Domain Name Transfers vs. Account Changes
After a domain name sale completes, the seller must move the domain name to the buyer's account. Depending on where the buyer's account is, the seller moves the domain name with a transfer or a change of account.
A transfer (registrar transfer) moves the domain name to an account with a third-party registrar. The buyer (new registrant) must initiate the transfer, which includes a one-year extension of the current registration period. For more information about initiating a transfer through your third-party registrar, contact your registrar.
A change of account (registrant transfer) moves the domain name to another account with the same registrar. The seller must initiate the change of account. The domain name expiration date does not change because a change of account does not include a registration extension. For more information, see Moving Sold Domain Names.