A domain moves through several defined stages from the day it is registered until it either renews or is released back to the public. Knowing these stages helps you act before losing a name.
The Stages
- Active: the domain is registered and working normally.
- Expired: the registration date has passed. The domain may stop resolving, but you can usually still renew at the normal price.
- Grace period: a short window after expiry where renewal is still simple.
- Redemption: the domain is held by the registry and can be recovered, but a higher redemption fee applies.
- Pending delete: a final window of a few days where renewal is no longer possible.
- Released: the domain becomes available for anyone to register again.
Typical Timeline
| Stage | Approximate duration | |-------|---------------------| | Grace period | 0 to 30 days | | Redemption | up to 30 days | | Pending delete | about 5 days |
Exact timings vary by extension. International domains like .com follow ICANN rules, while .co.ke and other .ke domains follow KENIC policy, which can differ.
What to Do
- Renew during the active or grace period to avoid extra fees.
- If you reach redemption, act immediately and expect a redemption charge.
- Once a domain is released, you compete with anyone else who wants it.
The safest approach is to renew well before expiry and enable auto-renewal. Check any domain's current stage with the WHOIS lookup on the NairoHost site, or ask support on WhatsApp at +254 796 358081.