Overview
When your domain registration expires, DreamHost holds it during a grace period so you can still renew it at the regular price, and you can also transfer an expired domain away from DreamHost, though some actions on locked or expired domains require contacting support.
What happens when my domain registration expires?
If a domain registration expires, DreamHost holds your expired domain for a 30-day grace period, allowing you to renew it at the regular price through your panel. During this period, you can renew your registration at the regular price. This is called the renewal grace period for a domain.
You must check the registry policy for your specific TLD, as not all TLDs, especially non-standard ones, offer a 30-day grace period. This depends on the registry policy for that specific TLD. However, the 30-day grace period applies to the standard COM/.NET/.ORG/.INFO domains.
Per ICANN policies, regardless of whether you wish to keep the domain name or not, as long as the registration is active, you will continue to receive notifications for the domain name you own. ICANN requires that domain owners receive notifications during the active registration period, even if they choose not to renew. Even if your domain is set to expire, ICANN will send reminders 4 weeks, 1 week before expiration, and a final notice on the expiration date.
How do I transfer an expired domain?
You can transfer a domain registration away from DreamHost if it’s expired, but some actions are blocked on expired domains. Expired domains that were locked cannot be unlocked from the panel. To unlock an expired domain, please contact support.
To avoid transfer failures, renew your domain with DreamHost if it has been expired for more than three weeks before starting the transfer.