How Long After a Domain Expires Can I Buy It?

Domain names are available between one-year to ten-year subscription plans. However, humans err, and we can easily forget the status of our domain registrations and, inadvertently, cause these domains to expire. You are not alone if you want to know how to prevent this from happening.

How long after a domain expires can you buy it? You have 30 days after your domain name’s expiration, where you can still renew the domain with your registrar’s regular hosting rates. Then, you have another 30 days where the domain name no longer sits in the zone (i.e., the website and email associated with no longer works), and you will need to pay an additional redemption fee.

In this article, we detail all the things that you need to know to prevent losing domain names and make sure that you are on top of all your domain name registration before they expire.

If you want to find available domains, use our free tool here.

How to Prevent Losing Your Domain Name

Knowing you only have 30 days to renew a domain after it expires is not enough. You need to plan ahead to ensure that you do not miss this deadline or renew your domain just a few days before the allowable period. Below, we have curated a few tips on making sure that you do not forget about your domain’s registration renewals.

1. Update Your Calendars

Stay on top of your domain name registration and renewal processes by making sure to add a high-priority calendar reminder on all your devices. Make this a priority even if your domain will only expire after three or ten years. By syncing this task on all your calendars, you are one step ahead of losing your domain names.

2. Whitelist Emails From Your Registrar or Hosting Provider

All hosting providers and registrars send out email notices to their customers a few months or weeks before a domain expires. Make sure that you receive these emails by whitelisting your registrar’s email address.

Also, make sure to read each email that they send out since these would most likely concern your hosted domains and websites. As per ICANN policy, registrars are required to send out renewal emails at least one month and one week before the domain’s expiration. Other domain hosts and providers are also more assertive when it comes to renewal notices, and they send out regular email notifications throughout the month of the domain’s expiration.

3. Sign Up for Automatic Domain Renewal

If your hosting provider offers an automatic domain name renewal service, go for it. This way, you can forget about the domain renewals since they will be charged automatically to a registered card on your account.

Another thing to remember when signing up for automatic domain renewal is to pre-set your hosting plan’s duration. You do not want to be automatically charged for a ten-year domain hosting when you only want the renewal to occur every two years.

4. Update Your Card Details Regularly

For the tip on automatic domain renewal to work, you need to be vigilant in updating your card details on your domain hosting provider’s Billing Settings. Do this every time your credit card changes or when you start to use a different card. Doing so ensures that when the domain renewal date comes around, your card will be automatically charged, and you do not have to deal with the stress of having expired domains beyond their redemption periods.

How Much Does Domain Name Renewal Cost?

Domain name renewal cost varies depending on your domain name registrar, the type of features included in your domain hosting plan, and the length of time you want the domain hosting service for.

Typically, by the time you need to renew a domain name hosting, the regular monthly or yearly rate for that service will apply. You can opt for a monthly or yearly plan. You can also opt to pay for the two-year, three-year, five-year, or ten-year durations depending on your website needs.

Can I Cancel a Domain Name Registration?

Yes, you can cancel your domain name registration at any given time. Contact your registrar on how to start the process of the domain cancellation since each company may have different rules. Also, note that domain names are automatically canceled and deleted if they are not renewed after its initial registration lapses.

Can I Buy a Domain As Soon As It Expires?

If you own a domain name and it has just expired, you can still renew it and retain all the content of the website associated with that domain. On the other hand, if you do not own that expired domain, you need to wait about 60 to 70 days before you can redeem or purchase it again.

An expired domain that no longer sits in the zone file will be deleted and purged from the records of the DNS registrant. Once the domain name is deleted, it is released and will be available for re-registration.

What is the Difference Between the Auto-Renew Grace Period and the Redemption Grace Period?

The Auto-Renew Grace Period is a 45-day duration after the domain name’s expiration where the domain name holder or registrant may still renew the domain. During this period, the domain may still be in the zone file and may still work. The domain renewal fee will correspond to the host’s pricing plans.

The Redemption Grace Period is another 30-day duration where the domain name is no longer in the zone file, and the website and email associated with it will no longer work. During this period, the domain holder or registrant can redeem the domain and will also need to pay a redemption fee on top of your domain hosting plan fees. This fee will vary depending on your registrar.

Can I Transfer My Domain Name Before It Expires?

Yes, it is perfectly fine to transfer your domain name to another host before it expires. Just remember, the transfer request may be denied if you have made changes to the domain owner or registrant within the last sixty (60) days or if the domain is on a locked status. For a step by step guide on how to transfer domains from host to another, check out the linked article.

What If It Has Been More Than 75 Days Since My Domain Name Expired?

If it has been more than seventy-five (75) days since your domain name expired, you will no longer be able to renew or redeem the domain name. The domain and the website information associated with your original creation date has been deleted. Nevertheless, the domain name is placed back on the registry, and anyone can register it for their own sites. You can check with your hosting provider or registrant for its availability and register under your name again.

How To Transfer a Domain from One Host to Another?

It’s best not to put all your eggs in one basket. This applies to your domain names and websites as well. So if you have bought a domain name from another company and want to transfer to another hosting provider, you need to follow a set of steps to ensure a smooth process.

