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Redemption Grace Period: Recovering a Deleted Domain
Redemption Grace Period: Recovering a Deleted Domain
Part 6 of 12 in the Domain Mastery series — Previous: Transfer Grace Period
If your domain was deleted after expiration, it enters the Redemption Grace Period (RGP). This is a last-chance recovery window — your website is offline, but the domain can still be restored for a fee.
When Does Redemption Start?
A domain enters Redemption only after all of the following occur:
- The domain expires
- The registry auto-renews the domain (Auto-Renew Grace Period begins)
- The registrar deletes the domain during the Auto-Renew Grace Period
- The registry places the domain into Redemption
Key point: Redemption is not automatic at expiration. It only happens after the registrar explicitly deletes the domain from the registry.
What Happens to Your Domain
Once a domain enters Redemption:
- Website goes offline — the domain is removed from DNS
- Email stops working — no mail can be delivered
- No transfers allowed — you cannot move the domain
- No DNS changes — settings cannot be modified
- Domain is frozen — the only possible action is restoration
Duration
| Phase | Duration | Can You Recover? |
|---|---|---|
| Redemption Grace Period | 30 days (fixed) | Yes, with restoration fee |
| Pending Delete (follows) | 5 days | No |
| Released to public | — | Register again (if available) |
How to Restore a Domain in Redemption
- Contact us through your dashboard or support
- Request a domain restore — we submit a restoration request to the registry
- Pay the restoration fee — this is in addition to the standard renewal cost
- Domain is restored — it returns to active status with your original settings
- Restore report submitted — required by the registry within 5-7 days
Restoration Costs
| Fee | Description |
|---|---|
| Restoration fee | Charged by the registry (varies by TLD, typically $80-$200) |
| Renewal fee | Standard renewal price for one additional year |
The restoration fee is significantly higher than a normal renewal. This is why acting during the Auto-Renew Grace Period is always the better option.
Redemption vs. Auto-Renew Grace Period
| Auto-Renew Grace Period | Redemption Grace Period | |
|---|---|---|
| Domain active? | Yes | No |
| Website works? | Yes | No |
| Email works? | Yes | No |
| Recovery cost | Standard renewal price | Renewal + restoration fee |
| Transfer possible? | Yes | No |
| Duration | Up to 45 days | 30 days |
| Who controls it? | Registrar | Registry |
What Happens After Redemption
If no one restores the domain within the 30-day Redemption Grace Period:
- The domain enters Pending Delete for 5 days
- During Pending Delete, the domain cannot be recovered by anyone
- After 5 days, the domain is released and becomes available for public registration
Tips
- Renew before expiration — the simplest way to avoid this situation entirely
- Act during the Auto-Renew Grace Period — renewal is still at standard pricing
- Enable auto-renewal and keep your payment information up to date
- Monitor your email for expiration and deletion notices
- Set calendar reminders as a backup for critical domains
- If your domain is already in Redemption, contact support immediately — the 30-day window is fixed