Free Domain Expiry & Renewal Checker
Enter any domain below to instantly check its expiry date, registration details, status codes, DNSSEC, and renewal health. Powered by RDAP, the modern replacement for WHOIS.
Focused on renewal timelines and registration health. Need ownership and registrar details instead? Try the WHOIS Lookup tool.
New to domain management? Read our Domain Expiry and WHOIS guide for a full explanation.
What is a domain expiry check?
Every domain name has a registration period, typically 1 to 10 years. When that period ends, the domain expires and can be lost. A domain expiry check queries the authoritative registration database (RDAP) to show you exactly when your domain will expire, its current status, and whether anything is blocking renewal. Because it also flags renewal-blocking status codes, it doubles as a domain renew checker, not just an expiry date lookup.
Understanding Domain Status Codes
Domain status codes (also called EPP status codes) indicate the current state and restrictions on a domain. Understanding these codes is critical for maintaining domain security:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| clientTransferProhibited | Transfer lock is enabled (recommended) |
| clientDeleteProhibited | Domain is protected from accidental deletion |
| clientRenewProhibited | Registrar has blocked renewal. Contact them immediately |
| serverHold | DNS suspended by registry. Domain will not resolve |
| redemptionPeriod | Domain expired and deleted, but can still be restored at extra cost |
| pendingDelete | Domain is queued for deletion and cannot be recovered |
Why Domain Expiry Monitoring Matters
- Prevent service outages: An expired domain means your website, email, and all services go offline instantly.
- Avoid domain hijacking: Expired domains can be registered by anyone, including bad actors who use them for phishing.
- Detect renewal blocks: Status codes like serverRenewProhibited can prevent automatic renewal and need immediate action.
- Protect brand reputation: Losing a domain damages customer trust and SEO rankings that took years to build.
- Manage portfolios: Organisations with multiple domains need a single view of all upcoming renewals.
What is RDAP?
RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol) is the modern, ICANN-mandated replacement for WHOIS. Unlike legacy WHOIS which returns unstructured text, RDAP returns structured JSON over HTTPS, providing reliable and standardised domain registration data. Our tool uses RDAP exclusively for the most accurate results.
Monitor Domain Expiration Continuously
A one-off check tells you where things stand today, but domains can slip through the cracks when you manage dozens of them. Continuous domain expiration monitoring gives your IT team peace of mind by watching every domain on autopilot and alerting you well before anything expires.
ShieldMarc monitors domain expiration dates automatically alongside DMARC, SPF, SSL/TLS and DNS health. You get a single dashboard showing every domain your organisation relies on, with alerts for upcoming expiry, renewal blocks, and status code changes.
This free tool is perfect for quick checks. If you need automated expiry alerts, renewal block detection, and a unified monitoring dashboard for your IT team, start a free trial. Get notified before any domain expires, with 30 days free.
Want the full picture?
Our Security Grade scans domain registration and expiry alongside DMARC, SPF, SSL/TLS, and DNSSEC across your primary and alternate brand domains in one click.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when a domain expires?
When a domain expires, it typically goes through several phases: a grace period (0 to 45 days, varies by registrar) where you can still renew at normal cost, a redemption period (around 30 days) where restoration is possible but expensive, and finally pendingDelete where the domain is released back to the public pool.
How long after expiry can I recover my domain?
For most gTLDs such as .com, .net and .org you can usually renew at the normal price during your registrar's grace period (commonly around 30 days, registry maximum 45), then restore it for a fee during the 30-day redemptionPeriod, after which a 5-day pendingDelete phase makes recovery impossible — roughly 70–80 days in total. For .uk domains, Nominet lets you renew at the standard price until precisely 90 days after expiry, with the domain dropped at day 95. The safest and cheapest window is the initial grace period, so act as soon as the expiry date passes.
Do domains renew automatically?
Most registrars switch auto-renew on by default and attempt to charge your saved payment method shortly before expiry, but it fails silently if the card has expired or your account email is out of date. ICANN's Expired Registration Recovery Policy also requires registrars to email you at least two reminders — roughly one month and one week before expiry — though this rule does not apply to .uk, where Nominet operates its own notice schedule. Never assume auto-renew worked; check the expiry date independently.
Is this a domain renew checker as well as an expiry checker?
Yes. As well as showing when a domain expires, this domain renew checker reads the registration status codes that affect renewal — such as clientRenewProhibited or a registry serverRenewProhibited hold — so you can see at a glance whether the domain will renew cleanly or needs action before the deadline. It works for any gTLD and for .uk domains, with no sign-up needed.
When do .uk domains get deleted after expiry?
A .uk (or .co.uk) domain stays fully operational and renewable at the standard price for 30 days after expiry; Nominet emails a suspension warning at day 23 and suspends the domain at day 30, at which point it stops resolving. It can still be renewed until precisely 90 days after the expiry timestamp, then enters a five-day pending-delete phase and is dropped at expiry plus 95 days, at a published UTC time listed in Nominet's daily drop lists. Once dropped, it is available for anyone to register on a first-come, first-served basis.
How much does it cost to recover a domain in redemption?
Redemption (restore) fees are set by registrars and typically range from about £55 to £120 (US$70–150+) on top of the normal renewal price — GoDaddy charges around US$80, for example — plus a US$0.20 ICANN fee on gTLDs. By contrast, Nominet charges no redemption premium on .uk domains: you renew at the standard price at any point up to 90 days after expiry, although some registrars add their own late-recovery admin fees. Renewing during the initial grace period avoids these charges entirely.
Can someone buy my domain the moment it expires?
Not immediately — an expired domain passes through grace, redemption and pendingDelete phases before it is released, typically 70–80 days for a .com and 95 days for .uk. However, many registrars auction expiring domains well before they drop (GoDaddy lists expired names at auction from around day 26), and desirable names are drop-caught within seconds of release. Treat the post-expiry window as an emergency buffer, not a safety net.
What happens to my website and email when my domain expires?
Once the domain stops resolving — which can happen on expiry day at some registrars, and happens at day 30 for suspended .uk domains — your website goes offline and your MX records disappear, so inbound email bounces rather than queueing. Anything tied to the domain breaks too, including Microsoft 365/Google Workspace sign-ins and SPF, DKIM and DMARC authentication, and some registrars replace your site with a parking page during the grace period. Recovery restores the domain, but DNS propagation means services can stay degraded for hours afterwards.
How do I enable transfer lock on my domain?
Log in to your domain registrar and look for "Domain Lock", "Transfer Lock", or "Registrar Lock" in the domain settings. Enable it to set the clientTransferProhibited status, which prevents unauthorised transfers. This is a Level 4 (Resilient) requirement in the Security Grade.
Why does the checker show a different registrar than expected?
Some registrars use a parent or reseller relationship. The RDAP data shows the registrar of record as listed with ICANN, which may be the backend provider rather than the brand you purchased through. This is normal and does not affect domain ownership.
How far in advance should I renew my domain?
Enable auto-renewal and renew at least 90 days before expiry. The Security Grade requires 90+ days remaining at Level 4, ensuring a comfortable buffer against renewal failures or payment issues.