So how do you transfer a domain from one host to another? Domain transfers can be done in 4 steps. First, set up your current domain ready for transfer. Then you need to initiate the process with your new registrar. After that, inform your current registrar of the transfer. Secured confirmation emails and payments will be required in between these steps and will differ for each host.

That is the overview of the domain transfer process. For a more detailed step by step guide, check out the guide below.

Steps on Transferring Domains From One Host to Another

1. Remove any Domain Locks

Most domain hosts set up a transfer lock for its domains to avoid unauthorized transfers. This can easily be removed by going to your host’s CPanel or Domain Settings. If you cannot find this feature, contact your host.

2. Remove Privacy Locks

Aside from the domain transfer lock, make sure to turn off your privacy locks or WHOIS protection. This ensures that your new registrant can easily initiate the domain transfer process from their end.

3. Get an AuthInfo or Authorization Code

While still at your current domain’s CPanel or Account Settings, also obtain an Authorization Code or AuthInfo Code for the transfer. You can request for the Authorization Code through your CPanel, and an email containing the code will be sent to your registered email address. Authorization Codes may also be called transfer codes, EPP codes, AuthInfo codes, or AuthCodes.

4. Start the Domain Transfer Process with Your New Registrar

Next, log in to your new registrar’s account and look for the option to start the Domain Transfer process. At this point, you need to fill out a domain transfer form. This may be done through email or an automated form on your host’s website.

5. Provide Your Authorization Code

Give the Authorization or AuthInfo Code from your current registrar. You can send this through email or fill out a form that your new registrar provides.

At this point, your new registrar will coordinate with your current domain host. They will inform you if the transfer request is denied or not and provide reasons why.

6. Make Any Required Payment

For most domain registrar, switching domain hosts is free. However, they may require you to pay for the domain name registration and hosting in advance. Research your new registrar well so that you will know what to expect when it comes to payments and fees.

And if there are no issues with your current domain, the domain transfer will proceed without a hitch.

What Are Possible Reasons for a Denied Transfer of Domain?

Registrar can deny and not process a domain transfer for the following reasons:

The domain name is on a Locked status.
The domain name is within sixty (60) days from its registration date.
The domain name is within sixty (60) days from a previous domain transfer.
The domain name owner does not expressly authorize the transfer.
The domain name holder or administrative contact cannot be verified.
There is evidence of fraud for the transaction.
There is a payment hold on the domain name.

Domain registrars may also not grant transfer requests if there are pending court orders, cases, or disputes for the domain name.

Who Can Authorize Domain Name Transfers?

A domain transfer can only be allowed by any of the following:

The registered owner or holder of the domain name
An administrative contact
A person with legal authority to acts on behalf of the domain name holder or the administrative contact

In the Cpanel or Account Settings of your current domain host, you can request to change the administrative contact or registered owner of your domain name. But remember that for any change in the domain name owner or holder, a sixty (60) day lock will be placed, prohibiting you from making transfers or changes after that.

Contact your hosting provider’s support team to find out if this policy is in place or if you need to wait for sixty more days before you can process a domain transfer.

What Is the Difference Between Domain Transfer and Domain Redirects?

A domain transfer refers to the process of switching the Registrar for your domain name. With domain transfers, your domain name stays the same, and only your Registrar changes.

On the other hand, a domain redirect is a method of forwarding site visitors to another website or domain. With domain redirects, you may change your domain Registrar or not. An example of a domain redirect occurs when you have an old domain, www.olddomain.com, and you want the visitors of this site to be automatically redirected or forwarded to www.newdomain.com.

Can I Transfer a Domain Name to Another Person?

Yes, it is possible to transfer and change the ownership of a domain name to another person. To do this, you need to contact your current domain host or registrar. Authorization forms and requests are sent to you through email to verify the change of domain ownership.

Should I Transfer Domain to New Owner First Before Transferring It to a New Host?

Whether you are transferring domain name holders or hosts, always remember for these a sixty (60) hold occurs after each of this change. You can change the domain name holder first, then wait for sixty days before processing a domain host transfer. This applies when you switch over to a new registrar first. Plan your domain name changes accordingly.

Can I Transfer an Expired Domain?

If your domain has just expired or it is within 45 days from its expiration date, you may still request a domain transfer to another host or registrar. However, if it longer than 45 days, your domain name will be under a Pending Deletion status. You will need to redeem your domain name with your previous domain host and pay for the hosting free before you can request for the domain transfer.

How Much Does a Domain Transfer Cost?

For most domain registrars, transferring a domain comes at no additional cost. However, if your domain has expired for more than 45 days or if it is your registrar’s policy to charge for transfers, they can do so. Research and ask your domain service providers before deciding on which domain host or registrar to use.

What Is the Best Domain Host to Transfer To?

When it comes to choosing the best domain host, you need to keep in mind your website’s specific needs. To illustrate, if you want to more bandwidth and storage allocation, look for a domain host that provides this. Or, if you want a host that offers free domain transfers, pick a provider that explicitly states that any transfers come free of charge.

We recommend SiteGround if you want free email, CDN, and SSL features. Or, you can check out WPX Hosting if you want WordPress hosting. Other hosting providers we recommend are Kinsta and WP Engine.

Check out our bonus bundle and get up to $1,474 in bonuses when you sign up through our Web Hosting Offers.

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