Domain name lifecycle refers to the series of stages a domain goes through from registration to expiration and deletion.
- Registration/Renewal: Domain names can be registered or renewed for period of 1-5 years as long as the period does not cut cross the maximum allowed period from the registration or renewal date.
- Active: The domain is fully functional and associated with a website or services.
- Domain name expires, Beginning of Renewal Grace Period: Once the domain name expires, it enters “Renewal Grace Period (RGP)” of 60 days within which it is available to the Registrant. During the first 30 days of the Renewal Grace Period, the domain owner through a Registrar, can renew their domain names at any time without penalty. However, a Registrar cannot transfer the domain name to another Registrar, unless it is renewed
- Redemption Grace Period: If the domain is not renewed, it enters the redemption phase, where the owner can still recover it at an additional cost.
- Deletion: If the domain is not reclaimed during the redemption period, it is deleted and available for re-registration.
- Suspension Period, End of Renewal Grace Period: From 30 days to 60 days after expiry, the domain name goes into Suspension Period; the same conditions stated above applies. During this period, the domain name is no longer available, and all services associated with the domain name (e.g., website, emails, etc.) will automatically not be available. The Registrant will only need to contact the Registrar for renewal.
- Sixty (60) days after expiration: Sixty days after the domain name expires, DNS server of the domain name is no longer available & all services associated with the domain name (e.g., website, emails) will automatically not be available. The domain goes into Redemption Period Status.
- End of Renewal Grace Period, Beginning of Redemption Period: At the end of Renewal Grace Period, the domain name goes into Redemption Period status for 28 days. During the “Redemption Period” the domain owner can still redeem their domain name through the Registrar with a domain restoration fee.
- Redemption Period Ends, Queued for Deletion: 88 days after expiration, the Redemption Period ends. The domain name will be placed in a “Pending Delete” status at the registry for up to 14 days. During this time, it is not possible for the Registrar to redeem, recover or renew the domain name. The only way to retrieve the domain is to make a request to the Registry through the Registrar.
- Domain name is Deleted, Made available for Registration: After the 14 days Pending Delete period, the domain name will be released by the Registry. At this point, the domain will be available to the general public for registration on “First come First served basis”.
