Knowledge Base
What Happens If My Domain Name Expires?
Domain names, commonly called domains, usually go through four separate stages in their "domain lifecycle." These stages, in order, are active, expired, redemption period, and pending deletion. Upon purchasing a domain name, the length of the active stage is determined by the chosen term. Depending on the top-level domain (TLD), a domain can be bought or renewed for 1 to 10 years.
If a domain is not renewed while active, it will expire, going into its expiration phase. This article will provide a timeline of what happens before and after a domain expires.
After a Domain Expires
If we cannot secure payment on or before the domain renewal date, your domain will expire.
- As early as one day after expiration, the domain name will be deactivated, and your website will be replaced with a "parked" page indicating the domain name has expired. Other services associated with the domain name, such as email or your website, will no longer function.
- As early as 30 days after expiration, a third party may purchase the domain name.
- If a third party buys the domain name after this 30-day period, it will not be available for you to renew.
- For some ccTLDs, this could begin as early as 26 days.
- Approximately 45 days after expiration, depending on your registrar, the expired domain name enters its Redemption Period phase. You can renew the domain with a $99.95 redemption fee and the regular domain renewal fee by contacting Customer Support.
- The domain will not enter the redemption period if it is renewed or a third party buys it before this period begins.
- The redemption period is normally 30 days.
- After the redemption period, the domain name will be in the Pending Deletion phase for approximately five days. Once in this status, the domain cannot be redeemed or changed in any way.
To learn more about the redemption period, please read the following article:
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