last 60 days, Cloudflare will be unable to process your transfer immediately.
@@ -88,36 +85,33 @@ If you have an [unverified email address](/fundamentals/user-profiles/verify-ema
88
85
89
86
If you enter an incorrect auth code (also referred to as authentication code or authorization code), return to the **Domain Registration** page or the **Overview** for your site. You can use the available input field to reenter your authentication code.
90
87
91
-
92
88
### If I registered my domain for 10 years at another registrar, will I gain another year if I transfer it to Cloudflare?
93
89
94
-
95
90
No. A domain cannot have more than 10 years on the term. If you registered your domain for 10 years, you will get 10 years upon transferring it to Cloudflare.
96
91
97
-
***
92
+
---
98
93
99
94
## Domain registrations
100
95
101
96
### My domain's registration was not extended by one year after transferring to Cloudflare
102
97
103
-
When you transfer your domain to Cloudflare, the registry will extend your registration by one year. However, in one specific circumstance your transfer could result in you keeping your original expiration date.
104
-
105
-
When a domain expires, the registration enters the auto-renew grace period. During that time, you can renew the domain at your registrar to avoid losing it. If your domain expires at your current registrar, you renew it and then transfer to Cloudflare within 45 days, the registry can restrict the addition of an extra year.
98
+
Most transfers add one year to your registration. However, if your domain expired, you renewed it to keep it, and then transferred within 45 days of renewal, you will be charged for the transfer but no additional year will actually be added. This is a registry restriction that applies to all registrars, not just Cloudflare.
106
99
107
-
Say you have`example.com`registered and it expires on December 10, 2021. You decide to renew it during the auto-renew grace period on December 20, 2021. That renewal extends the registration to December 20, 2022. You then transfer to Cloudflare on December 30, 2021. Since that transfer is within 45 days of the expiration, the registry may not add the year to your registration. When you transfer to Cloudflare or any registrar in this circumstance, your expiration can still remain December 20th, 2022.
100
+
For example, say`example.com` expires on March 1. You renew it on March 10, extending the registration to March 10 of the following year. You then transfer to Cloudflare on March 20. Because the transfer is within 45 days of renewal, the registry does not add an additional year. Your expiration date remains March 10 of the following year.
108
101
109
-
If a year is not added to your registration, you have effectively paid twice for the same added year. Per ICANN rules, you are entitled to request a refund at your previous registrar.
102
+
To avoid this, wait at least 45 days after renewal before transferring.
110
103
104
+
If this already happened, you have effectively paid twice for the same year. Per ICANN rules, you are entitled to request a refund from your previous registrar.
111
105
112
106
### What Happens When a Domain Expires?
113
107
114
108
In summary, here is what will happen after a domain expires:
115
109
116
-
***Day 0**: Expiration Date.
117
-
***Day 1 - 30**: Grace Period (domain resolves normally).
118
-
***Day 31 - 40**: Suspension Period (domains resolves to suspension page).
119
-
***Day 41 - 70**: Redemption Period.
120
-
***Day 71 - 75**: Pending Delete Period.
110
+
-**Day 0**: Expiration Date.
111
+
-**Day 1 - 30**: Grace Period (domain resolves normally).
112
+
-**Day 31 - 40**: Suspension Period (domains resolves to suspension page).
113
+
-**Day 41 - 70**: Redemption Period.
114
+
-**Day 71 - 75**: Pending Delete Period.
121
115
122
116
Cloudflare currently offers a 40-day grace period for most top-level domains (TLDs).
123
117
@@ -129,7 +123,7 @@ If the domain is in a state where it can be restored, the Manage Domain page in
129
123
130
124
Cloudflare does not guarantee against domain loss in the sense of fully indemnifying you for business losses if you lose your domain. However, mechanisms are in place to alert you of domain expiration and redemption grace periods should your domain expire. You can also elect to set up your domain registration to renew automatically. For an additional layer of control over your domains, refer to [Domain Protection Service](https://www.cloudflare.com/products/registrar/custom-domain-protection/).
