EPPauthkode

EPPauthkode is the authorization code used to approve the transfer of a registered domain name from one registrar to another within the domain name system that uses the Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP). It is also commonly called an authorization code, transfer code, or AuthInfo. The code serves as a secret credential that proves the domain holder’s consent to move the domain to a new registrar.

In practice, when a domain transfer is requested, the gaining registrar requires the domain’s EPPauthkode from the current registrar. The current registrar or the registry issues the code to the domain holder, who then provides it to the gaining registrar as part of the transfer request. The registry validates the domain status, the code, and any applicable authorization requirements before completing the transfer. Transfer times vary by top-level domain (TLD) and registrar procedures, but many transfers are completed within several days if the code is correct and the domain is unlocked.

Security and management: the EPPauthkode is a sensitive credential. It should be kept confidential and transmitted through secure channels. If a code is compromised, it should be revoked and regenerated. Many registrars offer additional protections, such as domain locks or two-factor authentication, to prevent unauthorized transfers.

Variability: while the concept is widely used across ICANN-accredited registrars, the exact mechanism, terminology, and expiration rules can differ between registries and TLDs. In EPP-based systems, the transfer authorization is fundamentally tied to the authInfo element and its value, which the gaining registrar must supply to initiate a transfer.