When a domain name expires, it does not immediately disappear from your ownership. Instead, it usually goes through several stages. The exact rules may vary depending on the registrar and the domain extension (such as .com, .cn, .net, etc.), but the general process is as follows:
1. Expiration
If the domain is not renewed by the last day of its registration term:
- The domain may stop resolving immediately, making the website inaccessible.
- Services that depend on the domain, such as business email accounts, may also be interrupted.
2. Grace Period
This period typically lasts from 0 to 30 days after expiration (some registrars may offer a shorter grace period or none at all). During this time:
- The original registrant can usually renew the domain at the standard renewal price.
- The website and related services are generally suspended, but ownership of the domain is usually still retained by the original registrant.
3. Redemption Period
If the domain is not renewed during the grace period, many generic top-level domains (gTLDs), such as .com and .net, will enter the Redemption Period.
- This period generally lasts about 30 days, although the duration may vary depending on the domain extension. Some country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) may have shorter redemption periods or no standard redemption process.
- Redemption fees are typically much higher than standard renewal fees. Since redemption fees vary by domain extension, please refer to the Domain Pricing page or contact customer support for the final pricing.
4. Pending Delete
After the Redemption Period ends:
- The domain enters a Pending Delete status for approximately 5 days.
- During this stage, the domain cannot be renewed or restored.
5. Available for Registration Again
Once the Pending Delete period ends:
- The domain is released back to the public market.
- Anyone can register it.
- Popular domain names are often quickly acquired by domain investors, drop-catching services, or businesses.
Important Note
To avoid disruption to your domain name and related services, it is recommended to renew your domain before it expires.
