---
title: "What Is FOA (Form of Authorization)? Domain Glossary | Grit Brokerage"
description: "A form that a gaining registrar historically sent to the domain's contact to confirm a transfer was wanted. ICANN has deferred enforcement of the FOA..."
url: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/form-of-authorization
publisher: Grit Brokerage
contact: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/contact
offer: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/inquiry
---

Registration and DNS

# Form of Authorization (FOA)

A form that a gaining registrar historically sent to the domain's contact to confirm a transfer was wanted. ICANN has deferred enforcement of the FOA step, and the auth code now carries most of the proof.

## Why it matters

The FOA was a safety step against unauthorized transfers. The new registrar asked the registered contact to approve the move. When privacy rules hid contact data, ICANN's Board in January 2020 deferred compliance enforcement of this requirement. Today, the auth code and the losing registrar's checks do most of the work. Some registrars still send approval emails of their own. A buyer should therefore watch the inbox tied to the registrant account. A common mistake is thinking a transfer is stuck when an approval email sits in spam. Check both sides before escalating.

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

[Read nextHow Domain Transfers Work: Auth Codes, Transfer Locks, and Push vs Transfer](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/domain-transfer-process)

## Buying or selling a domain?

Call, text or email. Responsiveness is our trademark, and a broker answers, not a form robot.

[Talk to a broker](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/contact) [Call (442) 500-GRIT](tel:+1-442-500-4748)