A registrar-level lock that prevents a domain from being transferred to another registrar without explicit authorization. You can't move your domain out until you unlock it and grab the EPP authcode.
Transfer locks exist to stop unauthorized transfers—theoretically good, practically a speed bump. Some registrars weaponize them: slow unlock processes, bury the button, make it phone-call-only. At bunkerdomains, you control the lock. Flip it on or off in seconds. No support tickets. No waiting.
Differs from registry lock, which is a registry-side mechanism (usually requires notarized requests, takes days). Transfer lock is cheaper and faster but weaker—a registrar employee can override it, whereas registry lock requires the registrant to prove their identity to the registry itself.
Why it matters: if you're serious about decentralization, you want to own your domains, not be hostage to a slow registrar. Also: some jurisdictions (like ICANN-governed spaces) require registrars to honor unlock requests within 5 days. We do it in hours.