Registry Hold

Your domain is said to be in registry hold when it is not available for use. You cannot transfer or modify the domain name during this period. Registry hold actually prevents the names from appearing in the root zone file. Registry hold is one of the eight different status values in the Registry Registrar Protocol (RRP). The .net and .com registries and some top level domains of countries use these codes.

Normally, after the expiration of the registration, the domain name will be kept in the registry hold state. After the time of expiration the registrant can renew the registration by paying the renewal fees and an extra service fee. Otherwise the deleted domain will be kept for a redemption period. If the domain is not restored within that period, then the registrar will keep that domain name in registry hold for some days and it is then made available for re-registration. If the name is entered in the scheduled for release status then no action can be taken to restore the domain name.

The domain name may also be put in registry hold in case of disputes. If the top level domain administrator receives any challenge, then also the domain name will be kept in registry hold. While the domain name is in the registry hold, the registrant cannot change any of the contact information for that domain name. Neither can he transfer that domain name to any other party.

The names which are in the process of deletion will be found in the registry hold in a special state of the "delete pending" process. After five days (the period of registry hold or delete pending) these domain names cannot be recovered by either the registrant or the registrar. They will be released only if a satisfactory plan is made to return them to the section of available names where all the registrars have the right to access them.

In case any special interest has been placed on a particular domain name, then there is at least a chance to recover the domain name. Otherwise you may get a chance to re-register your domain name once it becomes available. In the registry hold state, home page application and e-mail application are impossible.