“How long does it take before an expired domain becomes available?”
When a domain expires it goes through a variety stages before it becomes available to the general public.
The table below details how GoDaddy handles expired (.com) domain names before it becomes available.
| Domain Expiration Process | This is what usually happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | When the domain is close to expiring the domain registrar will attempt to contact the owner for renewal. If the owner does not renewal the domain it will expire. |
| Day 5 | If there is still no payment from the owner the domain will be parked. |
| Day 12 | One last chance for the domain owner to renewal the domain. |
| Day 19 | The domain owner will now have to pay a redemption free + renewal cost to get back the domain. |
| Day 26 | The expired domain will not go to auction |
| Day 36 | If nobody bids on the expired domain it will be listed in a close out aution |
| Day 41 | This is the day the closeout auction ends |
| Day 43 | After the auction or close-out the winner/bidder will get the domain name. If there are no bidders or backorders the domain name goes back to the registry |
Here is an example of how another registrar deals with expired domain names.
The Deletion Cycle of a Domain:
This expired domain cycle can last as long as 80 days or be as short as 36 days.
1. Expired Stage – The domain can be in this ‘Expired Status’ stage for around 1-45 days.
2. RGP (redemption grace period) – After being in the ‘Expired’ status the domain name will go into the RGP stage, it will stay here for 30 days.
3. Delete Pending – After the grace period the domain name goes into ‘Pending Delete’ status for 5 days. When the 5 days are over the domain name will go public and other people can buy the domain.