131
125
132
-
***
126
+
---
133
127
134
128
## Domain restoration
135
129
@@ -169,36 +163,29 @@ No. Once a restore has been completed it can not be reversed. It may be possible
169
163
170
164
:::note[Note]
171
165
172
-
173
166
Domain names should be released after a period of 75 days, although the exact deletion timeline is ultimately determined by the domain's registry. You should monitor the domain status to ascertain when it will become available for registration once again.
174
167
175
-
176
168
:::
177
169
178
-
179
-
180
-
***
170
+
---
181
171
182
172
## Domain deletions
183
173
184
-
185
174
### Why am I unable to delete my Registrar domain?
186
175
187
176
A domain can only be deleted if all the following conditions are met:
188
177
189
-
* The user initiating the action is a Super Admin or Read/Write Administrator.
190
-
* The domain is not delete locked at the registry with either `clientDeleteProhibited` or `serverDeleteProhibited`.
191
-
* The domain is not already in `pendingDelete`, `redemptionPeriod`, or in `pendingTransfer`.
192
-
* The domain has not been administratively locked by Cloudflare. This typically occurs for legal reasons such as a UDRP filing or court order, but may also be the result of an abuse or payment investigation.
193
-
* The domain is NOT a .UK domain. .UK domains currently cannot be deleted at the registry.
178
+
- The user initiating the action is a Super Admin or Read/Write Administrator.
179
+
- The domain is not delete locked at the registry with either `clientDeleteProhibited` or `serverDeleteProhibited`.
180
+
- The domain is not already in `pendingDelete`, `redemptionPeriod`, or in `pendingTransfer`.
181
+
- The domain has not been administratively locked by Cloudflare. This typically occurs for legal reasons such as a UDRP filing or court order, but may also be the result of an abuse or payment investigation.
182
+
- The domain is NOT a .UK domain. .UK domains currently cannot be deleted at the registry.
194
183
195
184
If any of the above conditions are not met, the domain cannot be deleted.
196
185
197
186
### Who has permission to delete a domain registration?
198
187
199
-
200
-
Only Super Admins and Administrators with Read/Write access can initiate the deletion of a domain. Note that only Super Admins will receive the email with the delete token.
201
-
188
+
Only Super Admins and Administrators with Read/Write access can initiate the deletion of a domain. Note that only Super Admins will receive the email with the delete token.
202
189
203
190
### Will I receive a refund for my deleted domain registration?
204
191
@@ -218,22 +205,18 @@ If the domain is within 5 days of the initial registration, the domain will be i
218
205
219
206
If the domain is more than 5 days old, it will enter the redemption period and will remain in account until the redemption period expires and the registry releases the domain.
220
207
221
-
***
208
+
---
222
209
223
210
## Billing
224
211
225
212
### How much does Cloudflare Registrar cost?
226
213
227
214
Refer to [What is Cloudflare Registrar](https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/dns/what-is-cloudflare-registrar/) for more information on pricing.
228
215
229
-
230
216
### When will I be billed?
231
217
232
218
You will be billed when you input your authorization code and initiate the transfer of your domain to Cloudflare. Currently, Cloudflare Registrar only uses the primary payment method for any associated transaction. Make sure to copy and paste the code to avoid mistakes. The transfer will not initiate if the code is incorrect.
233
219
234
-
235
220
### Is there a fee to transfer a .UK domain?
236
221
237
222
No, there is no fee to transfer a `.uk` domain. Also, an additional year is NOT added during the transfer process. However, if the domain is nearing the expiration date and is set to auto-renew, it may be automatically renewed shortly after the completion of the transfer.
Transferring a domain moves your registration from your current registrar to Cloudflare.
13
13
14
14
-**Active work:** About 30 minutes.
15
-
-**Total time:**Around 5 business days. Your current registrar has up to 5 days to release the domain and DNS changes take time to propagate.
16
-
-**Cost:**One year of registration at Cloudflare's at-cost price, added to your current expiration date.
15
+
-**Total time:**Up to 10 days, depending on your registrar.
