redemptionPeriod: the 30-day window before a domain drops

redemptionPeriod is defined by RFC 3915 (Domain Registry Grace Period Mapping for the EPP) and begins when the registrar formally requests deletion of an expired domain. Until that happens, expired domains sit in autoRenewPeriod where the registrar has effectively renewed the domain on the registrant's behalf and is waiting for payment.

During redemptionPeriod the domain does not resolve and the registrant has lost control of normal operations, but the name itself is still recoverable. Registrars charge a redemption fee — typically $80 at the low end, $200-$300 for premium gTLDs, and up to $700+ for some ccTLDs.

Whether the registrant actually recovers depends on (a) how valuable the domain is to them, (b) whether they realised the renewal lapsed in time, and (c) the registrar's outreach. Personal-use domains lapse for good reasons; business-critical domains almost always get recovered.

For domain buyers this status is interesting but not actionable. You cannot register the name and you cannot directly contact the registry. The signal is "watch closely; this might drop in 30+ days".

1. 01

   Day 0 — entered redemptionPeriod

   The registrar has formally deleted the domain at the registry. The 30-day countdown begins.

2. 02

   Day 1–29 — recovery possible

   The registrant can pay the redemption fee + a year of renewal to reclaim the name. The domain does not resolve in DNS during this phase.

3. 03

   Day 30 — transition

   If not recovered, the domain enters pendingDelete. The recovery window closes.

4. 04

   Day 30 + 5 days

   pendingDelete completes and the domain drops back to public availability.

• Add the domain to your watchlist if you are serious about it. The transition to pendingDelete is the trigger event.
• Do not contact the current registrant offering to buy the domain — they cannot transfer it cleanly during redemption, and they may decide to recover it precisely because someone showed interest.
• Track the calendar. redemptionPeriod typically transitions to pendingDelete 30 days after entry, then drops 5 days later — total ~35 days of waiting.
• For competitive names, set up a backorder now rather than waiting until pendingDelete. Some services place you in queue based on order time.

• A small business domain enters redemptionPeriod after the owner forgot to renew. Their email starts bouncing within hours. They typically pay the recovery fee within a week.
• A personal-name domain (firstnamelastname.com) lapses after 10 years. The original registrant has often forgotten about it and lets it drop. These are common reclamation targets.
• A 3-letter .com hits redemptionPeriod. The registrar will almost certainly auction it via NameJet or SnapNames if not recovered, rather than letting it drop publicly.

• pendingDeletependingDelete is the final EPP status before a generic top-level domain (.com, .net, .io) …
• autoRenewPeriodautoRenewPeriod is the EPP status that follows expiry. The registry has automatically rene…
• okThe "ok" EPP status indicates a domain in normal operating state — registered, present in …

• RFC 3915 — Domain Registry Grace Period Mapping for the EPP
• ICANN ERRP Policy