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What does the status of a domain name mean?

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Last Updated: July 6, 2007 11:28 AM

There are 23 domain status codes that you may come across when using DomainAlert Pro. This is not as complex as it sounds. Most of these are variations of a few basic states.

Let’s start with the basics. A domain can be ACTIVE or OK. This is the normal state for a domain name. Domains that are active can be used for web sites, for email, or to register name servers.

As you may know, the registrant of a domain name can also transfer it from one registrar to another. A few status codes exist to keep track of a domain when changes like this are pending. Likewise, canceling a domain registration can put it into a PENDING status.

Domains can also be placed in a LOCK or HOLD status. The registrant of a domain name might do this to prevent its settings from being casually altered by his or her associates. A registrar or registry might also lock or hold a domain as needs require.

COM and NET Domains

These are the 6 status codes used for COM and NET domains:

ACTIVE
As previously noted, the normal state for a domain name. Domains that are active can be used for Web sites, for email, or to register name servers.
REGISTRAR-HOLD
The domain has been placed on hold by the registrar and cannot be used.
REGISTRY-HOLD
The domain has been placed on hold by the registry and cannot be used.
REGISTRAR-LOCK
The registrar, often at the request of the domain registrant, has locked down the domain so that its settings cannot be modified.
REGISTRY-LOCK
The registry has locked down the domain so that its settings cannot be modified.
REDEMPTIONPERIOD
The domain has expired and the registry is waiting for 30 days as a precautionary measure before releasing it.
PENDINGRESTORE
A domain that had expired is now being restored to ACTIVE status.
PENDINGDELETE
The domain expired 75 days ago and the registry is about to erase it. A domain remains in this status for five days before it is deleted.

ORG, BIZ, US, INFO, and NAME Domains

Here are the 15 status codes used for ORG, BIZ, US, INFO, and NAME domains:

CLIENT_DELETE_PROHIBITED
The registrar has locked the domain so that it cannot be deleted.
SERVER_DELETE_PROHIBITED
The registry has locked the domain so that it cannot be deleted.
CLIENT_HOLD
The registrar has placed the domain on hold, and it cannot be used.
SERVER_HOLD
The registry has placed the domain on hold, and it cannot be used.
CLIENT_RENEW_PROHIBITED
The registrar has locked the domain so that it cannot be renewed.
SERVER_RENEW_PROHIBITED
The registry has locked the domain so that it cannot be renewed.
CLIENT_TRANSFER_PROHIBITED
The registrar has locked the domain so that it cannot be transferred to another registrar.
SERVER_TRANSFER_PROHIBITED
The registry has locked the domain so that it cannot be transferred to another registrar.
CLIENT_UPDATE_PROHIBITED
The registrar has locked the domain to prevent its settings from being changed.
SERVER_UPDATE_PROHIBITED
The registry has locked the domain to prevent its settings from being changed.
INACTIVE
The domain cannot be used because there is a problem with the name servers that were entered for it, or name servers have not been entered.
OK
The domain is active and can be used for Web sites, for email, or to register name servers.
PENDING_DELETE
The registration for the domain is about to be deleted by the registry, as when the domain expires.
PENDING_TRANSFER
The domain is in the process of being transferred from one registrar to another. It may not be modified during this period.
PENDING_VERIFICATION
The registry is in the process of creating the domain record.