What happens when my domain expires?
Every expired domain moves through a series of phases depending on how long it's been since expiration. Most domains follow our standard expiration timeline, but registry rules for certain domains, such as country-code domains, (ccTLDs), may have unique expiration timelines.
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What is an expired domain?
Every domain is registered for a certain period of time, anywhere from 1 to 10 years. Domains must be renewed prior to their expiration date to continue your registration. A domain is considered expired when it reaches the expiration date at the end of the current registration term. You may be able to renew your domain even if it's past the expiration date, depending on how long it's been since it expired and the extension, or TLD, of the domain.
What is the renewal process for domains?
For most domains, we'll send multiple emails to notify you of expiration within the 30 days prior and 30 days after the expiration date of your domain. We'll attempt to renew your domain multiple times if auto-renew is turned on, including the day of expiration and 12 days after expiration for most domains. Add Domain Protection to your domains to increase your domain security, and check out our Domain Protection article to learn how it also helps avoid accidental domain expiration due to failed billing.
Standard expiration timeline
Most domains registered through GoDaddy follow the standard expiration timeline. Some extensions, most notably country-code domains, (ccTLDs), have a unique expiration process and are excluded from the standard timeline.
Click to view excluded domain extensions
- About .ac Domains
- About .AFRICA domains
- About .ag Domains
- About .am Domains
- About .at Domains
- About .au Domains
- About .be Domains
- About .br Domains
- About .bz Domains
- About .ca Domains
- About .cc Domains
- About .ch Domains
- About .cl Domains
- About .cn Domains
- About .co Domains
- About .co.jp Domains
- About .jp Domains
- About .co.za Domains
- About .cz Domains
- About .de Domains
- About .dk Domains
- About .es Domains
- About .eu Domains
- About .fm Domains
- About .fr Domains
- About .gg Domains
- About .gs Domains
- About .ID domains
- About .in Domains
- About .it Domains
- About .JOBS domains
- About .kr Domains
- About .ky Domains
- About .la Domains
- About .me Domains
- About .ms Domains
- About .mx Domains
- About .nl Domains
- About .no Domains
- About .nu Domains
- About .nz Domains
- About .pe Domains
- About .ph Domains
- About .pl Domains
- About .se Domains
- About .sg Domains
- About .sh Domains
- About .so Domains
- About .tc Domains
- About .TEL domains
- About .tk Domains
- About .tv Domains
- About .tw Domains
- About .uk Domains
- About .us Domains
- About .ve Domains
- About .ws Domains
- About .XXX domains
- Day of expiration: We'll attempt to auto-renew the domain or you can manually renew it for the standard renewal price.
- +1 day: The domain is still active in your account and you can manually renew it for the standard renewal price.
- +5 days: The domain will be parked and any connected website or email will stop working. You can manually renew the domain for the standard renewal price.
- +12 days: We'll make a final attempt to auto-renew the domain. You can manually renew the domain for the standard renewal price.
- +18 days: The domain is no longer active in your account. You can attempt to recover the domain, with an additional redemption fee.
- +26 days: Domain goes to auction, but you can attempt to recover the domain, with an additional redemption fee. If there's an active bid at auction, you may still be able to renew the domain if it shows in your domain list.
- +30 days: You can attempt to recover the domain, with an additional redemption fee. If there's an active bid at auction, the domain cannot be renewed.
- +36 days: Domain goes to a final closeout auction. If there is no pending purchase of the domain, you can attempt to recover the domain, with an additional redemption fee. You cannot renew the domain if a purchase is pending.
- +41 days: Final closeout auction ends. You can attempt to recover the domain, with an additional redemption fee.
- +72 days: The domain is removed from your account and you cannot renew it any more. You may be able to register the domain after the registry has released it, but GoDaddy can't advise when the registry will release a domain for registration.
Related steps
- Make sure you turn on auto-renew to continue your domain registration uninterrupted.
- Renewing your domain doesn't renew your website or email, so make sure to manually renew those products as well.
More info
- On Aug. 31, 2013, ICANN adopted the Expired Registration Recovery Policy (ERRP), which requires registrars to disclose important information to Registrants and prospective customers about expiration notices, fees and redemption procedures. All required information and disclosures currently exist in various locations throughout our website. However, as an aid to Registrants, this article contains links to all required elements in the new policy.
- For full details on ICANN's policies, you can review the Registrant Rights & Responsibilities Under the 2009 RAA.
- ICANN Registrant Benefits & Responsibilities (2013) will be determined upon publication by ICANN.
- Start your search for a brand new domain today.