Pending Delete

Pending Delete is a status set by the WHO IS server for a domain name that has not been renewed. Domain names which expire normally get deleted. The registry will hold the name in the pending delete phase for some days. In the pending delete restorable state it is possible to recover the domain name within 30 days. The name can be recovered only by the original listed owner of the domain name in the WHO IS server. If the owner of the domain does not pay the restoration fee, then the registrar will drop the domain and it will be in the pending delete state for exactly 5 days.

If the registrar does not request the domain name to be in redemption grace period then the name automatically enters the redemption hold period where the status will be set to Pending Delete-Scheduled for Release. At this stage you cannot recover, modify or delete the domain name. It will soon be available for re-registration and so there is at least a chance of recovery during the pending delete-scheduled for release time. It is therefore strongly recommended to renew the domain name within the time limit.

Transfer requests are no longer permitted during the pending delete phase. During this stage the domain names will be removed from the Domain Name Server (DNS). However they will be available in the WHO IS with the date of deletion in the Last Updated Date Field. So a total of 35 days will be allowed for redemption period where the first 30 days will be in the pending delete-restorable stage and the remaining 5 days in the pending delete-scheduled for release stage. The registrar can use either the restore screen in the web-administrative site or the renew command with the redemption grace period extension. This will help in the termination of pending delete status and the registered name will be returned to the same status it had before the pending delete period.

During the pending delete restorable phase your domain name will be removed from the zone file. You cannot use the Internet services, including the e-mail facilities. However it will be available in the registry database. The renewal process during the pending delete phase (Restorable state) is costly and time consuming. It may take about 24 to 48 hours for the complete recovery of the domain name when it is in the pending delete phase.