Once a domain has expired, it is not eligible for transfer until it has been renewed and restored to active status. This applies to both types of transfers, external transfers between different registrars and internal transfers or “pushes” between accounts within the same registrar.
ICANN’s official Transfer Policy clearly states that a domain must be in active (unlocked) status before it can be moved. This ensures proper ownership verification and prevents unauthorized transfers. Most registrars, including GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Bluehost, follow this guideline strictly, requiring that the domain be renewed with the current registrar before any transfer request can be processed.
In short, if a domain has expired, the first step is to renew it with your current registrar to bring it back to life. Once renewed, it regains full functionality of DNS settings, website, and email services start working again, and the domain becomes eligible for transfer. Renewing first not only makes the transfer possible but also ensures you don’t risk losing the domain permanently if it slips into redemption or deletion. After it’s active, you can unlock it and proceed with the transfer or account move whenever you’re ready.
