What is the Redemption Grace Period?
The Redemption Grace Period (RGP) is a new delete process developed by ICANN and implemented in to the COM/NET Registry by VeriSign.
How does the RGP process work?
Prior to January 25th, domains were deleted in the following manner:
- Registrar deleted a domain name.
- Domain name was placed on registry-hold for 5 days (this removed it from the zone file).
- Domain was then deleted out of the Registry in a batch process on the 6th day.
Post January 25th, domain name deletions now follow the new RGP guidelines:
- Registrar deletes a domain name.
- Domain name is placed on RedemptionPeriod (RP) for 30 days.
- During this 30 day window, if the registrant would like the name redeemed, they need to:
- Call their registrar.
- The registrar will “restore” the domain name using the Restore Command for a fee. (This fee is determined by the registrar.)
- This places the domain on “PendingRestore” status for 7 days (and places the domain name back in the zone file).
- The registrar must then submit a restore report to the Registry.
- Once the Restore Command and Restore Report process is completed, the name goes back on “Active” status.
- If, after 30 days, the name is still in RP status, the domain name will be moved to PENDINGDELETE status for 5 days.
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- When in this status, the domain name WILL BE deleted.
- The status cannot be removed by the registrar or the Registry.
- On the 6th day, the name is then deleted from the Registry.