Domain Transfers Print

How does this whole domain transfer process work?  Well, it is really a simple process that is over complicated, but in it's simplest form, you need these three things.

1) The domain needs to be 'unlocked' at the current registrar.
2) You need the EPP Transfer Key if applicable for the TLD in question.
3) You need to read and respond to the confirmation emails that will be sent to the admin contacts.

If you should be changing website hosting providers make sure you load your website on the new host and change your Nameserver/DNS  Information before the transfer is started. If you do not you will be unable to change the nameserver/DNS information for up to 10 days.  

That is it's simplest form.  If the domain is locked (TransferProhibited) then the transfer process will fail.  If the TLD requires an EPP Transfer key and you don't have it, then the transfer process will fail.  If you don't read and respond to the email confirmation, then the transfer will fail.

You also may not be able to transfer a domain too close to the initial registration date, or too close to a renewal data - so make sure you get the transfers completed at least a few weeks before the domain is coming up for renewal.  Besides, the transfer process will include a year's renewal,  so you can transfer at any time without loosing any registration time at all.

If you do complete all of the steps, then the transfer process should take about 7-10 days to complete.
See other restrictions with Domain Transfers