
A domain transfer (also called a registrar transfer) means moving your domain from one registrar to another — the domain remains yours, you are simply changing who manages it. People transfer registrars to get better service, more competitive pricing, or to consolidate their domain and hosting under one provider. This guide explains the complete process of transferring your domain to AsiaGB.
Prerequisites Before You Transfer
Before starting the transfer process, verify that your domain meets all of these conditions:
- Domain must be older than 60 days since its original registration or last transfer (ICANN policy)
- Domain must not be locked — the Registrar Lock (also called Client Transfer Prohibited) must be disabled
- WHOIS contact email must be active — you will receive a confirmation email during the transfer process
- Domain must not expire within 15 days (some registrars require 30 days)
- No active disputes — such as a UDRP complaint
Step 1 — Unlock Your Domain at the Current Registrar
Log in to your current registrar's control panel. Find the domain lock setting — it may be labelled "Domain Lock", "Transfer Lock", or "Registrar Lock" — and switch it to Unlocked or Off. This lock exists to prevent unauthorized transfers away from the current registrar. After unlocking, wait a few minutes before proceeding, as some registrars apply a short delay before the status takes effect.
Step 2 — Obtain the EPP Code (Auth Code)
The EPP Code, also called the Authorization Code or Auth Code, is a password that authorizes the transfer. Request it from your current registrar:
- Log in to your current registrar's domain management panel
- Look for an option labelled "Get EPP Code", "Auth Code", or "Transfer Authorization Code"
- The code will be sent to the WHOIS contact email address or displayed on-screen
- Save this code — it typically expires within 7 days
Note: For Thai country-code domains (.co.th, .in.th), the transfer process differs from generic TLDs like .com because these domains are managed by THNIC. AsiaGB can assist with the documentation and procedures for Thai domain transfers — please contact our support team for guidance. We only submit the request — the outcome is not guaranteed until THNIC approves it.
Transfer Costs and Pricing
A domain transfer typically involves two fees: the transfer processing fee and an automatic one-year renewal extension that most registrars add. The table below summarizes typical costs for popular TLDs at AsiaGB:
| Domain Extension | Transfer Fee (includes +1yr renewal) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| .com | See AsiaGB domain pricing | +1 year added automatically |
| .net | See AsiaGB domain pricing | +1 year added automatically |
| .co.th / .in.th | Contact AsiaGB support | Additional documentation required |
| .org | See AsiaGB domain pricing | +1 year added automatically |
Check the latest pricing at the AsiaGB domain page — prices may vary based on exchange rates and registry fee changes.
Common Problems During Domain Transfers
Although the transfer process is straightforward in most cases, several issues commonly cause failures or delays. Understanding them ahead of time will help you resolve problems quickly if they arise:
- WHOIS Privacy hiding your email: If your domain has WHOIS Privacy enabled, confirmation emails may be routed to a proxy address rather than your real inbox. Temporarily disable WHOIS Privacy before initiating the transfer, or configure the privacy service to forward transfer-related emails to you.
- EPP Code expired: EPP Codes typically expire within 7–15 days. If you wait too long between requesting the code and submitting the transfer, you will need to request a new one from your current registrar.
- Domain still showing as locked: After unlocking, some registrars take up to 30–60 minutes to update the status. Wait and retry before assuming there is a problem.
- Invalid WHOIS contact email: If the WHOIS email is outdated or unreachable, update your contact information first and allow 12–24 hours for the WHOIS database to reflect the change before starting the transfer.
- Registrar making transfer difficult: Some registrars intentionally complicate the process with phone verification requirements or lengthy delays. If you encounter obstruction, contact AsiaGB support for guidance on how to proceed.
Important: Do Not Change DNS Before the Transfer Completes
A common mistake is updating nameservers or DNS records immediately after submitting the transfer request — usually in an attempt to "pre-configure" the new hosting. This can cause several problems:
- Website downtime: If your current hosting still holds your files but DNS now points to a new server with no content yet, your site will display errors immediately.
- Lost email: Changing MX records during a transfer can cause email loss during the DNS propagation window.
- Verification complications: DNS changes mid-transfer can sometimes confuse the new registrar's verification systems and add delays.
Best practice: Wait for the transfer to fully complete, then update your DNS settings through the AsiaGB client area. AsiaGB provides a full DNS management interface where you can set nameservers, A records, MX records, and more once the domain is under your account.
What Happens to Your Website and Email During Transfer?
One of the most common concerns before initiating a transfer is whether the site and email will stay online. The answer is yes — a domain transfer is purely a change of administrative control and does not affect DNS or hosting:
- Your current nameservers remain active throughout the entire transfer process
- All DNS records (A, CNAME, MX, TXT) stay exactly as they are until you deliberately change them
- Website visitors experience no interruption — the site resolves normally using existing DNS
- Email delivery continues without interruption — MX records are unchanged
- SSL certificates are not affected by the registrar change
The only time you would experience downtime is if you deliberately change DNS settings yourself during or after the transfer. AsiaGB recommends completing the transfer first, then making a planned DNS migration if you are also moving hosting.
Step 3 — Create an Account and Submit Transfer at AsiaGB
- Register an account at billing.in.th/register.php
- Go to the domain section and select Transfer Domain
- Enter your domain name and the EPP Code obtained in Step 2
- Choose the renewal period (transfers typically add 1 year to the expiry date automatically)
- Complete payment for the transfer fee
Step 4 — Approve the Transfer via Email
After submitting the transfer request, your current registrar will send a confirmation email to the WHOIS contact email address for the domain. You must click Approve or Confirm within the timeframe given (usually within 5–7 days). If you take no action, many registrars auto-approve the transfer after 5 days in accordance with ICANN policy.
Step 5 — Wait for the Transfer to Complete
The transfer process generally takes 3–7 business days. During this period:
- Your website and email continue to work normally — DNS settings do not change during the transfer
- You can continue using your current hosting provider without interruption
- AsiaGB will notify you by email once the transfer is complete
After Transfer — Configure Your DNS
Once the domain is under AsiaGB management, you can configure DNS immediately through the AsiaGB client area. If you want to move your hosting to AsiaGB as well, simply update the nameservers to point to AsiaGB's servers. If you want to keep your current hosting provider, leave the DNS settings as they are — the transfer only changes the registrar, not the DNS records.
Transfer Your Domain to AsiaGB Today
AsiaGB accepts domain transfers for .com and over 500 other TLDs — with free DNS management, WHOIS Privacy, and Thai-language support included. Transfer now and keep everything in one place.
Transfer Domain to AsiaGB