What happens after domain names expire?
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Last Updated:
October 11, 2017 10:00 AM
Once a domain name expires, it goes through many stages before being released to the open market. We send five renewal emails to the domain name's administrative contact prior to the expiration date. Below is a timeline based on .com domain names.
NOTE: These timelines do not apply to ccTLD domain names.
| Days after expiration | Action |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | We make the first of three billing attempts to renew the domain name. If the billing fails, the domain name expires. The domain name can be renewed by the registrant at no extra cost. |
| Day 5 | We make the second billing attempt. If the billing fails again, the domain name is parked. The domain name can still be renewed by the registrant at no extra cost. |
| Day 12 | We make the third and final attempt to renew the domain name. The domain name can still be renewable by the registrant at no extra cost. |
| Day 19 | The domain name can be renewed by the registrant for the cost of a one-year renewal plus an $80.00 redemption fee. |
| Day 26 | We add the domain name to an expired domain name auction. |
| Day 36 | The expired domain name auction ends. If there are no backorders and no bidders in the expired domain name auction, we list the domain name in a closeout auction. |
| Day 41 | The closeout auction ends. |
| Day 43 | We assign the domain name to the winner of the expired domain name auction, backorder, or closeout. If there are no bidders, we return the domain name to the registry. |
Note: A registrant can renew an expired domain name at no extra cost up to day 18. If they renew an expired domain name anytime between day 19 and day 42, they must also pay an $80.00 redemption fee. The domain name cannot be renewed after day 42.
