Domain Transfer Status: What It Means & What You Should Do
Understanding your domain’s transfer status can help you stay in control of your website and prevent unwanted changes. If you're in the process of transferring your domain—or just checking on its current state—you might come across unfamiliar status codes. These codes can often be found in your Account Manager or a WHOIS lookup and provide important details about your domain’s current condition.
This article explains what each domain transfer status means, why it appears, and what actions (if any) you may need to take. Whether you're renewing your domain, transferring it to a new registrar, or just making updates, knowing these statuses can help you avoid delays and keep your domain secure.
What is a Domain Transfer Status?
A domain transfer status is a code that shows the current state of your domain during its lifecycle—especially when it’s being transferred between registrars (domain providers). These statuses are part of the official WHOIS database and are regulated by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), the global authority for domain name management.
Each status tells you something about what’s happening behind the scenes—whether your domain is locked, being updated, in a waiting period, or flagged for review. These codes are important because they help protect your domain from unauthorized changes and show if any action is needed on your part.
By understanding what these statuses mean, you can:
- Avoid delays or failed transfers,
- Know when your domain is safe and secure,
- Spot suspicious activity early,
- And take action quickly if something doesn’t look right.
Check out the How to Transfer A Domain Name To Us article to learn how to transfer your domain to us.
Note:
- To learn more about domain name status codes, please see ICANN’s EPP Status Codes | What Do They Mean, and Why Should I Know? documentation.
- You can also check our How to Transfer A Domain Name To Us article to learn how to transfer your domain to us.
What are the Common Registrar Statuses?
Every domain has a status code that tells you what’s happening with it—whether it’s active, transferring, expired, or locked for security. These codes are provided by ICANN and can be found via a WHOIS lookup or in your registrar’s dashboard (like Bluehost's Account Manager).
Below is an easy-to-understand list of common status codes you might see—and what they mean for you as a domain owner.
| Status Code | What it Means for You | What You Should Do |
|---|---|---|
addPeriod |
This is a short, standard grace period right after you first register your domain. | No action is needed. This is normal for newly registered domains and usually lasts a few days. |
autoRenewPeriod |
Your domain was automatically renewed by the system, and this is a brief grace period following that renewal. | If you don't want the domain renewed, please contact Bluehost immediately to discuss cancellation options and avoid charges. Otherwise, no action is needed. |
clientDeleteProhibited |
Bluehost has applied a lock preventing your domain from being deleted. This is a security measure against accidental or unauthorized deletion. | This is often a recommended security setting. If you need to delete the domain, you must first contact Bluehost or use your control panel to remove this lock. |
clientHold |
Bluehost has put your domain on hold and is deactivating it which casues interruption to the services associated with the domain like website, email, and others. This is typically due to non-payment, failure to verify contact information or policy violations. | Please contact Bluehost immediately to find out why and resolve the issue (e.g., make payment or verify your email address). Once resolved, we can remove the hold status. |
clientRenewProhibited |
Bluehost has applied a setting preventing your domain from being renewed. This is uncommon and is often related to payment disputes or specific account issues. | Please contact Bluehost to understand why this is set and resolve the underlying issue if you wish to renew your domain. |
clientTransferProhibited |
Bluehost has applied a lock preventing your domain from being transferred to another registrar. This is a standard security measure (often called Registrar Lock or Transfer Lock). | This lock protects against unauthorized transfers. If you want to transfer your domain away, you must first contact Bluehost or use your control panel to remove this lock. |
clientUpdateProhibited |
Bluehost has applied a lock preventing updates to your domain's details (like contacts or nameservers). This helps prevent unauthorized changes. | This adds security. If you need to update your domain information, you must first contact Bluehost or use your control panel to remove this lock. |
inactive |
Your domain isn't connected to any hosting or web service (it lacks Nameserver records). It won't load online. | You need to add the correct Nameservers provided by your hosting or service provider. Please contact Bluehost if you need help setting this up or if there might be documentation required for your domain type. |
ok |
This is the standard, active status for your domain. It's ready to use and can be modified or transferred. | This is the normal state. For added security against unauthorized actions, consider asking Bluehost to add locks like clientTransferProhibited if you don't plan immediate changes. |
pendingCreate |
Bluehost has received your request to register this domain, and it's currently being processed by the central registry. | Usually no action needed and you can just wait for the confirmation from Bluehost. If the domain registration involved special conditions (like a pre-registration phase) or if you weren't the one who requested it, please contact Bluehost. |
pendingDelete |
