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Expired domain names

The following rules for expired domain names are set out by domain name registries. Registries are the organizations that control the distribution of the various kinds of domain names, such as .COM, .INFO, and .CA. Companies like Korax that sell domain names to the public are called "registration service providers" or "registrars".

Consequences of an expired domain name

If your domain name registration period expires before you renew it by paying for a new period, your domain name goes on hold. Domain names on hold are unusable, and any associated websites or e-mail addresses cease to function. Eventually, the domain name registry deletes the name, and it becomes available for anyone to register.

The time between the domain name going on hold then being deleted varies, depending on the kind of domain name you have.

Names ending in .COM, .NET, .ORG, .INFO, and .BIZ

VeriSign is the authoritative registry for domain names ending in .COM and .NET. Public Interest Registry is the authoritative registry for domain names ending in .ORG. Afilias is the authoritative registry for domain names ending in .INFO. NeuLevel is the authoritative registry for domain names ending in .BIZ.

A domain name of one of these types goes on hold for forty days. After this, the registry puts it into "redemption" status for a period of thirty days. You can still renew a domain name while it's in the registry's "redemption" period, but the cost is much higher. This is not a policy set by Korax, but by the registry. For more information, read Domain name redemption at Korax' main website.

After the thirty day redemption period, the domain name can no longer be renewed, and is pending deletion for about five to seven days. After this time, it is deleted, and it becomes available for registration by anyone.

Names ending in .CA

CIRA is the authoritative registry for domain names ending in .CA. A domain name of this type goes on hold for thirty days. After this time, it is deleted, and it becomes available for registration by anyone. CIRA has no redemption period.