What Is Change of registrant? Domain Glossary

Why it matters

Most domain sales end with a change of registrant or a registrar transfer, and sometimes both. The order matters. Under current rules, changing the owner can freeze the name at its registrar for 60 days unless the registrar offers an opt-out. ICANN's Board adopted changes on June 7, 2026 that would replace this with a shorter 30-day lock for new or newly transferred names, but no effective date has been published. Until then, the 60-day rule applies. A common mistake is updating the owner details first and then finding the buyer cannot move the domain. Plan the sequence before closing.

Source: icann.org

Where we use this term

ICANN Is Replacing the 60-Day Transfer Lock: What Changes

Related terms

Registrant: A registrant is the person or organization listed as the holder of a domain name registration. The registrant holds the right to use the name and is responsible for renewals and accurate contact details.
60-day transfer lock: The 60-day transfer lock is a rule that blocks transfers to a new registrar for 60 days after a domain is first registered, transferred in, or after a change of registrant, unless the owner opts out.
30-day (720-hour) transfer lock: The 30-day transfer lock is a shorter transfer hold that ICANN's Board approved on June 7, 2026. It would replace the current 60-day lock. ICANN has not published an effective date.
Inter-registrar transfer: An inter-registrar transfer moves a domain from one ICANN-accredited registrar to another. The new registrar asks for an authorization code, and the registry completes the move once both sides approve.
Push: A push is a move of a domain between two accounts at the same registrar. The domain stays put at that registrar. Only the account that controls it changes.

All 205 terms

Why it matters

Where we use this term

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