processes and timelines

Domain name backorders

backorder process information

Get The domain name you want!

Available

When a domain appears as available it is open for registration to anyone. You can check if a domain is available by using a whois service such as Dynamic Bloom’s whois service or 43 whois.com. If the domain is available the registry will return a response similar to:
No match for “THISDOMAINISAVAILABLE.COM”.

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Active

The active or ok status denotes a successfully registered domain. In order to stay in an active status, the contact data must be accurate and up to date. Failure to keep accurate contact data could result in domain deletion. As an active domain, the DNS will appear in the root zone and there are no other pending actions. Most extensions will allow you to register a domain from one year up to 10 years maximum.

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Expired

A domain will still be delegated to the registrar anywhere from a day after expiration up to 60 days depending on the registrar and extension. An expired domain may remain in the registrant’s registrar portal and may retain DNS so it resolves, but it is not required. A registrar has the option to modify any of these records and/or push the domain to the next stage in the lifecycle. In addition, expiry backorder registrar partners will update their inventory to include these domains at various times during the expiration status phase. Generally, this is the best time to place a backorder through the registrar dropcatch partner.

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RGP

A registrar may request the deletion of a domain to the registry for a number of reasons including but not limited to non-payment for the renewal, manual deletion for breach of contract, or registrant request. A domain typically remains in the redemption grace period (RGP) for a period of 30 days. During this phase, the registrant may request the registrar to restore the domain only to the prior registrant. Usually the cost is much more than a typical domain renewal.

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Pending Delete

The pendingDelete status directly follows the RGP status if the domain is not redeemed by the registrant. This status indicates that no action can be taken on the domain. It is not redeemable nor can it be registered. It will remain in this status for five (5) calendar days until it is released and is available once again.

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Domain Name Lifecycle

Timeline

Thousands of domain names become available each and every day of the year. Many domains drop either because the domain name registrant is no longer in business or just forgets to renew. Having the correct backorder process information will give you the advantage over your competition when securing the brand for your business. Knowing when and how to backorder will put your business on the front line for success.

Backorder Types

Deleting vs. Expiry domain drops

There are two primary types of domain drops which will occur at different times in the domain’s lifecycle, expiry auctions and deleting auctions. An expiry auction will occur prior to the domain deleting and entering the redemption grace period. Some registrars will make the domain available for purchase through an auction between 25 to 41 days after the expiration date. Each registrar will run the expiry auction with little differences. For example, Namejet who is the expiry partner for Network Solutions and eNom will run a closed three day auction for all prospective buyers who placed a backorder for the domain. Only those who placed backorders prior to the cutoff date are allowed to bid in the auction and no outside bids are permitted. Expiring Godaddy domain auctions are a little different. The expiring domain inventory is made available to anyone to backorder up to the auction end date/time. This is considered an open auction where a backorder is not required to view the auction and current bid. Anyone may enter the auction up until its conclusion. To avoid auction sniping Godaddy will extend the amount of time when a bid is made with under 5 minutes left in the auction until there are no more bids.

The other type of domain drop occurs after the domain passes through the redemption grace period (RGP) and the pending delete period until it is released by the registry. Deleting domains are typically acquired through backorder placed at a domain dropcatching company such as Snapnames, Dropcatch, and Pheenix. Depending on the registry, registrars are given early access to the drop so it is nearly impossible to hand register a domain name if there is interest. A backorder will give the prospective registrant the best opportunity to acquire the targeted domain name. Also, most dropcatch regsitrars will not charge for the backorder submission, the registrant will only be charged for a successful acquisition.

Domain state

Status Codes

A domain may appear in many different states within its lifecycle. Each state has a specific requirement and result. In an effort to standardize domains, ICANN set forth a description for each domain as they progress through the domain lifecycle.

EPP Status Code	What does it mean?
addPeriod	This grace period is provided after the initial registration of a domain name. If the registrar deletes the domain name during this period, the registry may provide credit to the registrar for the cost of the registration.
autoRenewPeriod	This grace period is provided after a domain name registration period expires and is extended (renewed) automatically by the registry. If the registrar deletes the domain name during this period, the registry provides a credit to the registrar for the cost of the renewal.
inactive	This status code indicates that delegation information (name servers) has not been associated with your domain. Your domain is not activated in the DNS and will not resolve.
ok	This is the standard status for a domain, meaning it has no pending operations or prohibitions.
pendingCreate	This status code indicates that a request to create your domain has been received and is being processed.
pendingDelete	This status code may be mixed with redemptionPeriod or pendingRestore. In such case, depending on the status (i.e. redemptionPeriod or pendingRestore) set in the domain name, the corresponding description presented above applies. If this status is not combined with the redemptionPeriod or pendingRestore status, the pendingDelete status code indicates that your domain has been in redemptionPeriod status for 30 days and you have not restored it within that 30-day period. Your domain will remain in this status for several days, after which time your domain will be purged and dropped from the registry database. Once deletion occurs, the domain is available for re-registration in accordance with the registry’s policies.
pendingRenew	This status code indicates that a request to renew your domain has been received and is being processed.
pendingRestore	This status code indicates that your registrar has asked the registry to restore your domain that was in redemptionPeriod status. Your registry will hold the domain in this status while waiting for your registrar to provide required restoration documentation. If your registrar fails to provide documentation to the registry operator within a set time period to confirm the restoration request, the domain will revert to redemptionPeriod status.
pendingTransfer	This status code indicates that a request to transfer your domain to a new registrar has been received and is being processed.
pendingUpdate	This status code indicates that a request to update your domain has been received and is being processed.
redemptionPeriod	This status code indicates that your registrar has asked the registry to delete your domain. Your domain will be held in this status for 30 days. After five calendar days following the end of the redemptionPeriod, your domain is purged from the registry database and becomes available for registration.
renewPeriod	This grace period is provided after a domain name registration period is explicitly extended (renewed) by the registrar. If the registrar deletes the domain name during this period, the registry provides a credit to the registrar for the cost of the renewal.
serverDeleteProhibited	This status code prevents your domain from being deleted. It is an uncommon status that is usually enacted during legal disputes, at your request, or when a redemptionPeriod status is in place.
serverHold	This status code is set by your domain’s Registry Operator. Your domain is not activated in the DNS.
serverRenewProhibited	This status code indicates your domain’s Registry Operator will not allow your registrar to renew your domain. It is an uncommon status that is usually enacted during legal disputes or when your domain is subject to deletion.
serverTransferProhibited	This status code prevents your domain from being transferred from your current registrar to another. It is an uncommon status that is usually enacted during legal or other disputes, at your request, or when a redemptionPeriod status is in place.
serverUpdateProhibited	This status code locks your domain preventing it from being updated. It is an uncommon status that is usually enacted during legal disputes, at your request, or when a redemptionPeriod status is in place.
transferPeriod	This grace period is provided after the successful transfer of a domain name from one registrar to another. If the new registrar deletes the domain name during this period, the registry provides a credit to the registrar for the cost of the transfer.
clientDeleteProhibited	This status code tells your domain’s registry to reject requests to delete the domain.
clientHold	This status code tells your domain’s registry to not activate your domain in the DNS and as a consequence, it will not resolve. It is an uncommon status that is usually enacted during legal disputes, non-payment, or when your domain is subject to deletion.
clientRenewProhibited	This status code tells your domain’s registry to reject requests to renew your domain. It is an uncommon status that is usually enacted during legal disputes or when your domain is subject to deletion.
clientTransferProhibited	This status code tells your domain’s registry to reject requests to transfer the domain from your current registrar to another.
clientUpdateProhibited	This status code tells your domain’s registry to reject requests to update the domain.

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