Expired Domain Recovery: Getting a Lapsed Name Back

First, work out where you are

Recovery depends on two things: the extension, and how many days have passed since expiry. A WHOIS or RDAP lookup on the domain shows the registrar and usually the status. Note the expiry date and count forward.

If the website and email stopped suddenly, an expired domain is one of the first things to check. Our guide my domain has expired covers the quick checks you can do yourself.

Write down the extension, the registrar and the expiry date before doing anything else. Those three facts decide what is possible and how quickly you need to move.

The .uk timeline

Within the 90 days, renewal goes through the registrar that holds the IPS tag. If that registrar has vanished or won't respond, the registrant can deal with Nominet directly.

Suspension at day 30 is the point most owners notice, because the website and email stop. That still leaves around two months to renew, so a suspended .uk is usually recoverable.

The .com, .org and .net timeline

1. Registrar grace period. Length varies by registrar, often up to 30 to 45 days. Renewal is usually possible at a normal or slightly higher price.
2. Redemption Grace Period. 30 days. The name can be restored, but the registrar charges a restore fee that it sets itself.
3. Pending delete. About five days. Nothing can be done.
4. Released. Anyone can register it, first come, first served.

ICANN requires registrars to send reminders before expiry, but they go to the registrant email on file, which may be out of date.

The exact grace period depends on the registrar, so check their terms rather than assuming 30 or 45 days. If the domain is already in redemption, expect to pay the restore fee.

What recovery involves

The renewal itself is quick. The time goes on the parts around it:

• Identifying the registrar and the account that holds the domain.
• Proving who the registrant is when the account belongs to a former supplier or employee.
• Getting the renewal or restore done before the next deadline.
• Checking the DNS still exists afterwards. Some registrars wipe records on suspension, so MX, SPF and website records may need rebuilding.
• Moving the name somewhere it won't lapse again.

If the domain has already gone

Once a .uk passes day 90 or a .com is released, it's open to anyone. If nobody has taken it, you can register it again in the dijitul client portal. If someone has, you'll need a different name, or to approach the new owner. That's why acting in the first few weeks matters.

Don't assume a released name will still be free tomorrow. Domains with traffic or history are sometimes registered again within hours of release. If you are near the end of the 90 days, or near the end of redemption, treat it as urgent.

How dijitul helps

Recovery work is charged at £45 an hour + VAT. Call 01623 650333 or contact us with the domain name. Once it's back, set it to auto-renew; our domain renewal page explains how to stop it happening again.

How it works and what it costs

Domains are priced live in the client portal. DNS management and 10 mailboxes are included with dijihost Complete Hosting at £1 a day + VAT. On their own, DNS and email set-up is £45 an hour + VAT or a fixed quote.

1. Tell us what you have

   Your domains, who they are registered with, where your DNS and email live today, and what you want to change.

2. Plan the change

   We list every DNS record and mailbox first, so nothing is forgotten, and agree a time to switch.

3. Make the switch

   Transfers, nameserver changes, DNS records and mailbox moves, done carefully with low TTLs and a rollback plan.

4. Check it works

   We test the website, email delivery, SPF, DKIM and DMARC from the outside before calling it done.

5. Look after it

   Renewals, records and email stay looked after, and you can call a person when something changes.

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