Domain Expiration Protection: What You Need to Know
Domain Expiration Protection (DEP) is a product that works like an insurance for your registered domain. It ensures that your domain stays safe and secure for up to one year if your credit card cannot be charged or you cannot renew the domain name on time. DEP also protects you from the high reinstatement fees typically associated with expiry.
Domain Expiration Protection is a must-have add-on. It protects your investment by keeping you from permanently losing your domain due to payment issues or having to repurchase your domain from a reseller at a hefty price.
- You can add Domain Expiration Protection to a domain anytime prior to its expiration.
- Domain Expiration Protection does not support ccTLDs. Refer to the Register and Transfer Country Code Domains (ccTLDs & ccSLDs) article for a list of all ccTLDs.
- Domain Expiration Protection currently doesn't support the following TLDs. If there are domains with these extensions, we will turn off Auto-Renew and then delete and refund any active DEP products.
- .eu, .ac, .am, .be, .de, .fm, .io, .nl, .sh, .co.uk, .me.uk, .org.uk, .at, .ch, .cz, .es, .com.es, .nom.es, .org.es, .jp, .li, .mx, .com.mx, .nu, .co.nz, .net.nz, .org.nz, .pl, .ru, .sg, and .tk
In this article, we will discuss:
- How to Purchase Domain Expiration Protection ⤵
- Understanding The Life Cycle of Domain Expiration Protection ⤵
- Frequently Asked Questions ⤵
How to Purchase Domain Expiration Protection
There are 2 ways to purchase Domain Expiration Protection.
Domains tab
- Log in to your Customer Portal.
- In your Customer Portal, click the Domains tab on the left-side navigation menu.
- If you have a single domain in your account, you will be redirected to the Overview menu right away.
If you have multiple domains, a list will appear. Click the domain name you want to manage.
- In the Overview menu, look for the Expiration Protection card. If the card indicates "Unprotected," it means you currently do not have a subscription for Domain Expiration Protection. Click on the Add Expiration Protection link to purchase a subscription.
- In the pop-up window, click the BUY NOW button.
If you don't have a valid payment method, please add one to your account profile. Refer to this article, What Forms of Payment Do You Accept?, for instructions.
- Complete your payment transaction.
Marketplace
- Log in to your Customer Portal.
- In your Customer Portal, click the MARKETPLACE on the left-side navigation menu.
- In the Domains section, locate the Expiration Protection card, and then click the CLAIM OFFER button.
- In the pop-up window, click the BUY NOW button.
If you don't have a valid payment method, please add one to your account profile. Refer to this article, What Forms of Payment Do You Accept?, for instructions.
- Complete your payment transaction.
Understanding the Life Cycle of Domain Expiration Protection
The Domain Expiration Protections product only has two life cycle statuses: active and deleted. When the DEP product expires, the life cycle is still active. A year after the domain expires, the product will be deleted.
The following is a breakdown of DEP’s life cycle after the domain expires:
- Day 0 – The DEP will extend the expiration date of your domain name registration by one year. All associated services with the domain will stop working during this time, but the domain will remain under your ownership. However, the domain name will be inactive until it is renewed.
- Day 2 – The domain deactivates; DEP activates.
- With DEP active, the domain will NOT get deleted.
- Day 360 – An email will be sent to you indicating that your domain is about to be deleted.
- 1 Year – The domain is set to be deactivated, and DEP will be deleted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Domain Expiration Protection (DEP) work?
Upon purchase of the Domain Expiration Protection (DEP) product, the domain is protected as long as the domain is active. If you buy or renew your domain for 1 year and add DEP, the protection is good until the end of that year. It will not carry over if you renew for additional years after the transaction unless you renew the DEP product.
What happens if I forget to renew my domain?
Domain Expiration Protection (DEP) will kick in, so you have nothing to worry about. DEP will protect your domain for 1 year until your domain renews again.
Once Domain Expiration Protection (DEP) is activated, you must still pay for the domain renewal to restore all the functionality.
How long does Domain Expiration Protection (DEP) last?
Domain Expiration Protection (DEP) is one flat price that lasts for your domain term. If you purchase or renew your domain for 1 year, it will last for 1 year. If you purchase or renew your domain for 8 years, it will last 8 years. DEP is connected to your domain purchase and offers extra value and longer-term protection when purchasing or renewing the associated domain for extended periods. However, if you renew the domain without renewing the Domain Expiration Protection (DEP) product, the expiration date will no longer be synced, and Domain Expiration Protection (DEP) won't be able to protect it.