Domain Name Deletion and Renewal

Quite often we have to answer questions about the validity period of a domain name or canceling the domain registration. 

According to the  ICANN regulations, domain names are registered for fixed periods that are subject to renewal. Therefore, domain names cannot be purchased, generally speaking, they are rented for a certain period. 

Prior to the domain name expiration date, clients or their representatives receive several notifications about the expiry date and the instruction on how to renew the domain name. A domain name is renewed not from the date of paying the fee but from the expiration date. 

In case a client does not renew the registration of a domain name by the end of the term, the domain name can be deleted at any time after the expiration date. 

To prevent the unintentional deletion of a domain name, registry operators usually provide customers with a “grace period.” This is the period after the expiration date within which a customer still may renew the domain name, and the other customers cannot register it. Conventionally, this is a period of 30-40 days. The period is not guaranteed, and customers have to take care of their domain names renewal in advance in order to avoid their deletion. 

Next, depending on the domain, registry operators may act differently. But once the grace period ends, a domain name might be deleted and become available for registration again.