What Is ICANN 60-Day Rule?
The ICANN 60-Day Rule (formally the 60-Day Transfer Lock) states that a registrar may deny a domain transfer request if the domain was registered or previously transferred within the last 60 days. This rule was implemented to protect domain owners from unauthorized transfers shortly after registration.
The 60-day lock applies to inter-registrar transfers (moving from one registrar to another) but not to registrant changes within the same registrar. Some registrars allow owners to opt out of this lock, but many enforce it by default.
This rule has practical implications for domain purchases: if you buy a domain from someone who just transferred it to their current registrar, you may need to wait up to 60 days before you can transfer it to your own registrar.
Why This Matters for Startups
Be aware of the 60-day rule when purchasing domains. If you need a domain urgently, verify that it's not within the 60-day lock period before closing the deal. You can still use the domain during this period (by updating nameservers), but you won't be able to transfer it to your preferred registrar. Some sellers can push the domain to your account within the same registrar instead, bypassing the transfer lock entirely.
Ready to Find Your Startup's Domain?
Browse our curated collection of premium domains or get a free appraisal on any name.
Browse Premium Domains