Understanding the Different Types of Domain Locks

To safeguard your domains, security locks are placed to prevent unauthorized transfers and modifications. This will prevent the domain from being hijacked and other potential hazards, such as being transferred away to another registrar.

Different Types of Domain Locks

This section will explain the different types of security locks placed on your domain names.

Domain Legal Lock

The "Legal Lock" is intended to increase your domain's safety and security. Domains are typically locked due to suspicious activity to prevent fraudulent transfers, dispute resolutions, and more. A brief investigation will be required to unlock the domain for your safety. You will then be contacted within 1-2 business days. The duration of investigations and the process for releasing the lock may vary and will be communicated on a case-by-case basis.

Domain Transfer Lock

Domain Transfer Locks are in place to safeguard a domain name from unauthorized transfer out of your account. This extra layer of protection ensures that your registered domain names remain with you or your business, even if someone obtains your domain EPP authorization code.

Outbound Change of Registrar Lock

A lock status will be placed on the domain when certain changes are made to your account to ensure you receive the highest security protection when registering a domain name with us.

An Outbound Change of Registrar lock occurs when you update the following information in conjunction with a password reset.

• The Primary Contact name has been changed.
• The Primary Contact email address has been changed.
• The WHOIS Admin Contact email address has been changed.
• The WHOIS Admin Contact has been replaced.
• The User IDs are merged in the Customer Portal.
• The Primary Contact has been changed.

Please note that a 30-day lock will be placed on the following domain TLDs when certain account changes have occurred.

• .biz
• .cc
• .cn
• .com
• .info
• .mobi
• .name
• .net
• .org
• .tv
• .us

The OCRA Lock gets activated on the domain on the very day a change is made. If any more changes happen in the account later, the lock’s start date will be updated to the new change date. When certain changes are made to an account in conjunction with a password reset, all eligible domains currently residing in that account will be placed on an OCRA Lock. Purchasing or moving a new domain name to the account will not affect the new domain(s).

Change of Registrar (COR) Lock

The Change of Registrar (COR) Lock is placed on a domain to prevent domain hijacking and other potential hazards. If you are the Registrant or the primary account holder, any updates made to your contact information involving changes to the Registrant's name, email address, or organization name will result in a 60-day COR Lock on all domains associated with your account.

Checking the Domain Status in the Account Manager

1. Log in to your Account Manager.
2. Click Domains in the left-hand side menu.

   

3. Search for your domain.

   If you have a single domain in your account, you'll be redirected to the domain management page right away.

   If you have multiple domains in your account, please follow the steps below.

   Advanced view: Click the domain or its vertical ellipsis icon under the Actions column, and then select Manage.

   

   Summary view: Look for the domain and click its Settings button.

   

4. Within Domain Overview, you will find the status of the domain lock.

   

   You can also go to the Transfer or Move Domain section.

   

5. You can toggle the Transfer Lock on or off.
   When transferring a domain to a different account, person, or registrar, you can toggle the Domain Lock on or off. However, the COR Lock, which is mandated by ICANN, is automatically placed on a domain and will be lifted after 60 days.