💰 Quick Answer: Redemption Costs $80-$200+
Redemption fees vary wildly by registrar. GoDaddy charges $80, Namecheap charges $150+, and some registrars charge over $200. This is on TOP of your normal renewal fee.
The Domain Lifecycle: How You Got Here
Understanding the timeline helps you know exactly where you stand and what options you have.
Active Period
Your domain works normally. Renew anytime at the standard rate (~$10-17).
Grace Period (0-30 days after expiration)
Domain may go offline or show a parked page. You can still renew at the normal price. This is your last cheap chance.
Redemption Period (30-60 days) ← YOU ARE HERE
Registrar has deleted the domain from their system. Registry still holds it. Recovery requires paying the redemption fee ($80-$200+) PLUS renewal.
Pending Delete (5 days)
Domain cannot be recovered. After 5 days, it drops and becomes available to anyone—or gets snapped up by drop-catching services.
Redemption Fee Comparison by Registrar
The redemption fee is set by the registrar, not the registry. This means there's huge variation—and it's worth knowing before you choose a registrar.
| Registrar | Redemption Fee (.com) | Grace Period | Total Cost to Recover |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoDaddy | $80 | 18 days | ~$104 |
| Namecheap | $150 | 30 days | ~$167 |
| Porkbun | $80 | 30 days | ~$91 |
| Dynadot | $80 | 30 days | ~$91 |
| Cloudflare | $80* | 40 days | ~$90 |
| Network Solutions | $175+ | 30 days | ~$213 |
| Gandi | $120+ | 30 days | ~$158 |
*Cloudflare passes through registry redemption fees at cost. Total cost includes redemption fee + renewal fee. Prices as of December 2025.
How to Redeem Your Domain
Step-by-Step Process
- Log into your registrar — Check your domain list for the expired domain
- Look for "Redeem" or "Restore" option — This is different from normal renewal
- Pay the redemption fee + renewal — Expect $90-$200+ total
- Wait for processing — Registry restoration takes 24-72 hours
- Verify DNS settings — Your nameservers may need to be reconfigured
Some registrars make you contact support to redeem. If you don't see a self-service option, open a ticket immediately—time is critical.
Why Are Redemption Fees So High?
The registry (Verisign for .com) charges registrars a redemption fee—currently around $80 for .com domains. Registrars then add their own markup.
Fee Breakdown Example (GoDaddy)
- Registry redemption fee: ~$80
- Registrar markup: ~$0
- Renewal fee: ~$24
- Total: ~$104
Fee Breakdown Example (Network Solutions)
- Registry redemption fee: ~$80
- Registrar markup: ~$95
- Renewal fee: ~$38
- Total: ~$213
The registrar markup is pure profit. Some registrars (like Cloudflare) pass through at cost; others see it as an opportunity to charge premium prices to desperate customers.
Should You Pay the Redemption Fee?
Consider these factors before deciding:
✅ Pay the Fee If:
- • Domain has established SEO value
- • Business email relies on the domain
- • Customers/clients know this address
- • Replacement domain would cost more
- • Brand reputation is tied to domain
❌ Let It Go If:
- • Domain was a side project
- • No significant traffic/backlinks
- • Easy to get a similar domain
- • Haven't used it in years
- • Redemption cost exceeds domain value
Prevent This From Happening Again
Enable auto-renewal and keep your payment method updated. Most registrars will send multiple warning emails before expiration—make sure they're not going to spam.
Consider a registrar with a longer grace period (Cloudflare offers 40 days) and lower redemption fees.
Compare Registrar Policies →