Your registrar is your first port of call
When you registered your domain name, you dealt with a registrar. This could have been your Internet service provider (ISP) or another specialist company. Chances are you purchased your domain as part of a bundle which would have included your web site hosting and your email services. Whichever type of company it was, this is who you need to talk to.The first place to find out how your registrar recommends you renew your domain will be from their web site. If you don't know who they are, then this site can tell you. Simply enter your domain name on the left and click Go. You will then be told what state your domain name is in and when it is due for renewal. You can then find out who your registrar is by clicking on the link provided
Your registrar will give you details on how to renew your domain with them, whether that be by accessing an online account with them, by email, over the phone, or another method.
Most registrars will send you a reminder to renew your domain. However, when, how and how often you'll receive these depends on your registrar. And don't forget to keep your details with them up to date or you may not receive these reminders.
What if you don't know who your registrar is?
You're in the right place then - enter your domain on the left, check your registration details and renewal date and then click on the link to see your registrar's details.What if your registrar's name is not who you expected it to be?
Then there is a good chance you registered through a reseller. Resellers are companies with trading arrangements with registrars to register domain names on their behalf. Not to worry, this isn't unusual. There are many resellers operating in the domain name industry who provide excellent service to their customers. Unfortunately, we only hold details of the final registrar. If you can't remember or get in touch with the reseller you registered with, then try getting in touch with the registrar. They should be able to help you with your enquiry.What you'll need to do to renew
Your registrar will more than likely send you an email explaining the whole process. But if you are unsure or haven't received anything then it's worth checking their site.What happens if you don't renew before the expiry date?
If we haven't received a renewal request from your registrar before the expiry date, we'll send you a reminder.If the domain still hasn't been renewed within seven days we will send you a Nominet pro forma invoice. This is for renewal with Nominet rather than through your registrar and it costs £80 plus VAT. This fee is ONLY for your domain name renewal. It doesn't include any additional services that your registrar may provide like email and web hosting. We strongly recommend that you do NOT pay this invoice. Instead get hold of your registrar and renew through them. Your registrar may charge a lower fee than Nominet's direct fee.
If you still haven't renewed within 30 days of the invoice being sent, (through us or your registrar) we'll suspend the domain for 60 days. During the suspension period, all services related to the domain will cease to work - this includes your email and web site.
However, you can still renew during this period.
If it reaches the end of the suspension period, your domain name will be cancelled and become available for anyone to re-register.Renewal process summary
- Renew up to six months in advance
- On expiry date a Nominet reminder is sent
- Seven days after expiry a Nominet invoice is sent
- You can still renew through your registrar usually at a lower rate
- Suspended 37 days after expiry date
- Cancelled 97 days after expiry date