What happens after domain names expire?

Once a domain name expires, it goes through many stages before being released to the open market. GoDaddy sends five renewal emails to the GoDaddy account owner prior to the expiration date. Below is a timeline based on .com domain names.
These timelines do not apply to ccTLD domain names.

Days after expirationAction
Day 1We make the first of three billing attempts to renew the domain name. If the billing fails on the day of, or auto renew fails, the domain name expires and is immediately set to parking. The domain name can be renewed by the registrant at no extra cost.
Day 5We make the second billing attempt. The domain name remains in parking, but can still be renewed by the registrant at no extra cost.
Day 12We make the third and final attempt to renew the domain name. The domain name can still be renewable by the registrant at no extra cost.
Day 19The domain name can be renewed by the registrant for the cost of a one-year renewal plus an $80.00 redemption fee.
Day 26We add the domain name to an expired domain name auction.
Day 36The expired domain name auction ends. If there are no backorders and no bidders in the expired domain name auction, we list the domain name in a closeout auction.
Day 41The closeout auction ends.
Day 43We assign the domain name to the winner of the expired domain name auction, backorder, or closeout. If there are no bidders, we return the domain name to the registry.


A registrant can renew an expired domain name at no extra cost up to day 18. If they renew an expired domain name anytime between day 19 and day 42, they must also pay an $80.00 redemption fee. The domain name might not be available for renewal after day 42.

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