16
+
-**Cost:**Cloudflare domains are at-cost with no markup fees. Most transfers include a one-year extension from your current expiration date. Some country-code domains (such as `.uk`) have no transfer fee.
17
17
18
-
Before you can transfer, you must first [add your domain to Cloudflare](#1-add-your-domain-to-cloudflare).
18
+
:::note
19
+
Before you can transfer, you must first [add your domain to Cloudflare](#1-add-your-domain-to-cloudflare). You cannot [enter an authorization code](/registrar/troubleshooting/#cannot-find-where-to-enter-your-authorization-code) until your domain is active on Cloudflare. If your domain is registered with a website builder platform (such as Block, Shopify, Squarespace, or Wix), you may not be able to change nameservers while the domain is registered there. Refer to [Transfer from website builders](#transfer-from-website-builders) for the recommended workaround, or [Troubleshoot failed domain transfers](/registrar/troubleshooting/) if you are running into issues.
20
+
:::
19
21
20
22
:::note
21
-
You cannot [enter an authorization code](/registrar/troubleshooting/#cannot-find-where-to-enter-your-authorization-code) until your domain is active on Cloudflare. If your domain is registered with a website builder platform (such as Block, Shopify, Squarespace, or Wix), you may not be able to change nameservers while the domain is registered there. Refer to [Transfer from website builders](#transfer-from-website-builders) for the recommended workaround, or [Troubleshoot failed domain transfers](/registrar/troubleshooting/) if you are running into issues.
23
+
If yourdomain recently expired and you renewed it, wait at least 45 days after the original expiration date before transferring. Otherwise, the registry may not add the extra year. For details, refer to [Why did my domain's expiration date change?](/registrar/faq/#my-domains-registration-was-not-extended-by-one-year-after-transferring-to-cloudflare).
@@ -31,10 +37,6 @@ Confirm the following before you start:
31
37
- You have not changed your registrant name, organization, or email address in the last 60 days. Under ICANN rules, changes to these fields trigger a 60-day transfer lock. Some registrars let you opt out of this lock during the change, but not all do.
32
38
- Your account at your current registrar is active. If your domain has expired, renew it at your current registrar first.
33
39
34
-
:::note
35
-
If your domain recently expired and you renewed it, wait at least 45 days after the original expiration date before transferring. Otherwise, the registry may not add the extra year. For details, refer to [Why did my domain's expiration date change?](/registrar/faq/#my-domains-registration-was-not-extended-by-one-year-after-transferring-to-cloudflare).
36
-
:::
37
-
38
40
- Your domain uses only standard characters (letters, numbers, hyphens). Cloudflare does not support domains with non-Latin characters (for example, `例え.jp`).
39
41
- If you are transferring a `.us` domain, refer to [Additional requirements for .US domains](/registrar/top-level-domains/us-domains/).
40
42
- If you are transferring multiple domains, notify your bank to prevent fraud alerts on multiple charges.
@@ -113,15 +115,15 @@ Some registrars have multiple lock types (domain lock, transfer lock, privacy lo
113
115
114
116
Request an authorization code for your domain. This is also called an auth code, EPP code, authinfo code, or transfer code. Cloudflare uses this code to verify that the transfer is authorized by the domain owner.
115
117
116
-
Authorization codes expire within 5-14 days depending on the registrar. Some registrars invalidate the previous code each time you request a new one. Request the code when you are ready to enter it in the next step.
118
+
Authorization codes are usually only valid for a limited period. Request the code when you are ready to enter it in the next step.
117
119
118
120
### Enter your authorization code and confirm payment
Select your domain and enter the authorization code. The page will show the transfer price, which includes a one-year registration extension from your current expiration date. This is an ICANN requirement — every transfer extends your registration by one year.
126
+
Select your domain and enter the authorization code. For most generic TLDs (such as `.com`, `.net`, and `.org`), the transfer priceincludes a one-year registration extension from your current expiration date. This is an ICANN requirement for gTLD transfers. Country-code domains follow their own registry policies — for example, `.uk` transfers do not add an extra year or charge a transfer fee.
125
127
126
128
If you do not have a payment method on file, add one before proceeding.
0 commit comments