Knowledgebase

When Do Domain Names Expire? What Are the Stages and Periods?

What is a Domain Expiry?

The domain expiry refers to the period for which a domain (website address) is registered. Typically, a domain can be registered for periods ranging from 1 to 10 years. At the end of this period, the domain must be renewed to remain active. If the renewal is not completed in time, the domain goes through certain stages and eventually becomes unavailable.

Domain Renewal Process and Periods

1. Active Period

   • During the active period, the domain is fully functional, and the owner holds all rights to it. The domain can be renewed anytime during this period, extending its registration for one or more years. Renewing the domain keeps it active for the extended period.

2. Expiration Period

   • If the domain is not renewed by its expiry date, it enters the expiration period. At this point, the domain registrar typically notifies the owner, and a grace period (0-45 days) is usually provided, depending on the registrar. The domain still belongs to the owner, and it can be renewed during this period.

3. Grace Period

   • After the expiration, there is a grace period, which generally lasts between 30 to 45 days. During this time, the owner can still renew the domain at the standard renewal fee. If the owner fails to renew the domain within this period, it moves to the next stage.

4. Redemption Period

   • If the domain is not renewed during the grace period, it enters a redemption period, which lasts for 30 days. At this point, the domain is no longer active, and any associated website or email services will no longer function. However, the domain can still be recovered by paying an additional redemption fee, which is higher than the standard renewal fee.

5. Pending Deletion Period

   • If the domain is not recovered during the redemption period, it moves to pending deletion status. This period lasts for 5 days, and during this time, the domain is completely unavailable for recovery.

6. Available for Registration

   • Once the pending deletion period is over, the domain is released back to the public and becomes available for anyone to register. Popular domain names are often quickly purchased once they become available.

Important Considerations During the Domain Expiry Process

1. Enable Auto-Renewal

   • To avoid domain expiry, you can enable automatic renewal, ensuring that the domain is renewed before it expires.

2. Keep Contact Information Updated

   • Ensure that the email address and contact details associated with the domain registration are always up to date. Expiry notifications are typically sent to the registered contact email.

3. High-Demand Domains

   • Popular domain names are often re-registered as soon as they are deleted. If your domain is valuable, make sure not to miss the renewal date.

Conclusion

Domain names are digital assets that need to be renewed periodically. If a domain expires, it goes through specific stages before becoming available for re-registration. By understanding these stages and being mindful of renewal periods, domain owners can avoid losing their domains.