An EPP code (transfer authorization code) is required to move your domain to another registrar. Domain privacy protects your personal information from public WHOIS lookups. Here's how to manage both.
Get your EPP code (transfer authorization code)
An EPP code is a unique alphanumeric code that proves you own a domain and want to transfer it. Your current registrar generates it.
Step 1: Log into your current registrar
- Sign in to your domain registrar's account (the registrar where your domain is currently registered)
- Navigate to your domains list
- Find the domain you want to transfer
Step 2: Unlock your domain
Before requesting an EPP code, your domain must be unlocked.
- In your registrar's control panel, find the domain's lock status
- If locked, look for an Unlock domain or Disable registry lock option
- Click to unlock (some registrars may ask for confirmation via email)
- Wait for the unlock to complete (usually instantaneous, but can take a few minutes)
Step 3: Request the EPP code
- Once your domain is unlocked, find the Request EPP code, Get transfer code, or Authorization code option
- Click to request
- The registrar will email the code to your registrant email address (usually within minutes)
- If you don't see the email, check your spam/junk folder
Step 4: Copy the code
Once you receive the EPP code via email:
- Copy the code exactly as shown (watch for spaces or special characters)
- Keep it somewhere safe while you complete your domain transfer
- It's typically valid for 5–7 days, so initiate your transfer promptly
Need your EPP code but don't know your registrant email?
Check your domain's current registrant email address by:
- Using an online WHOIS lookup tool (if your domain privacy is disabled)
- Logging into your registrar and viewing the registrant details
- Contacting your current registrar's support team
Enable domain privacy (WHOIS privacy)
Domain privacy hides your personal registrant information from public WHOIS lookups. Without it, anyone can look up your name, address, phone, and email.
Why enable domain privacy?
- Privacy — keep your personal information private
- Security — reduces spam, identity theft, and targeted attacks
- Less harassment — spammers can't harvest your contact details
- Professional — many businesses hide behind privacy for credibility
Enable privacy during registration
When you register a new domain in your client portal:
- During checkout, look for Domain Privacy, WHOIS Privacy, or Privacy Protection
- Check the box to enable
- Complete your registration
Privacy is now active for your domain.
Enable privacy on an existing domain
- Log into your client portal
- Navigate to Domains
- Click on the domain you want to protect
- Look for the Privacy, WHOIS Privacy, or Privacy Protection setting
- Click Enable or Add Privacy
- Complete payment (if a separate fee applies)
- Save the changes
Your domain's registrant information is now hidden from public WHOIS lookups.
What privacy hides
When enabled, WHOIS lookups show:
- A generic privacy service address instead of your address
- A privacy service email (e.g. privacyservice@registrar.com) instead of your email
- Redacted phone number or a privacy service phone number
- Your actual registrant details remain with the registrar and are accessible to authorized parties (lawyers, law enforcement, ICANN)
What privacy does NOT hide
Privacy does NOT hide:
- Domain owner information from your registrar — they still know who you are (required by law)
- Technical/admin contact details — these may still be public depending on your registrar
- Domain registration facts — registration/expiry dates, nameservers are still visible
- DNS records — these are always public
Disable privacy (if needed)
If you need to make your registrant information public again:
- Log into your client portal
- Navigate to Domains
- Click on the domain
- Find the Privacy setting
- Click Disable or Remove Privacy
- Confirm the change
Your actual registrant information will be visible in WHOIS lookups within 24 hours.
Privacy and domain transfer
Important: When transferring a domain, your privacy status may change:
- Registered with privacy? — privacy carries over to the new registrar (usually)
- Without privacy? — registrant details become public at the new registrar unless you enable privacy there
- Some registrars include privacy free — confirm with your new registrar before transferring
Registrant information vs. privacy
Understand the difference:
| | Registrant info | Privacy status |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The person/business that owns the domain | A setting that hides or shows registrant info in WHOIS |
| Who can see it | Public WHOIS (if privacy off) or hidden (if on) | Visible as on/off in WHOIS |
| Can be changed? | Yes, by updating registrant details | Yes, enable/disable anytime |
You can update your registrant name, address, and contact details separately from privacy settings.
Update your registrant email
Your registrant email is where critical notices arrive (expiry reminders, transfer authorizations, etc.).
- Log into your client portal
- Navigate to Domains
- Click on the domain
- Find Registrant or Registrant Details
- Update the email address
- Save changes
Keep this address current and monitored—missing renewal or transfer notices can result in losing your domain.
Troubleshooting
I can't find my EPP code after requesting it:
- Check your spam/junk folder
- Wait a few minutes—it can take up to 15 minutes to arrive
- Log back into your registrar and check if there's an option to display it (not just email it)
- Contact your registrar's support if it still doesn't arrive
I can't unlock my domain:
- It may have been registered fewer than 60 days ago (most registrars have a lock period for new domains)
- Contact your registrar's support to request an unlock exception
Privacy is enabled but WHOIS still shows my details:
- Privacy takes 24–48 hours to activate fully
- Refresh the WHOIS lookup after waiting
- Some WHOIS services cache old data; try a different WHOIS lookup tool
Do I need privacy for my business domain?
- It's optional, but recommended for privacy and security
- Some businesses choose to stay public for credibility
- Decide based on your comfort level and industry norms
For help with transferring your domain, see Transfer a domain to us.