Domain Names and there Status

The redemption period is a Domain Registry period of up to 30 days that occurs when a domain name is deleted after having expired unrenewed. Instead of just getting deleted and returning to the pool of domain names available for registration, the existing registry keeps a hold on the domain name in what is technically know as REDEMPTION PERIOD. During this 30-day redemption period, the original domain registrant (owner of the domain) is allowed to retrieve the domain name from deletion by contacting their Registrar.

This process costs an additional fee.

This extra 30-day period - redemption period - extends the time available to renew expired domain names by 30 days. However, all names that enter the redemption period are removed from the zone files in the global DNS, as a result, any Web site or email services associated with the domain name gone into redemption period will stop working and would appear offline.

Pending Delete Phase

In addition, after the 30-day redemption period there is a 5-day Pending Delete Phase. When a domain is in Pending Delete Phase, no one is allowed to renew the domain and it cannot be yet registered because its still not returned to the public domain pool. After the 5-day Pending Delete Phase the Registry will release the domain name back into the public pool of available domain names enabling fresh registration.

Renew domain before redemption phase

It is strongly recommended that you renew your domain registration in time before the domain name is placed in redemption lock because once its placed in redemption, the zone files of such domain gets automatically removed from the Domain Name Service and associated website and email etc services will cease to work.

In order to know exactly when an expiring domain name will become available for re-registration by a new owner, you must understand the Status of a domain as listed in the whois database.

When looking at the results of a whois lookup, you will see a record similar in format to the one below:

Domain Name: VWDESIGNS>COM
Registrar: WEBNETICS UK.
Whois Server: whois.vwdesigns.com
Referral URL: http://www.vwdesigns.com
Name Server: NS1.WEBNETICS.NET
Name Server: NS5.WEBNETICS.NET
Status: REGISTRAR-LOCK
Updated Date: 20-oct-2003
Creation Date: 18-jan-1995
Expiration Date: 19-jan-2012

There is a line item in the lookup data labeled Status. In the case of this domain, the status is listed as REGISTRAR-LOCK.

Domain Status and What they mean

Listed below are the various states that can appear in this field, and what they mean - I put a star by the 2 states that you should look for if you're interested in expiring domains.

ACTIVE

This is the default status of a domain at registration time. The registry sets the domain to this status. The domain is modifiable by the registrar. The domain can be renewed. The domain SHALL be included in the zone file when in this status if the domain has at least one associated name server.

REGISTRY-LOCK

The registry sets the domain to this status. The domain cannot be modified or deleted by the registrar. The registry MUST remove the REGISTRY-LOCK status for the registrar to modify the domain. The domain can be renewed. The domain SHALL be included in the zone file when in this status if the domain has at least one associated name server.

REGISTRY-HOLD

The registry sets the domain to this status. The domain cannot be modified or deleted by the registrar. The registry MUST remove the REGISTRY-HOLD status for the registrar to modify the domain. The domain can be renewed. The domain SHALL NOT be included in the zone file when in this status.

REGISTRAR-HOLD

The registrar of the domain sets the domain to this status. The domain can not be modified or deleted when in this status. The registrar MUST remove REGISTRAR-HOLD status to modify the domain. The domain can be renewed. The domain SHALL NOT be included in the zone file when in this status.

REGISTRAR-LOCK

The registrar of the domain sets the domain to this status. The domain cannot be modified or deleted when in this status. The registrar MUST remove REGISTRARLOCK status to modify the domain. The domain can be renewed. The domain SHALL be included in the zone file when in this status.

REGISTRY-DELETE-NOTIFY

A domain is set on this status if it has expired and has child name servers that are hosting other domains. Only the registry may set this status. The domain SHALL be included in the zone file when in this status if the domain has at least one associated name server. The Redemption Service is implemented by applying the following statuses through which deleted names progress:

REDEMPTIONPERIOD

A domain name is placed in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status when a registrar requests the deletion of a name that is not within the Add Grace Period. A name that is in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status will not be included in the zone file. A registrar can not modify or purge a name in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status. The only action a registrar can take on a name in REDEMPTIONPERIOD is to request that it be restored. Any other registrar requests to modify or otherwise update the domain will be rejected. Unless restored, the domain will be held in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status for a specified number of calendar days. The current length of this Redemption Period is thirty calendar days.

PENDINGDELETE

A domain name is placed in PENDINGDELETE status if it has not been restored during the Redemption Period. A name that is in PENDINGDELETE status will not be included in the zone file. All registrar requests to modify or otherwise update a domain in PENDINGDELETE status will be rejected. A domain name is purged from the registry database a specified number of calendar days after it is placed in PENDINGDELETE status. The current length of this Pending Delete Period is five calendar days.

PENDINGRESTORE

A domain name is placed in PENDINGRESTORE status when a registrar requests restoration of a domain that is in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status. A name that is in PENDINGRESTORE status will be included in the zone file. Registrar requests to modify or otherwise update a domain in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status will be rejected. A domain name is returned to REDEMPTIONPERIOD status a specified number of calendar days after it is placed in PENDINGRESTORE unless the registrar submits a complete Registrar Restore Report to the Registry Operator. The current length of this Pending Restore Period is seven calendar days.

So, for those of you interested in registering previously registered - but now expiring domains: the domain will always go into REDEMPTIONPERIOD status before it is released to be re-registered.

It will remain in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status for 30 days at which time it will then move to PENDINGDELETE status. After 5 days in PENDINGDELETE status, the domain will be released to be re-registered.