The time available to renew or restore your domain depends on its extension (TLD) and where it currently sits in the expiration process.
1. Right after expiration
Once your domain expires, it enters a short window before anything further happens to it. For most extensions, we wait at least 5 days after expiration before taking any further action for a small number of extensions with no grace period, this can happen sooner, so renewing before expiration is always the safest option. During this stage, your domain may stop resolving, but you can usually still renew it at the standard fee.
2. If the domain isn't renewed in time
If the renewal window passes, your domain may move into a recovery phase where:
- Standard renewal is no longer available
- Getting the domain back may require a Restore, which comes with an additional fee
- Whether Restore is possible and what it costs depends on the domain's exact status and the rules of the specific registry
We're happy to check this for you any time just reach out with your domain name and we'll confirm exactly where it stands.
3. Pending Delete and release
If a domain isn't renewed or restored in time, it eventually moves to Pending Delete at the registry level a short final stage before the domain is released back to the public. Once a domain reaches this point, we're no longer able to renew or restore it, so this is the one deadline worth watching closely.
A note on domains that reach this stage
If a domain isn't renewed and moves through this process, it may become available again for others to register, including through resale or auction channels. If that happens, we're not able to reverse it which is why we'd always rather help you renew or restore first if there's still time to do so.
A few things to keep in mind
- Timelines can vary by extension some TLDs have little to no grace period.
- Fees and options for renewal or restoration depend on your domain's exact status when you reach out.
- The safest move is always renewing before the expiration date, which avoids extra fees entirely.
Not sure where your domain stands? Contact our support team with your domain name and we'll check its current status and let you know exactly what your options are.