Getting back an expired or cancelled domain: quarantine and restoration period

If your domain has been cancelled or has expired, it's not gone right away. Almost every extension has a period during which only you can still retrieve it. In this article you'll read how long that is, what it costs and how to request it.

What happens after the end date?

If you cancel a domain in My WebOké (My Domains › your domain › Advanced card), we'll end it on the expiry date. After that, the domain goes into quarantine; for gTLDs such as .com this is called the redemption period. During this time:

• your website and email on that domain stop working;
• no one else can register or transfer the domain;
• only the previous holder can still have it retrieved.

After that period, the name becomes available and anyone can register it.

Terms and costs per extension

In addition to the amounts below, you also pay for registering the domain for one year.

• .nl: 40 days quarantine. Retrieving a domain that was with us costs € 20. Retrieving and transferring a domain that was with another registrar costs € 60.
• .be: 40 days quarantine. € 20 with us, € 50 from another registrar. See Quarantine and DNS BE domain names.
• .eu: 40 days quarantine. € 20 with us, € 40 from another registrar. See Quarantine and the .EU domain.
• .com, .net, .org and other gTLDs: after the expiry date, a redemption period of 30 days usually follows, and then a few more days of pending delete, during which retrieval is no longer possible.
• Other extensions: the costs and terms vary per extension. Ask us via a ticket.

A transfer of a domain in quarantine from another registrar must be completed before the end of the quarantine. If that's not possible, the name will still become available.

How to request restoration

1. Check in My WebOké under My Domains whether the domain is in quarantine. You'll see the status on the domain page.
2. Create a ticket in the Support Center with the domain name and ask for restoration from quarantine. You can't retrieve it yourself in My WebOké.
3. We'll check whether restoration is still possible and what it costs, and let you know.

Was the domain with another registrar? Then request the restoration there, or have it transferred out of quarantine through us. In that case, contact us before the quarantine expires.

Not cancelled, but still expired?

Haven't cancelled the domain, but there's an outstanding invoice? Pay it as soon as possible in My Invoices. Has your domain expired anyway? Then contact us. We'll check whether restoration is possible and what it costs.

Waiting until the domain becomes available?

You can also wait until the quarantine is over and then register the domain again afterwards. That's cheaper, but risky. There are companies that specifically target such domains and then resell them at a high price. If the domain is important to you, retrieve it from quarantine.

Detailed explanation with screenshots: Cancelling or transferring a domain in the WebOké manual.

You might also enjoy reading: The history of the Domain Name