No transfer code? Transfer your domain via an escalation

You want to transfer your domain name to Theory7, but your current provider will not give you the transfer code. Or it no longer responds at all. Annoying, but your domain name is not stuck. With an escalation we can still force the release of the transfer code, through the official route of the registry behind your extension.

In short

• Your provider must give you the transfer code within 5 days. If that does not happen, you can escalate.
• We handle the escalation for you, from the first request to the transfer itself.
• You pay a one-time fee of €79,95 excl. VAT per domain name. This also includes one year of renewal of your domain name at Theory7.
• Multiple domain names? Contact us for a custom quote.
• You only send a copy of your ID, and for a company an extract from the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK).

First check: is an escalation really necessary?

An escalation is for when your provider does not cooperate. So first go through these points, so you can be sure it is not down to something small:

• Have you already requested the code? With most providers you can do that in your customer portal. Requesting the transfer code for your domain name transfer explains how this works for each provider.
• Have you checked your spam folder? The code often arrives by email and quite often ends up in spam.
• Have 5 days passed? That is how long your provider may take.
• Are you registered as the registrant? Only the registrant of the domain name (the owner according to the registry) may request the code. If a web designer once registered the domain in their own name, the registrant must be changed first.

Do you have the code, but the transfer fails? Then see Domain transfer: common problems and solutions.

By extension: how to get your transfer code

Each extension has its own registry with its own rules. This is the route for each extension.

.nl domain name

Under SIDN's rules, your provider is required to give you the transfer code within 5 days. If it does not, we take over as your new registrar. We contact your current provider on your behalf, with your ID as proof that you are the registrant. If the provider still does not cooperate, we bring in SIDN. SIDN then makes sure the transfer code is made available after all.

.eu domain name

For .eu, too, your provider is your first point of contact. If it does not cooperate, EURid, the registry for .eu, has an emergency procedure: an emergency authorisation code. For this, the registrant signs an application form and shows that the code could not be obtained from the provider. We prepare the form for you, check everything and submit the application to EURid. All you have to do is sign.

.be domain name

For .be you do not need your provider. You request the transfer code yourself on the DNS Belgium website (dnsbelgium.be). The code is emailed to the registrant's email address and is valid for 7 days. It is free, so an escalation is not needed.

Email not arriving? Check your spam folder and add no-reply@dnsbelgium.be to your address book. Is the registrant's email address no longer correct? Then contact us. We will work out together how you can regain access to your domain name.

.com, .net, .org and other international extensions

ICANN's rules apply to these extensions. Your provider must give you the transfer code within 5 days of your request. If that does not happen, we hold your provider to it. If there is still no response, we file a complaint with ICANN together with you. ICANN then holds the provider to the rules.

Note: an international domain name that was registered or transferred less than 60 days ago cannot be transferred again yet. This sometimes also applies after a change of registrant. That is not unwillingness on your provider's part, but a fixed rule.

Our escalation service: €79,95 including one year of renewal

An escalation is manual work. We check your details, handle the correspondence with your old provider and the registry, and keep the file up to date until your domain name has arrived. For this you pay a one-time fee of:

€79,95 excl. VAT per domain name

Want to transfer multiple domain names through an escalation? Contact us and we will put together a custom quote.

In return you get:

• the complete escalation, from the first request up to and including the transfer;
• one year of renewal of your domain name at Theory7, so you do not pay for the first year separately;
• progress updates, so you always know where things stand;
• help with moving your DNS settings, so your website and email keep working.

You pay the amount in advance, as soon as we have confirmed that an escalation is possible. Do you have the transfer code? Then transferring to Theory7 is usually free through our domain name transfer page.

How it works, in 5 steps

1. You contact us. Email support@theory7.net with the subject "Escalatie domeinnaam" (domain name escalation) or create a ticket in your customer portal at my.theory7.net.
2. We check. We check whether you are registered as the registrant and which route applies to your extension. If everything is in order, you receive the invoice.
3. We escalate. After payment, we contact your old provider and bring in the registry where necessary.
4. The code is released. For .eu you sometimes receive the code yourself. In that case, forward it to us right away.
5. We transfer. As soon as the code is available, we start the transfer immediately. Your domain name will then be in your Theory7 account, including one year of renewal.

What to send us

• the domain name (or domain names) you want to transfer;
• which provider the domain name is currently with;
• when you requested the transfer code and what the response was (a forwarded email or screenshot helps);
• a copy of the registrant's ID (passport or ID card). Tip: hide your BSN (Dutch citizen service number) and passport photo with the Dutch government's (Rijksoverheid) KopieID app;
• is the domain name registered to a company? Then also a recent extract from the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel);
• has your name changed since registration, for example due to a marriage? Then also a document that shows this, such as a marriage certificate.

How long does it take?

That depends mainly on your old provider and the registry. Expect:

• .nl: the provider has 5 days, after which SIDN steps in if needed. Once the code is available, the transfer is complete within a few minutes.
• .eu: EURid reviews the emergency request and announces the outcome. After that, the transfer usually takes 1 to 5 days.
• .com, .net, .org and others: the provider has 5 days. With a complaint to ICANN it can take longer. The transfer itself then takes 5 to 7 days.

During the escalation, your domain name simply keeps working with your current provider. So your website and email do not go offline.

Frequently asked questions

Can my provider refuse to give me the transfer code?

Not just like that. As the registrant you are entitled to the transfer code, and the registries hold your provider to that. However, your contract with your old provider may still be running. A transfer does not automatically cancel that contract, and outstanding invoices still have to be paid.

What if my old provider has gone bankrupt or no longer exists?

We can help you in that case too. The registries have a separate procedure for that situation. Get in touch with us and we will go through it with you.

I want to transfer multiple domain names. What does that cost?

The price of €79,95 excl. VAT applies to one domain name. Do you have several domain names stuck with your old provider? Contact us at support@theory7.net. You will then receive a custom quote.

What happens to my website and email?

They keep working. During the escalation, your DNS settings stay with your old provider. When transferring, we help you move them over correctly. Want to bring your website or email to Theory7 as well? You can do that with our free migration service.

Need help?

Not sure whether an escalation suits your situation? Ask your question via the chat on our website or email support@theory7.net. We are happy to take a look with you.