Domain Name Expiration Procedure

Do you ever wonder why you can't register a domain name even though it is past it's expiration date? Has your domain name expired, but you still want to renew it? Here is the process that domain names go through after they have expired and on their way to deletion from the registry.

Domain Name Registration

A domain name may be registered for up to a ten year period. Even upon renewal the domain name registration period can not extend past a ten year period.

Domain Name Expiration Date

A domain name may be registered for up to a ten year period. Even upon renewal the domain name registration period can not extend past a ten year period.

Domain Name Grace Period

For approximately 14 days the domain name will be in a "grace period". During this time the domain name will not be active and may be renewed without paying any additional fees.

Domain Name Redemption Period

At the end of the Grace Period the domain will enter a 30 day Redemption Period. Whois information (name, address, telephone numbers, etc.) will be deleted. The domain will still be inactive. The domain may be renewed by it's original owner for $150 + renewal fees. It is a manual process for the registry to add the name/address information back into the domain registry records, therefore, the process may take several days.

Domain Name Deletion

Five days after the end of the redemption period the domain name will be deleted from the registry and will be made available for anyone to register.

Although a domain name will not function after the expiration date you may still renew your domain name for up to 70 days. Please be aware that there are significant fees to renew the domain name after the grace period and during the Redemption Period.

Additional information concerning the Redemption Period can by found at the ICANN web site.