Domain Name Status Codes

For domain names ending with .com, .net or .org, here is a guide to what the various status codes mean. These codes are what you'll see as part of the "whois" information when you're researching a domain name, if it's already been registered, and will tell you how long it might be until it becomes available to the general public again.

The below information is based on the General Counsel's Briefing Regarding Proposed Revisions to .com and .net Registry Agreements to Reflect Services Introduced 25 January 2003

REGISTRY-LOCK

The domain cannot be modified or deleted by the registrar but the domain can be renewed by its current owner. The registry MUST remove the REGISTRY-LOCK status for the registrar to modify the domain.

REGISTRY-HOLD

The domain cannot be modified or deleted by the registrar but the domain can be renewed by its current owner. The registry MUST remove the REGISTRY-HOLD status for the registrar to modify the domain.

REGISTRAR-HOLD

The domain cannot be modified or deleted but the domain can be renewed by its current owner. The registrar MUST remove REGISTRAR-HOLD status to modify the domain.

REGISTRAR-LOCK

The domain cannot be modified or deleted when in this status but the domain can be renewed by its current owner. The registrar MUST remove REGISTRAR-LOCK status to modify the domain.

REGISTRY-DELETE-NOTIFY

A domain is set on this status if it has expired and has child name servers that are hosting other domains. Only the registry may set this status.

REDEMPTIONPERIOD

A domain name is placed in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status when a registrar requests the deletion of a name that is not within the Add Grace Period. Unless restored, the domain will be held in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status for a specified number of calendar days. The current length of this Redemption Period is thirty calendar days.

PENDINGDELETE

A domain name is placed in PENDINGDELETE status if it has not been restored during the Redemption Period. A name that is in PENDINGDELETE status will not be included in the zone file. All registrar requests to modify or otherwise update a domain in PENDINGDELETE status will be rejected. A domain name is purged from the registry database a specified number of calendar days after it is placed in PENDINGDELETE status. The current length of this Pending Delete Period is five calendar days.

PENDINGRESTORE

A domain name is placed in PENDINGRESTORE status when a registrar requests restoration of a domain that is in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status. Registrar requests to modify or otherwise update a domain in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status will be rejected. A domain name is returned to REDEMPTIONPERIOD status a specified number of calendar days after it is placed in PENDINGRESTORE unless the registrar submits a complete Registrar Restore Report to the Registry Operator. The current length of this Pending Restore Period is seven calendar days.

"English" Translation:

If a domain shows up in a "whois" check as being in the REDEMPTIONPERIOD, it will stay there for 30 days. If the domain owner does not pay the renewal, the domain is normally put 'On Hold' which means that the owner still owns the domain but it cannot be used for a website or emails.

A domain can be 'On Hold' for normally 30-45 days but this can be different, depending on the registrar. Some registrars delete domains immediately at the end of the 'On Hold' period but some will hold it for a certain additional time-period before releasing it. Others may continue to hold the name for an extended period of time before it is finally deleted.

Once deleted, the domain is just like any domain that is not registered—it is available for anyone to register.