Standard Domain Life Cycle for gTLDs

Wondering what happens after your domain expires?

The domain life cycle consists of various stages a domain goes through, from being available for registration to its expiration and possible deletion. Understanding these stages can help you maintain your domain and prevent losing it. The cycle can be broken down into the following phases:

Available

You can register a domain name once it’s available to the public. It is a first come first serve basis that anyone can obtain. If you already have a domain in mind, click here to check if its availability or feel free to explore other available extensions in case your desired one is already taken.

Active

Once your domain name is fully registered, it will appear as ‘Active’ in the WHOIS database. This indicates that you are the registered owner, and you have the ability to manage it with your preferred DNS settings. The minimum active period is one year, though some domain extensions can be registered or renewed for a longer duration, which you can choose during the registration process. Timely renewal of the domain will maintain your status as the domain owner.

Expired

At this stage, the domain name settings are disabled, meaning your website will go offline, and your email services will be halted. By default, auto-renewal is enabled for all your services to avoid interruptions, but you have the option to turn it off.

Domain expiration can still be renewed depending on the stage you’re in within the domain life cycle. If your domain is in the grace period, you can still renew it without any additional fees. Once it moves into the redemption period, the domain can still be restored, but a higher fee may apply. However, if the domain reaches the deletion stage, it may no longer be recoverable, and you’ll need to register a new domain. Timely renewal within these stages ensures that you retain ownership and avoid losing your domain.

Grace Period (30 days)

After the domain expires, the registrant is given a 30-day grace period to renew the domain without incurring any additional fees. This grace period starts from the expiration date. During this time, expired domain notifications are sent to the registrant’s email address.

Redemption Period (30 days)

If the registrant fails to renew the domain name within the 30-day grace period, it will enter the redemption state. During this period, the domain can still be restored, but a redemption fee will apply. The domain will remain in the redemption state for 30 days following the end of the grace period.

Pending Delete

If the registrant does not redeem the domain name within the 30-day redemption period, it will move into the pending delete stage. At this point, the domain can no longer be restored or recovered, and it will become available to the public after 5 business days (standard for gTLD extensions).

A little nudge: You will need to wait for the domain to become available for registration again. If you wish to secure the same domain name, your only option is to wait. Please keep in mind that domain registration operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and there is a possibility that someone else may register the domain before you, depending on how quickly you act.

To prevent this inconvenience, it’s important to renew your domain on time to avoid the risk of losing it.