ICANN Requirements for Expired Domain Names

During a recent webinar, ICANN went through the new Expired Registration Recovery Policy (“ERRP”) for registrars – here’s the summary and what you need to know. Please make sure that you read the original Expired Registration Recovery Consensus Policy if you need any more details. Registrars have to comply with the new policy by August 31st, 2013. This policy was developed from the Generic Name Supporting Organization (GNSO)’s Post Expiration Domain Name Recovery (PEDNR) recommendations. ICANN’s Board of Directors adopted the policy and ran it through a public comment period.

Expired Registration Recovery Policy (“ERRP”)

• Registrars can delete domain names any time after they expire
• The existing DNS has to be “disrupted” for 8 days before deletion, meaning the domain name has to either be put on “Registrar Hold” effectively removing it from the zonefile or changing DNS to point to a registrar supplied site. If a page is displayed, it must include instructions for renewing the domain name.
• The registrant must be able to renew the domain name any time before deletion.
• If the domain is renewed the registrar must restore DNS “as soon as commercially possible”.
• The registry automatically renews the domain one the day of expiry and charges the registrar’s prepaid account
• If the domain transfers out or is deleted within 45 days of the expiry/autorenewal, the prepaid funds will be returned to the registar’s account
• After the domain name is deleted (unless a delete happens within the first 5 days after registration), the domain (for all gTLDs other than sponsored gTLDs) will enter the “Redemption Grace Period” (RGP), which lasts 30 days. During this time the domain may still be restored by the registrar at a higher cost. This must be offered by registrars.
• The domain name will then go into “Pending Delete” status and will be deleted after five days
• Any fees for renewals, post expiration renewals and redemptions must be displayed/be available to the registrant at the time of registration, for example as part of the registration agreement.
• The registrar’s published renewal policy also must reveal how renewal reminders will be sent.
• ICANN will publish information on this process on their website, registrars will have to link to it.
• Resellers will have to display all of this information as well.

Messaging Requirements

• Notify registered domain holder of the expiry of their names at least two times
• The notices may be combined for domains expiring at the same time.
• Approximately one month and one week before expiration.
• Sent in language of the registration agreement
• Must be sent to the “Registrant at Expiration” (RAE), meaning the holder of the name at expiration.
• If the name is not renewed until five days after expiry, another “Final Renewal Reminder” must be sent explaining how to renew the domain
• Registrars that send more or other notices may continue to do so
• No prescribed template
• Registrants cannot opt out of notices.
• All messages sent to the registered name holder must be available for audit.

Last modified: November 14, 2016 / Created: Wednesday, May 1st, 2013

Written by Frank

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