Check the status of a domain transfer

When you transfer a domain from another provider to WordPress.com, you can track the status of the transfer in your account. This guide explains each possible domain status you might encounter.

To check the status of your domain transfer to WordPress.com:

1. Visit your WordPress.com dashboard.
2. Navigate to Upgrades → Domains (or Hosting → Domains if using WP Admin).
3. Check the Status column next to your domain:

Each status is explained below.

If your domain transfer has the status of Waiting, it means you have added a domain transfer but you need to take further action to begin the transfer process. Your domain remains active at your registrar (i.e., your current provider) and will stay there until the transfer begins. Your website and email (if any) will continue working as usual.

If your domain transfer is waiting, take the following steps:

1. Log into your account on your domain registrar’s website.
2. Unlock your domain: Domain providers lock a domain as a security measure to prevent unauthorized changes like transfers. This is typically referred to as a registrar lock or transfer lock.
3. Obtain a transfer code: This code is commonly known as an EPP code, but your domain provider might also refer to it as a transfer code, authorization key, or auth code.
4. Back on WordPress.com, enter the domain authorization code you received from your domain provider to move the status from “waiting” to “in progress.”

For more detailed instructions, visit the domain transfer guide.

If you don’t start the transfer to WordPress.com within 14 days, the transfer will be removed from your account, and your payment will be refunded, or your plan domain credit will be restored.

If your domain transfer has the status of “In progress” it means your transfer has started, and the domain is on its way to WordPress.com. The domain status on the backend is pendingTransfer.

Transfers typically take up to 5–7 days to complete. During this time, your domain will continue to use your current provider’s settings, but ownership is in the process of moving to your WordPress.com account. Your site and email will keep working without interruption. You cannot change any domain settings during this time.

Your current registrar may email your domain’s contact email address within 24 hours of initiating the transfer from your current provider. Check these emails, as some registrars may require you to click a confirmation link in the email to approve or expedite the transfer to WordPress.com.

If your domain transfer has the status of Active, it means that the transfer to WordPress.com is completed and is no longer associated with the previous provider.

You can manage all settings, such as DNS, renewals, and privacy, directly from your WordPress.com account.

Your DNS records (the settings for your website and email) stay the same during the transfer. You may need to update the domain settings to point to your new website, if you had not done so before initiating the transfer.

If your domain transfer has the status of Failed, it means that the transfer to WordPress.com cannot be completed. The domain remains with your original provider, and no changes have been made.

A domain transfer can fail for the following reasons:

• You added a transfer while signing up to WordPress.com, but did not complete the steps to initiate the transfer within 14 days.
• Privacy protection was not turned off for the transfer. Make sure to disable privacy protection with your registrar before re-starting the transfer.
• If the domain expires, enters redemption, or is canceled after initiating the transfer, contact your current provider to reactivate it and restart the transfer to WordPress.com.
• If your current provider canceled the transfer to WordPress.com, consult them and restart the transfer process.
• In rare cases, if your current provider disputes the transfer away from their service, it may be canceled.

For more information and guidance, visit our Troubleshoot domain transfer issues guide.

If the failed transfer isn’t restarted within 14 days of the original purchase, it will automatically be removed from your account and your payment refunded or your plan domain credit restored.