Domain life cycle for .com and other international domains
International domains such as .com, .net, .org, .info and .biz follow the same life cycle, set by ICANN and each registry. Here’s what happens at each stage. For Nigerian domains, see the .ng domain name life cycle instead.
1. Registered
Section titled “1. Registered”You can register or renew an international domain for 1 to 10 years at a time. While it’s active, your website and email work normally, and you can renew it at any time.
2. Expired: grace period (days 1–30)
Section titled “2. Expired: grace period (days 1–30)”On the expiry date, the domain stops working. Your website and email go offline. You have 30 days to renew it at the normal renewal price. As soon as you renew, everything comes back.
3. Redemption (days 31–60)
Section titled “3. Redemption (days 31–60)”If you don’t renew during the grace period, the domain enters a 30-day redemption period. It can still be restored, but only through support, and a restoration fee applies on top of the renewal. See Renewing an expired domain.
4. Pending delete (about 5 days)
Section titled “4. Pending delete (about 5 days)”After redemption, the registry schedules the domain for deletion. It can’t be renewed or restored at this stage, by you or by us.
5. Released
Section titled “5. Released”The domain is deleted and becomes available to the public. Anyone can register it, including people who watch for expiring domains.