What happens when a domain name expires?

When a domain name expires, it goes through several stages before becoming available for registration by someone else. Here's a typical timeline of events that occur after a domain name expires:

1. Grace period: After the domain name expires, there is usually a grace period that lasts between 30 to 45 days, depending on the domain registrar. During this period, the domain owner can renew the domain at the regular renewal price without losing ownership. The website and email services associated with the domain may be temporarily suspended during the grace period.
2. Redemption period: If the domain owner doesn't renew the domain during the grace period, the domain enters the redemption period, which typically lasts for about 30 days. During this stage, the domain registrar may hold the domain in a pending deletion status. The original domain owner can still renew the domain but at a higher cost, as the registrar may charge an additional redemption fee.
3. Pending deletion: After the redemption period, the domain name enters a pending deletion phase, which usually lasts around 5 days. During this time, the domain name is locked, and the domain owner can no longer renew or recover the domain.
4. Domain release: Once the pending deletion phase ends, the domain name is released back to the public and becomes available for registration by anyone on a first-come, first-served basis.

Keep in mind that the exact timeline and process can vary depending on the domain registrar and the domain's top-level domain (TLD). It's important to be aware of your domain's expiration date and the renewal process to avoid losing ownership of your domain.