Transfer a domain name

Date adopted: 
August 16, 2020
Last update: 
July 23, 2021

The Government of Yukon must own all public-facing government domain names.

If you've purchased a domain name without following the government's processes, you'll have to follow these steps before your website or service can be released to the public.

If you have tight timelines, it's important to note that in some instances, .ca domain names cannot be transferred for 60 days after they've been registered. If the domain name can be transferred, this process can take up to two weeks.

Transfer a domain name to the government

  1. The current owner of the domain name will work with their registrar to unlock and prepare the domain for transfer.
    • They will sign into their domain registrar account and disable, or set the domain transfer lock to "Off."
    • Have them check the administrative and owner contact to ensure they are set to an email address from which you can send and receive messages.
  2. The registrar will provide you with the authorization code once the domain is unlocked and ready.
  3. Email the authorization code to service.desk@yukon.ca. This code is time sensitive so make sure you email it as soon as you get it from your registrar.
  4. A transfer email will be sent to the administrative and owner contact. The email will contain a link to confirm or cancel the transfer. Choose confirm.
  5. It usually takes 24 to 48 hours for a domain to transfer to the government. Once it transfers, it is registered and the government controls it.
  6. The government will continue to renew the domain until the department no longer needs it.