Recovering expired domain names can be a convoluted and frustrating process. To help you recover expired domain names from the most common registrars, we’ve put together some notes for GoDaddy, Network Solutions, Enom, 1and1, and Hover, to help you get started.

Please note that this information applies to gTLDs (.com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, .mobi). The expiration policies may be slightly different for other registries. As well, redemption may not be available for all domain names, at the discretion of the domain registrar.

GoDaddy

Grace period: 18 days

Redemption Period: 24 days

Redemption Fee: $80 (does not include the renewal of the domain name)

Maximum time to recover an expired domain: 42 days

During the first 18 days after a domain has expired, you can renew your domain name at no additional cost by accessing your Domain Control Panel or calling GoDaddy. Between day 19 and day 42 the $80 redemption fee applies.

Here is an article from the GoDaddy help site to assist you with redeeming an expired domain:

http://support.godaddy.com/help/article/5018/recovering-expired-domain-names?locale=en

After day 18 there are few things that take place. On day 26, GoDaddy adds the domain to an expired domain name auction where it remains for 10 days. If there are no backorders or bids placed for the domain, the auction ends and it then remains in a closeout auction until day 41.

On day 43 the domain is given to the winner of the auction. If there are no backorders or bids, the domain is given back to the registry, and can be publicly registered by anyone as a new domain.

For any additional questions please contact GoDaddy: www.godaddy.com

Network Solutions

Grace Period: 30-35 days (depending on the registry)

Redemption Period: 30 days

Redemption Fee: $299 (includes the cost of renewal)

Maximum time to redeem an expired domain: 60-65 days

Note: Network Solutions may or may not provide a grace period, and if you are granted a grace period, they may terminate it at any time without notice.

If a domain is not renewed during the 30-35 day grace period, the domain is deleted. At this point, Network Solutions may allow you to redeem the deleted domain from redemption; however, there is no guarantee that a domain will be available for redemption recovery.

After the initial 30-35 day grace period, Network Solutions may complete a “Direct Transfer” which involves renewing and transferring a domain to a third party on behalf of the registrant. If the registrant does not want to allow this type of transfer to occur, in the event they let a domain lapse, they must notify Network Solutions by email at [email protected]

More information on this can be found on the Network Solutions help site:

http://www.networksolutions.com/support/domain-deletion-policy/

For any additional questions please contact Network Solutions: www.networksolutions.com

Enom

Grace Period (reactivation period): 30 days

Redemption Period: 30-42 days

Redemption Fee: $250 (does not include the renewal of the domain name)

Maximum time to redeem an expired domain: 60-72 days

First, you will have to locate your reseller. You can do so using the following search:

http://www.enom.com/help/reseller_lookup.asp

If a domain is not renewed during the 30 reactivation period, Enom may provide a redemption period. Enom may also make deleted domains available to third parties and auctions after the reactivation period. If the domain name is obtained through such an auction, Enom will transfer the domain to the winner and you will not be able to redeem your domain.

More information on this can be found in the Enom Terms of Service:

http://www.enom.com/terms/agreement.aspx

For any additional questions, please contact Enom: www.enom.com

1&1

Grace Period: 10 days

Redemption Period: 20 days

Redemption Fee: $40 (does not include the renewal of the domain name)

Maximum time to redeem an expired domain: 30 days

To redeem an expired domain during the first 10 days after expiration, you can reactivate the domain in your Domain Control Panel.

This article will show you how to do this:

http://faq.1and1.com/domains/domain_admin/11.html

If your domain has been expired for 10-30 days, it may be in redemption. In order to recover a domain from redemption you must print out and fax to 1&1 the “Domain Redemption Form” which can be found here:

http://faq.1and1.ca/image/PDF/Fillable%201and1%20LIT%20Form%20Domain%20Redemption%20Request.pdf

Hover

Grace Period: 40 days

Redemption Period: 30 days

Redemption Fee: $175 (does not include the renewal of the domain name)

Maximum time to redeem an expired domain: 75 days

To renew an expired domain within the first 40 days after expiration, you can access your Domain Control Panel at www.hover.com/login. Or you can process a no-hassle renewal here: www.hover.com/renew

After the grace period your domain enters a redemption period. To recover a domain from redemption, contact us by phone at 1-866-731-6556 or via email at [email protected] and we can assist you with recovering the domain.