When a domain expires, it does not become immediately available for re-registration. It moves through a series of lifecycle stages — grace period, redemption, and pending delete — before being released back to the public. This article explains each stage and the options you have at each one.
About the expired domain lifecycle
After a domain expires, it enters a grace period during which it can be renewed normally. After the grace period, the domain enters a redemption period, where it can usually be recovered for an additional fee. At the end of redemption, the domain moves into pending delete and cannot be recovered. Once fully deleted from the registry, the domain is released and can be registered by anyone.
Warning: Renewal timing is critical. The further along the lifecycle a domain travels, the more expensive — or impossible — recovery becomes. Renew during the grace period whenever possible.
Recovery overview
Stage | Recoverable? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
Grace period | Yes | Standard renewal fee |
Redemption | Yes | Redemption fee + renewal cost |
Pending delete | No | Not available |
Re-register after release | Yes — not guaranteed | Standard registration (first come, first served) |
Grace period
The grace period begins immediately after the domain expires. During this stage you can renew the domain through your account without any extra fee — only the standard renewal cost applies.
Grace periods typically last 30 days for TLDs that support them, including .com, .org, and .net. Some TLDs do not offer a grace period at all.
Note: If you do not see the option to renew, your TLD may not support a grace period. Contact Exact Hosting Support to confirm what is available for your specific domain.
Warning: Renewal during the grace period is only possible before the period ends. Once the grace period closes, the domain can be subject to auction and removed from your account.
Redemption
During the redemption phase, the domain has been returned to the domain registry. Exact Hosting can attempt to redeem the domain on your behalf, but the registry charges a redemption fee on top of the renewal cost.
The redemption fee is $175 USD plus the standard renewal cost for your TLD.
The redemption phase typically lasts 30 days, but this timeframe is not guaranteed and varies by registry. To attempt to recover a domain in redemption, contact Exact Hosting Support.
Pending delete
Once redemption ends, the domain enters pending delete. At this point the registry is in the process of deleting the domain and releasing it back to the public registration pool. This stage typically lasts between one and five days.
A domain in pending delete cannot be redeemed. You must wait until the domain is fully released before attempting to register it again.
Re-registering a released domain
If you decide not to pay the redemption fee, your remaining option is to wait until the domain is released after pending delete and then attempt to register it again.
- Use a WHOIS lookup to check the current status of the domain.
- Once the lookup shows the domain as available, register it through your Exact Hosting Portal as you would any new domain.
Warning: After release from pending delete, the domain goes to whoever registers it first. Drop-catching services and competing buyers may register it ahead of you. Waiting carries a substantial risk that the domain will be lost permanently.
Next steps
- Enable auto-renewal on domains you want to keep so they never enter the grace period unintentionally. See Managing domain auto-renewal status.
- Renew expired domains immediately during the grace period to avoid redemption fees.
- Contact Exact Hosting Support if a domain is in redemption and you want to attempt recovery.
Questions? Contact Exact Hosting Support.
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