The new ICANN transfer policy taking effect from Nov 12th will change the way domain transfers – and I fear hijacks – will take place…

The new registrar will only send an authorization email to the email address of the administrative contact based on the domain name's WHOIS record. Whoever has access to that email must either confirm or deny the request.

But here's the change: whether you receive it or not, the default result is that the registrar or reseller MUST release the domain name from their systems & transfer it to the new one.

Standard exceptions still apply, though:

1. Domain must still be paid. Better you do this at least 30 days before expiration.
2. Domain must not be "locked".
3. Domain must not be in any sort of dispute.

Assuming at least those 3 exceptions don't apply to your

domain name, your transfer will push thru without a hitch.