Where can I find my AuthCode?
To generate an AuthCode for the transfer of your domain, you can do so via the hosting.fr client portal as follows:
- Select the “Products” menu.
- Select the “Domains” menu.
- In the overview, under the domain you want to transfer, choose “Show details”. (If you manage many domains, you may first need to select “Show all” or search for the desired domain.)
- Scroll down to the “Transfer” menu and select “Edit”.
- Set the button to “Allow transfer” to “On” and save. After saving, the AuthInfo code for your domain is displayed.
Please note that when transferring multiple domains, a separate AuthCode must be created for each domain.
Please also note that transferring your domain to another provider does not automatically cancel the associated web hosting product. Additional products reserved with hosting.fr must be canceled separately from the domain transfer, otherwise they will continue to be billed. Fees for a reserved web hosting package also apply if the included domain has been transferred to another provider, unless you submit a cancellation for the web hosting.
What an AuthCode is and when you need it
An AuthCode (also known as an AuthInfo code) is an authorization code used to confirm that you are entitled to transfer a domain to another registrar. It acts as a security mechanism to prevent unauthorized domain transfers and is required by most domain endings before a transfer can be initiated.
An AuthCode is always generated per domain and must be provided to the new provider during the transfer process. In some cases, the validity of an AuthCode can change. For example, if ownership or contact details of the domain are modified, an existing AuthCode may become invalid and must be regenerated.
For certain domain endings, additional rules apply. .de domains, for example, typically have a limited AuthCode validity period (up to 30 days). If the transfer is not started within this timeframe, a new code must be created. Some country-code domains follow different transfer models and may not use AuthCodes in the same way.
Transfer readiness checklist before generating the AuthCode
Creating an AuthCode is only one part of the transfer process. To avoid downtime, failed transfers, or data loss, the domain and its connected services should be prepared in advance.
Before generating and using the AuthCode, review the following points:
- Do not cancel the domain before starting the transfer. A transfer should always be initiated using an AuthCode. Cancelling the domain first can lead to deletion before the transfer completes.
- Create backups of the websites, databases, and email data associated with the domain. After the transfer, access to these services may no longer be available.
- Start the transfer well before the contract end date to avoid accidental deletion or automatic renewal.
- Review current DNS settings and document them, especially if you plan to change nameservers during or after the transfer.
- Ensure that the domain owner’s contact email address is accessible, as confirmation emails may be required during the transfer.
Preparing these points in advance significantly reduces the risk of service interruption.
Secure handling of the AuthCode
An AuthCode authorizes the transfer of a domain and should be treated as sensitive information. Improper handling can result in unauthorized transfer attempts or delays.
The AuthCode should only be shared with the new provider or a trusted administrator performing the transfer. Avoid placing the code in unsecured locations such as public tickets, shared documents, or screenshots. If the AuthCode is accidentally exposed or sent to the wrong recipient, it is best practice to generate a new one and discard the old code.
Keep the AuthCode only for as long as it is needed and limit access to people directly involved in the transfer. Following these basic precautions helps protect your domain during the migration process.
Troubleshooting: common transfer issues
If a domain transfer does not proceed as expected, the issue is usually related to the AuthCode itself or the domain’s current status.
If the AuthCode is rejected, generate a new code and retry the transfer. This is especially important if domain ownership or contact details were changed recently, as older codes may no longer be valid. For .de domains, also check whether the code may have expired due to the validity limit.
If an AuthCode cannot be generated, verify that the domain has not been deleted. AuthCodes cannot be created for deleted domains; the domain must first be restored, which may involve additional costs.
In cases where a transfer does not complete immediately, additional confirmation may be required depending on the domain ending. Without confirmation, some transfers complete automatically after a waiting period.
When transferring multiple domains, always confirm that a separate AuthCode was generated and used for each domain.