If a domain name is not renewed by its expiry date, it is not immediately deleted, although it does cease to operate. From this point on, it is considered to be expired. Three days after the expiry date, the nameservers are changed to the OpenSRS expired domains nameservers. OpenSRS makes every effort to allow registrants to reinstate their domain names after they have expired.
Note: For expired domains, please do not manually change the name servers unless you are transferring the domain away. Changing the name servers will not renew the domain, and the domain will eventually lapse into redemption. If the renewal is successful, the name servers will be changed automatically by our system.
- Expiration Phases
- Reinstating the domain during the grace period
- Redeeming a domain name during the Redemption period
Expiration phases
Day 0-40: Domain has expired, but is within grace period
If a domain name has expired but is still within the 40 day grace period, the top of the web page may display a renewal reminder message three days after the expiry date. During the grace period, the domain name is still considered to be owned by the registrant, and the Whois information continues to display the registrant's information or Whois Privacy, if applicable.
Note: The grace period for ccTLDs varies; for information about a specific TLD, please refer to the gTLD and ccTLD Reference Chart. During this time, the Whois expiration date may differ from the control panel's expiration date; go by the control panel information as it is up to date.
Reinstating the domain during the grace period
During the 40 days following the expiry date (grace period), the registrant can reinstate the domain name simply by renewing it. If the registrant renews the domain name during this period, the original nameservers are restored, unless you have enabled Parked Pages for that domain, in which case, the Parked Page is displayed. The cost is the standard renewal rate that is normally charged to renew a domain name.
During this period, the domain name may be listed by OpenSRS for auction, but the name can be removed from the auction listings if the original registrant renews the domain name. If a third party wants to buy this domain name, they need to contact the registrant.
Day 40-70: Domain not renewed during grace period, but is within Redemption period
After the 40 day grace period, if the domain name has not been renewed, it may be queued for deletion and eventually dropped or auctioned off, or OpenSRS may decide to add it to our portfolio. If it is added to our portfolio, the domain name then enters a 30 day Redemption period.
During this period, if the domain name is not in the live auction, the domain name is still considered to be owned by the registrant. The Whois information displays a Contact Privacy address. If a third party wants to purchase the domain name, they need to contact the registrant; however, the domain name cannot change ownership during this period. The original registrant has to redeem the domain name first, and then they can sell it if they choose.
Important: Once the domain name is queued to enter the live auction, it cannot be redeemed by the original registrant.
Redeeming a domain name during the Redemption Period
If the domain name was not sent to the live auction (which usually runs from the day 41 to day 45), the registrant can redeem their domain name during the 30 day Redemption period; however, the cost is higher than a simple renewal. The domain can be redeemed from both the Reseller Control panel and the Classic Reseller Interface.
Redeeming a domain name from Reseller Control panel.
- Log in to the Reseller Control panel.
- Click on the Domains tab and search for the domain name in question.
- Verify the domain is in Redemption under the status.
- Click on Redeem option beside the domain and agree to the redemption charges and Submit.
Redeeming a domain name from the Classic Reseller Interface.
To redeem the domain from Classic Reseller Interface, you can either access this interface directly or from the new Reseller Control Panel by clicking your email address at the top right corner and then select Classic Reseller Interface in the drop-down menu.
- Log in to the Classic Reseller Interface.
- In the Domain Management section of the Classic Reseller Interface, click Domain Redemption.
- Complete the Redemption Request Form, and click, I understand and agree.
A Domain Rescue charge will be deducted from your Reseller account.
Note: Not all TLDs have a redemption period. For information about a specific TLD, please refer to the gTLD and ccTLD Reference Chart.
Day 70-75: Domain is dropped, not moved into Tucows Portfolio
After the Redemption period, if the domain name has not been auctioned off and acquired by another party, it is dropped and made available for re-registration by the general public. Anyone who wants to buy the domain name after that must contact the new registrant.
Day 70-100: Domain was renewed by YummyNames
If the Tucows Portfolio business unit, YummyNames, decides to renew the domain name during the Redemption Period, it is added to the YummyNames Portfolio. The expired domain displays a customized page that contains contextual ads.
Depending on the domain name's value, we may decide to retain the domain name or to sell it. Whether the domain name is made available for sale is at the discretion of the YummyNames Portfolio Manager. If we decide to sell it, the selling price to the original registrant is 50% of the Fair Market Value, as determined by the YummyNames Portfolio Team, and includes a one-year registration fee. The minimum Fair Market Value is $200.
During this period, the domain name can only be sold to the original registrant. If the original registrant wants to purchase the domain name, they should contact you, their Reseller, and you can determine the price that you charge the registrant.
Note: We reserve the right not to sell the domain name at any price.
Day 100-250: Domain is owned by YummyNames
During this period, the expired domain continues to display a customized page that contains contextual ads. We may decide to retain the domain name or to sell it. Whether the domain name is made available for sale is at the discretion of the YummyNames Portfolio Manager.
Anyone who wants to purchase this domain name must contact OpenSRS. If the domain name is made available for sale, the selling price to the original registrant is Fair Market Value, as determined by the YummyNames Portfolio Team, less 20%, and includes a one-year registration fee. The minimum Fair Market Value is $200. The Reseller can determine the price to charge the registrant for the domain name, and the price will include a one-year registration fee.
Day 250 and later: Domain still owned by YummyNames
We may decide to retain the domain name or to sell it. Whether the domain name is made available for sale is at the discretion of the YummyNames Portfolio Manager. If we decide to sell it, the selling price is Fair Market Value, as determined by the YummyNames Portfolio Team and includes a one-year registration fee. The minimum Fair Market Value is $200. The Reseller can determine the price to charge the registrant for the domain name.
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