Domain Redemption Grace Period
What Happens During Redemption
The redemption grace period is the stage in a domain's lifecycle that follows the end of the auto-renew grace period. It gives the original owner one last chance to recover a name before it is deleted. It is often abbreviated as RGP in registry policies.
During redemption, the domain is removed from the public DNS, so its website and email stop working. The registration still exists in the registry's database, which is why it can be restored. Under the common rules for generic extensions, the stage lasts about 30 days.
Why Restore Fees Are So High
Restoring a domain during redemption usually costs much more than a normal renewal. The fee covers the extra work the registry does to undo the deletion process, plus the registrar's cost of handling a manual request. The high price is also meant to discourage owners from letting names lapse.
Restore fees are set by the registrar and the registry, so they vary between providers. Some registrars publish their restore policy, while others quote the fee per request. Because restoring costs far more than renewing, the simplest approach is to renew before expiry, as described in domain renewal.
What Registrars Can and Cannot Do
A registrar can submit a restore request to the registry on the owner's behalf, once the restore fee is paid. It can usually confirm the domain's status and explain the cost and timing. It cannot shorten the redemption period, or restore a domain that has already reached pending delete. Those limits come from registry rules, not from the registrar's preference.
The redemption stage has its own status code, which shows where the domain stands in the process. These codes are explained in EPP status codes.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the redemption grace period?
Under the common ICANN framework for generic extensions, it lasts 30 days. Some registries set a different length, so check the rules for the extension you use. It is typically followed by a five-day pending delete phase, when the domain can no longer be restored.
Can I register a domain that is in redemption?
Not directly. A name in redemption still belongs to its previous owner until it is deleted and released. Once it becomes available, it can be registered through the normal process or sought through a backorder service.
Why does a domain in redemption still appear in WHOIS?
A domain in redemption is still registered, but it has been suspended from the public DNS. Its record remains in the registry database, so WHOIS or RDAP lookups still return it, and the owner can request a restore. Because it has not been released, no one else can register it yet.