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 on the expiry date. This reminder lets you know who your registrar is and gives you a link to their web site.30 days after the expiry date, if it is not renewed the domain name will be suspended. During the suspension period, all services related to the domain will cease to work - this includes your email and web site. We will send you a warning seven days before suspension, and again on the day it is suspended.
The suspension period lasts for 60 days and you can still renew your domain name at any point during the suspension period. The reminders that we've sent you recommend that you renew through your registrar, however at this point it is now possible to renew directly with Nominet. Renewing your domain name directly with Nominet is generally much more expensive than using a registrar. The fee for a direct renewal is £80 plus VAT, and remember that this fee only covers the domain name renewal, it does not include any web site, email accounts or any other services that your registrar or ISP provides.
At the end of the suspension period, 90 days after the expiry date, the domain name will be cancelled. and becomes available for any one to re register. We will send you a warning 7 days before the domain name is due to be cancelled.
Renewal process summary
- Renew up to six months in advance
- Your registrar will generally send you reminders
- On the expiry date a Nominet reminder is sent
- 23 days after expiry a suspension warning is sent
- 30 days after expiry a suspension notification is sent
- You can still renew your domain name through your registrar
- 83 days after expiry a cancellation warning is sent
- You can still renew your domain name
- Cancelled 90 days after expiry date
- The domain is then available for anyone else to register