How To Proceed With Expired Domain Names

When a domain name’s period of registration ends, but before it is completely deleted from the domain name registry, it’s considered an expired domain name. Usually, when a domain name is under the status of “expired,” the owner or legal holder still has the option to renew it before it’s deleted. However, renewing a domain name after it’s already expired will usually result in late fees from ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers).

If you want to keep your domain name permanently, it’s best to plan ahead. Aplus.Net helps our customers do just that by sending out 30-day and 15-day notices before their domain name expires. This makes it easier to keep your domain name(s) continuously registered and avoid late renewal fees. Note: A domain name can only be registered for a maximum of ten years. Even upon the domain name renewal, the domain name registration period can not extend past a ten-year period. For some domain name extensions the registered period is even shorter, such as .uk, which can only be registered for two years at a time.

So, while we encourage you to prevent such a situation, you should be aware of the basic process for renewing expired domain names before they are deleted from the registry.

During the time immediately following the domain name’s expiration (typically lasting about 40 days), the domain name is considered to be in a grace period. During this time, the domain name is not active, and any websites or email accounts associated with it will no longer function. Fortunately, the domain name may be renewed during this period without the application of any additional fees. Please note, however, that a wait of 24 to 72 hours is typical for renewal during this period.

The next stage in the domain name expiration process is the domain name redemption period, which usually lasts about 30 days. During this period, the domain name remains inactive, and the contact information as registered with WHOIS — such as the name, address, telephone numbers, etc. — is deleted. The domain name can still be renewed by its original holder during this stage, but since it is now a manual process for the registry to re-enter the name, address, and other contact information back to the domain registry records, it will take a significant amount of time for the domain name to become active once more.

If you choose to renew a domain name during this redemption period, you will be subject to a fee of $89. This fee is based on charges by domain registries, and therefore cannot be waived or changed by Aplus.Net. Please feel free to contact our support team at if you have any questions regarding this fee.

Finally, the last stage in the process is the domain name deletion period. Five days following the end of the redemption period, the domain name will be totally deleted from the registry and made available to the public.

Avoid this fee and inconvenience! Re-register your domain name early. However, if you are already in an expired domain name situation, we urge you to contact an Aplus.Net customer support representative immediately to learn all the details available to you.

Note: The domain name industry lacks a comprehensive expiration policy, so the actual times listed above may vary.