Losing access to a domain name can be stressful, especially when it powers a business website, email system, or brand identity.

If your domain has expired, you may still have a chance to recover it during a stage called the Redemption Grace Period (RGP). This guide explains what RGP is, how long it lasts, and exactly what you can do to recover an expired domain before it is permanently deleted.

What Is the Redemption Grace Period?

The Redemption Grace Period (RGP) is a recovery phase defined by ICANN and domain registries that allows a former registrant to restore an expired domain after it has been deleted but before it becomes permanently unavailable.

During this period:

• The domain is removed from the active zone

• The website and email services stop working

• The domain is no longer renewable at the standard price

• The original registrant still has priority rights to recover it

Once the RGP ends, the domain moves closer to permanent deletion.

Domain Expiration Lifecycle Explained

Understanding the full lifecycle helps clarify where RGP fits.

1. Active Period

The domain is registered and fully functional.

2. Expiration Date

If not renewed by the expiration date:

• Services may stop

• The domain enters a grace phase (varies by registrar)

3. Grace / Auto-Renew Period (Registrar-Level)

4. Redemption Grace Period (Registry-Level)

• Typically lasts up to 30 days

• The domain status becomes redemptionPeriod

• Recovery requires a redemption fee in addition to renewal

5. Pending Delete

• Usually lasts 5 days

• The domain can no longer be recovered

• After this stage, the domain is released for public registration

How Long Does the Redemption Grace Period Last?

If your domain is in RGP, follow these steps immediately.

Step 1: Check the Domain Status

Step 2: Contact Your Registrar

Step 3: Pay the Redemption Fee

Recovery typically requires:

• A redemption (restore) fee charged by the registry

• A standard renewal fee (usually 1 year)

Redemption fees are higher because the registry must manually restore the domain.

Step 4: Wait for Restoration

Once submitted:

• Restoration may take several hours to a few days

• DNS services may require additional propagation time

After recovery, the domain returns to an active status.

Why Is the Redemption Fee Higher?

Redemption is not a normal renewal.

The higher cost reflects:

• Manual intervention at the registry level

• Reinstating the domain into the zone

• Administrative processing beyond standard automation

Registrars do not control registry redemption pricing — it is imposed by the registry.

If the domain status is Pending Delete:

• Recovery is no longer possible

• The domain will be released after the deletion period

• Anyone may register it once it becomes available

At this stage, the only option is to monitor availability or attempt re-registration once released.

To prevent expiration issues:

• Enable auto-renewal

• Keep your payment method up to date

• Monitor renewal reminders

• Register important domains for multiple years

• Maintain accurate registrant contact information

Proactive management is always cheaper and safer than recovery.

As an ICANN-accredited registrar, NiceNIC follows ICANN and registry-defined domain lifecycle rules and aims to:

• Provide clear expiration and redemption notifications

• Offer transparent recovery options when available

• Avoid unexpected domain loss whenever possible

• Assist users promptly during recovery windows

If a domain is still recoverable, acting quickly is critical.

The Redemption Grace Period is the last opportunity to recover an expired domain before it is permanently deleted.

If your domain has expired:

• Check its status immediately

• Contact your registrar without delay

• Act before the Pending Delete stage begins

Understanding the domain lifecycle can help you protect valuable digital assets and avoid unnecessary loss.