Forgetting to renew a domain name can happen, and it's important to understand the process that follows expiry to avoid unexpected fees or the loss of your domain. This article explains the domain lifecycle after its expiration date.
The Domain Lifecycle After Expiry
When a domain name is not renewed by its expiry date, it doesn't just disappear. It goes through several phases before becoming available for registration by anyone. Understanding this timeline is crucial for domain owners to avoid losing their domains.
| Phase | Duration | Status | Actions |
| Active Registration | Original Registration Period (Typically 1-5 years) | Domain Fully Functional | Regular Renewal Available via MyDreamIT Portal |
| Expiration Date | Immediate | Website and Emails Stop Working | Renew Immediately |
| Grace Period | 30 Days | Domain Inactive, but Reserved for Owner | Renew at Standard Price + Grace Fee. |
| Redemption Period | 30 Days after Grace Period |
Domain is Removed, and no longer renewable from the MyDreamIT Portal |
Renew at Standard Price + Redemption Fee. |
| Pending Deletion | Varies by Registrar (Typically 30-45 Days) | Domain Cannot Be Restored / Deleted from Registry and become available for anyone to register as a new domain | There is no guarantee you will be able to re-register it. |
How Do I Restore My Domain from Redemption?
If your domain has entered the Redemption Period, you must contact our support team immediately. We will guide you through the restoration process and provide you with an invoice for the required fees.
Grace & Redemption Fees at DreamIT Host
The fee to restore a domain from the Grace and Redemption Period is set by the registry and is significantly higher than a standard renewal.
Our grace/redemption fees vary depending on the domain extension as some domain types cost more than others. Our Melbourne team will confirm this price before continuing should you request a renewal within this period.
|
Domain
|
Grace Fee
|
Redemption Fee
|
|---|---|---|
|
.com, .net, .org, .info, .biz
|
$29.95 AUD
|
$199.95 AUD
|
|
All other domains
|
Contact us for a quote
|
Contact us for a quote
|
Please note: The grace and redemption fee is in addition to the standard annual renewal fee for your domain name. You will be required to pay both the grace/redemption fee and the renewal fee to recover your domain.
How to Avoid the Redemption Period
The easiest way to protect your domain is to prevent it from expiring in the first place.
- Enable Auto-Renewal: We highly recommend enabling auto-renewal for all your critical domain names. This ensures they are renewed automatically before their expiry date, as long as you have a valid payment method on file.
- Keep Your Contact Information Updated: Ensure your email address in the MyDreamIT Portal is always up-to-date. We send multiple expiry reminder notices, and if your contact information is incorrect, you won't receive them.
If you have any questions about your domain's status, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team via raising a support ticket via MyDreamIT Portal.