Domain Redemption Period
What is Domain Redemption?
Domain redemption occurs when domain owners fail to renew their domain during the Auto-Renew Grace (AGP) period. During the AGP, which may last up to 45 days, a domain owner can renew their domain at a regular renewal price. After the AGP, the domain enters the Redemption Grace Period (RGP) or domain redemption.
The Domain Redemption Period, which lasts for 30 days, allows the domain owner to recover their domain before it is released back into the general pool of domains available for anyone to register. There is a fee to redeem a domain, which is paid to the registry itself and cannot be waived.
Domain Cycle
- Domain Registration and Renewal Period
Domain registration is the process of acquiring a name that will represent your website throughout the internet, and you can use it for your Web Hosting.
Domain renewal is a process of re-establishing and maintaining your domain name active. The domain name can be registered or renewed for at least 1 year to 10 years.
- Auto-Renew Grace Period
If the domain was not renewed before it expires, it enters the Auto-Renew Grace Period (AGP). In this period, you can renew the expired domain at the regular renewal price. Typically, domain TLDs offer AGP that varies from 0 to 45 days.Note: For more information, you may visit these articles:
- Redemption Grace Period
A domain goes into redemption status if it is not renewed on time. Should you fail to renew the domain name during the AGP, it will go into redemption at the Registry. Your mail service and website will stop working when the domain expires and cannot be renewed.- The registrar will assign your domain to redemption on day 45.
- The domain Redemption Grace Period (RGP) lasts 30 days.
- There is a fee to restore your domain from Redemption status. The domain redemption fee cannot be waived or refunded.
- Your domain will be considered abandoned if you do not redeem it. The registrar has the right to auction, sell, delete, or dispose of the domain at any time.
Take Note: If you don't redeem a domain, please note that the only way to get the domain back is to wait until the domain is dropped by the registry and made available for public registration.
- Pending Delete Period
On day 75, if the domain is not redeemed and renewed within the redemption period, it will enter the last phase of the domain cycle, the Pending Delete Period. The domain is not recoverable at this stage, and the registry will delete the domain in approximately 5 days and make it available for public registration.Note: There are numerous domain drop-catching companies that monitor expired domains and instantly re-register domains once they are deleted by the registrar and are available to register again.
Domain Redemption Fee
Should you choose to renew your domain after it's expired for 32 days or more, the domain redemption fee will be added to your renewal. We cannot waive the domain redemption fee, which is paid in addition to the domain renewal fee, for any reason because it is required to pull the domain out of the holding period and is paid to the registry itself. Once the payment is processed, neither the domain renewal nor the redemption fee is refundable for any reason. The domain redemption fee varies per registrar.
Note:
- Please be aware that it may take up to 72 hours for the domain to be manually pulled out of redemption once the fee has been paid, during which time the domain will not be active. If it has been more than 72 hours since the domain redemption and renewal fees were paid, and the domain is still not working, please contact us for assistance.
- If your domain name is in the 30-day Redemption Grace Period, it can be redeemed (or renewed) before the end of the RGP.
- For current domain redemption and renewal fees, please visit our domain pricing page.
Domain Name Renewal Timelines
The time it takes for a domain name to expire and become available for others to register can vary depending on the domain type (TLD - Top-Level Domain). To avoid any disruption to your online presence, it's crucial to plan ahead for renewals or utilize an automatic renewal option. This way, you can keep your focus on other important tasks.
The chart below provides a quick reference for renewal timelines based on different domain types.
# of Days Before Expiration that the Domain Must be Renewed | Top-Level Domain Extensions |
Up to the date of expiry | .ca, .cn, com.cn, .net.cn, org.cn, all regional .cn extensions, .co, .cx, .gd, .gs, .im, .in, .co.in, .firm.in, .gen.in, .ind.in, net.in, org.in, .me, .ms, .tc, .tw, .com.tw, .org.tw, and .vg |
26 days | .ac, .am, .be, .de, .eu, .fm, .io, .nl, .sh, .co.uk, .me.uk, .org.uk |
57 days | .at, .ch, .cz, .es, .com.es, .nom.es, .org.es, .jo, .li, .mx, .com.mx, .nu, .co.nz, .org.nz, .pl, .ru, .sg and .tk. |
Summary
The Domain Redemption Period is a 30-day window to get back your expired domain before anyone else can grab it. If you miss the first chance to renew, you'll pay an extra redemption fee during this time. If you don't act, the domain eventually goes up for grabs to the public.
If you register your domain with Bluehost, renewing your domain is easy. We'll send you reminders when it's time to renew. Or, our system can automatically renew your domain name for you.
If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us via Chat or Phone:
- Chat Support - While on our website, you should see a CHAT bubble in the bottom right-hand corner of the page. Click anywhere on the bubble to begin a chat session.
- Phone Support -
- US: 888-401-4678
- International: +1 801-765-9400
You may also refer to our Knowledge Base articles to help answer common questions and guide you through various setup, configuration, and troubleshooting steps.