Can you provide me with some information? I'll soon complete my first year of working with domains, and a few of them will expire next month. I recall hearing something about being restricted from transferring ownership within two months of the expiration date. What does this mean, exactly? In the event that I find a buyer for one of these domains, am I able to transfer it?

As we're focused on .COM domains, may I inquire as to what limitations they have?

- Typically, the transfer process takes place within 7 days and requires an authorization code which is obtained from the registrar.
- There is a restriction on transferring the domain for 60 days after its registration date.
- The registrar sends control requests to verify the functionality of the registrant's email address. If confirmation is not received, the domain will have its status set as clientHold, making it impossible to transfer.

During the domain's lifecycle, it cannot be transferred once the process of transferring it has concluded. After 31 days following the expiration date, the domain enters a redemption period during which it can be retrieved, but at a much higher cost (typically 10 times greater). On the 60th day, the domain begins the deletion process which continues for 15 days before the domain is officially deleted.

For domain names under .com, .net, .org and other similar zones:
Renewal of the domain name cannot be done earlier than 55 days prior to its expiration date. If the domain name is not renewed before the end of its registration period, the domain will be taken off delegation which will result in your website and email becoming unavailable.

After the registration period concludes, you will have a 30-day grace period during which you will receive preferential treatment for renewing the domain name. This will ensure that no one else can purchase your domain name during that time. However, if you are unable to renew the domain within this window, it will be queued for deletion from the registry and made available for free sale. This process lasts for an additional 5 days, giving you a total of 35 days to renew the domain name after the registration period ends.

Regarding the issue of transferring ownership within two months of the expiration date, it's essential to understand that domain transfers are subject to certain rules and timeframes set by the domain registry, in this case, Verisign for .COM domains.
Typically, when a domain is close to its expiration date, registrars often initiate a renewal process automatically unless instructed otherwise. However, if you intend to transfer ownership within the two-month window leading up to the expiration date, there might be restrictions in place. This restriction is primarily designed to prevent last-minute unauthorized transfers or changes to the domain status, ensuring the security and stability of the domain registration process.

In the event that you find a buyer for one of your domains, it's crucial to be aware of the specific transfer policies of your registrar and the guidelines set by the domain registry. Generally, it's possible to initiate a domain transfer even if the domain is close to its expiration date, but there might be additional steps or requirements to fulfill to facilitate a smooth transfer process.

Now, let's focus on the limitations of .COM domains. .COM is one of the most popular and widely used top-level domains globally, and as such, it's subject to certain restrictions and policies. One key limitation to consider is the requirement to adhere to the domain registration and renewal fees set by the registrar. Additionally, there are policies related to domain privacy and data protection, especially considering the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) compliance for registrants based in the European Union.

Furthermore, .COM domains are also subject to ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) regulations, which establish certain obligations and rights for domain registrants, including dispute resolution processes and compliance with registration information accuracy.
Navigating the domain industry involves understanding the intricate regulations and limitations associated with domain ownership and management. As you approach the expiration dates of your domains, it's advisable to closely review the specific terms and conditions provided by your registrar and the domain registry to ensure a seamless transition or transfer process while remaining compliant with the established guidelines.