At Search.Initiative Registrar, we understand that domain names are valuable digital assets. Allowing a domain to expire can cause significant disruption to your online presence, email systems, and business operations. Our Renewal & Expiry Policy explains how we notify customers about upcoming renewals, how the expiration process works, and what steps can be taken to recover expired domains. This policy applies to all domains registered through Search.Initiative Registrar, regardless of extension (.com, .net, .uk, etc.) and ensures compliance with ICANN, Nominet, and other global registry requirements.
Purpose of This Policy
The goal of this policy is to:
- Ensure customers are fully informed about their renewal responsibilities.
- Provide clear timelines and procedures for renewals and expirations.
- Prevent unintentional loss of domain ownership.
- Maintain compliance with international domain management standards.
We encourage all customers to review this policy carefully and keep their contact information updated to receive timely renewal notices.
Renewal Responsibility
Domain renewal is the registrant’s responsibility. Search.Initiative Registrar provides advance notifications and convenient renewal options, but the final responsibility lies with the domain owner. Customers must:
- Ensure their billing information is accurate and valid.
- Enable renewal notifications from their account dashboard.
- Complete payment before the expiration date to avoid suspension.
Failure to renew on time may result in temporary service interruption or permanent loss of the domain.
Renewal Notifications
To help customers avoid accidental expiration, Search.Initiative Registrar sends multiple renewal reminders before the expiry date.
Typical notification schedule:
- First reminder: 30 days before expiry.
- Second reminder: 15 days before expiry.
- Final reminder: 5 days before expiry.
Reminders are sent via email to the registrant’s primary contact address and displayed within the customer dashboard. Customers should whitelist our communication domain (search.initiative) to ensure messages are not blocked or sent to spam folders.
Renewal Methods
Domains can be renewed through several methods.
Manual Renewal
Customers can log into their Search.Initiative Registrar account and manually renew their domain(s) at any time before the expiration date.
Automatic Renewal
Customers can enable Auto-Renew to ensure continuous ownership. The system will automatically charge the registered payment method before the renewal date.
Bulk Renewal
Multiple domains can be renewed simultaneously using our bulk management tool, allowing organizations to manage large portfolios efficiently. All renewals are confirmed by email once payment is successfully processed.
Expiry Process and Grace Periods
If a domain is not renewed by its expiry date, it enters a structured post-expiry process defined by registry policies.
Grace Period
Most domains enter a Grace Period immediately after expiration (typically 0–30 days). During this time, the domain may stop resolving, but the registrant can still renew it at the standard renewal rate.
Redemption Period
If the domain is not renewed during the Grace Period, it may move to a Redemption Period (usually 30 days). During redemption, the domain can still be restored, but an additional restoration fee applies as required by the registry.
Deletion and Availability
After the Redemption Period, if no renewal or restoration occurs, the domain is deleted from the registry and becomes available for new registration by the public.
Service Suspension and Effects of Expiry
When a domain expires, associated services such as websites, email accounts, and DNS hosting may stop functioning. Immediate consequences include:
- Loss of website visibility and email delivery.
- Temporary suspension of DNS resolution.
- Potential reputational damage or security risks if the domain is re-registered by another party.
To avoid these risks, it is essential to renew domains on time or enable automatic renewal.
Domain Recovery After Expiry
Search.Initiative Registrar provides recovery options for domains that have recently expired.
Steps to Recover:
- Log in to your account and check domain status.
- If the domain is within the Grace Period, you can renew it normally.
- If it has entered the Redemption Period, contact support@search.initiative for assistance.
- Pay the applicable redemption and renewal fees.
Once payment is confirmed, the domain will be reactivated within 24–48 hours.
Auto-Renewal Terms
When Auto-Renew is enabled:
- The renewal transaction occurs approximately 7 days before expiration.
- The default payment method on file will be charged automatically.
- A confirmation receipt will be sent to the registered email address.
If the payment fails (for example, due to expired card details), a notification will be sent immediately, and Auto-Renew will be retried before the expiration date. Customers are responsible for ensuring their payment details remain valid and updated.
Non-Renewal and Domain Deletion
If a customer chooses not to renew a domain:
- The domain will naturally expire at the end of its registration term.
- It will remain inactive during the grace period before deletion.
- After deletion, the domain may be publicly available for re-registration by others.
Once deleted, the original registrant no longer holds any rights to the domain.
Special Registry Policies
Certain registries have unique renewal or redemption timelines. For example:
- .UK domains (Nominet): 30-day renewal grace, followed by suspension and eventual deletion.
- .EU domains (EURid): immediate suspension after expiry, with a 40-day redemption window.
- .COM/.NET domains (Verisign): 30-day grace period and 30-day redemption period.
Customers are encouraged to consult specific registry policies for exact renewal rules.
Refunds and Cancellations
Domain renewals are typically non-refundable, as they are processed immediately with the registry. Exceptions may apply in cases of:
- Duplicate renewals caused by system error.
- Technical faults on our side.
- Registrations that fail due to registry rejection.
Account and Contact Management
To ensure you receive all renewal notifications:
- Keep your account email address and billing details current.
- Add Search.Initiative Registrar to your email whitelist.
- Review your domain portfolio regularly.
If you manage domains on behalf of clients, ensure your contact details are distinct from theirs to avoid confusion.
Registry Compliance
Search.Initiative Registrar follows renewal and expiry requirements as set forth by ICANN, Nominet, and all relevant registries. This includes compliance with:
- ICANN’s Expired Registration Recovery Policy (ERRP).
- Nominet’s Domain Renewal and Deletion Policy.
- Registry-specific redemption procedures.
These standards ensure consistency and transparency across all domain extensions we manage.
Policy Updates
We may update this Renewal & Expiry Policy periodically to reflect changes in registry rules or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on our website with an effective date. By continuing to use our services, customers agree to the latest version of this policy.