This domain has passed the redemptionPeriod and is now scheduled for permanent deletion very soon. Once deleted, it becomes available for anyone to register. | Recovery is highly unlikely now. Please contact Bluehost instantly to see if any last-minute options exist (though unlikely), but prepare for the domain to be permanently deleted. |
pendingRenew |
Bluehost has received your request to renew this domain, and it's currently being processed. | If you didn't request this renewal and don't want the domain, contact Bluehost immediately to discuss cancellation. Otherwise, no action is needed. |
pendingRestore |
You've requested to restore your domain from the 'Redemption Period', and Bluehost is processing this with the registry. We might need documentation from you. | Ensure you provide any requested documentation promptly (usually within 7 days). Monitor the status; if it reverts to redemptionPeriod, contact Bluehost immediately to fix any issues with the restoration process. |
pendingTransfer |
A request has been submitted to transfer this domain to a different registrar, and it's being processed. | If you did not authorize this transfer, contact Bluehost immediately to reject it. If you initiated the transfer, just wait for it to complete (usually takes 5-7 days). |
pendingUpdate |
A request to update your domain's information (like contact details or nameservers) has been received and is being processed. | If you did not request this update, please contact Bluehost immediately. Otherwise, no action is needed. |
redemptionPeriod |
Your domain has expired and wasn't renewed in time. It's now in a 30-day hold period where you can still recover (restore) it, but usually at a higher cost (renewal fee + redemption fee). Your website/email will not work. | If you want to keep your domain, please contact Bluehost immediately to start the restoration process and pay the required fees. Don't delay, as after this period, it moves to pendingDelete. |
renewPeriod |
This is a short grace period after you manually renewed your domain through Bluehost. | Usually no action needed. If you renewed by mistake, please contact Bluehost quickly to see if cancellation is possible. |
serverDeleteProhibited |
The central registry (not just Bluehost) has locked your domain, preventing deletion. This is uncommon and often related to legal issues, disputes, or registry-level locks for security. | Please contact Bluehost to understand why this lock is in place and what steps are needed to resolve the underlying issue. If you need to delete the domain, the issue must be resolved first, and we'll need to request removal from the registry. |
serverHold |
The central registry has put your domain on hold, deactivating it (your website or email will not work). This can be due to various reasons, such as disputes, non-compliance, or pending investigations. | Please contact Bluehost immediately to find out the reason for the hold and how to resolve it. Resolving this will often require coordination with the central registry. |
serverRenewProhibited |
The central registry is preventing your domain from being renewed. This is rare, usually due to legal disputes or because the domain is marked for deletion. | Please contact Bluehost immediately. This indicates a serious issue that needs to be resolved. You must address the underlying problem before the domain can be renewed. |
serverTransferProhibited |
The central registry has locked your domain, preventing transfer to another registrar. Often linked to legal disputes, domain status issues (like redemption), or high-security registry locks. | Please contact Bluehost to understand the reason. If you want to transfer the domain, the underlying issue or lock must be removed first, which requires us to coordinate with the registry. |
serverUpdateProhibited |
The central registry has locked your domain, preventing updates to its details. Typically related to legal issues, disputes, or registry locks. | Please contact Bluehost to find out why. If you need to update your domain, the lock must first be removed by resolving the issue and requesting the registry lift the restriction through us. |
transferPeriod |
This is a short grace period after your domain was successfully transferred to Bluehost (or another new registrar). | No action is needed. This is informational after a transfer. If you didn't authorize the transfer, contact your original registrar immediately. |
Related Articles
- Domain WHOIS Update and Verification
- How to Obtain a Transfer Authorization (EPP) Code
- How to Transfer A Domain Name To Us
- How to Troubleshoot Common Domain Transfer Issues
- How to Update Contact Information
- The Different Types of Domain Locks
Summary
Domain status codes may look technical, but they play a key role in helping you manage your domain safely and confidently. Most statuses are simply informative, showing that your domain is active, newly registered, or in the middle of a standard process like renewal or transfer.
However, some statuses can indicate an issue—such as a block, a pending deletion, or a missing DNS setup—that may require your attention. By understanding what each status means and knowing when to contact your registrar, you can:
- Avoid unexpected domain issues or downtime,
- Protect your domain from unauthorized changes or transfers, and
- Stay on top of renewals, transfers, and updates.
If you’re ever unsure about a domain status you see, don’t hesitate to reach out to your registrar for help. Staying informed is the best way to keep your domain—and your website—running smoothly.
If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us via Chat or Phone:
- Chat Support - While on our website, you should see a CHAT bubble in the bottom right-hand corner of the page. Click anywhere on the bubble to begin a chat session.
- Phone Support -
- US: 888-401-4678
- International: +1 801-765-9400
You may also refer to our Knowledge Base articles to help answer common questions and guide you through various setup, configuration, and troubleshooting steps.