Client Transfer Prohibited
A registrar-set lock that prevents the domain from transferring to another registrar.
- RDAP value
client transfer prohibited- Machine value
clientTransferProhibited- Applies to
- Domain
At a glance
- What it signals
- A registrar-set lock that prevents the domain from transferring to another registrar.
- Typical owner
- Sponsoring registrar
- Normality
- For a valuable or actively used domain, this is a common and often desirable security setting.
The sponsoring registrar has applied a lock that blocks transfer of the domain to a different registrar. Registrars commonly set this to protect against unauthorized transfer attempts; the registrant can usually ask the registrar to remove it.
What it means
Client Transfer Prohibited is a registrar-level lock that tells the registry to reject a transfer of the domain to another registrar. It does not prevent the current registrar from renewing the domain, updating every field, or continuing to provide DNS. Its main purpose is to reduce the risk of an unauthorized registrar transfer.
Who sets it
The sponsoring registrar sets and removes the status. Registrars may apply it by default, after a registrant requests extra protection, or while an account, contact change, payment, or security event is reviewed. The registry enforces the lock but normally cannot remove a client status at the registrant's request.
Is it normal?
For a valuable or actively used domain, this is a common and often desirable security setting. It becomes a problem only when you are trying to transfer the name, when the lock was applied without your knowledge, or when registrar policy leaves it in place after you have requested its removal.
Should the registrant act?
If you are not transferring the domain, no action is usually needed. Before an authorized transfer, confirm that the domain is unlocked, that the registrant contact and account are secure, and that any transfer eligibility requirements have been met. If you did not request a transfer but notice other unexpected changes, contact the registrar immediately.
How it can be removed
The registrar can remove the lock through its control panel or support process, subject to its identity and security checks. Some registrars call this an unlock or registrar lock setting. After removal, allow the registry and RDAP service to update, then retry the transfer only through the intended registrar.
Common status combinations
Client Transfer Prohibited commonly appears with Client Update Prohibited and Client Delete Prohibited as a standard protection bundle. It can coexist with Transfer Period after a completed transfer, or with Pending Transfer while a transfer is being processed. A Server Transfer Prohibited status has priority and requires registry involvement as well.
RDAP status defined in RFC 9083 §10.2.2. The corresponding domain status is defined by the EPP Domain Name Mapping in RFC 5731.