when does a domain actually expire?

If whois says a domain is expiring on, say, August 3rd, does it expire on midnight as soon as it becomes August 3rd? Or is it after the 3rd? And what time zone would it be?

 

It varies between differing TLDs, but for all the main ones it certainly won't be available on August 3rd - it will probably be between 2-3 months before its available for public registration.

 

I think it depends on your provider, Some will alert you a few weeks before it expires so you can re-register it earlier, but I'm not sure.

But if you intend to keep that domain I would register it a month before it ends.

 

I believe it officially expires at 11:59PM on August 3rd. Not sure what time zone. In practice it could be a few hours either way. Don't risk trying to renew at the last minute. If you are hoping to pick up an expiring domain it will be a couple of months before it is available to register.

 

Yeah, I am trying to grab another domain. Thanks for all your answers!

 

Try to research more on the "domain life cycle" using the search engines and article directories.

 

Thanks! I found this article which was very helpful: http://www.thinkingfish.com/support/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=6&nav=0,1

 

If I understood your thread correctly, I guess what you're really asking is when
a domain name will become available for re-registration?

A domain name expires on the date and time stamp listed. When it'll be free for
re-registration is another story.

 

Ok, I guess I thought that a domain was available as soon as it expired. I was asking what time of day it usually expired. I understand now. Thank you.

 

There are also services out there that can help you reserve a name ahead of time should that name become available. Of course, there are fees attached to that service. So, make sure it's a good name if you go that route. I have not gone through the process of reserving names, but many have. You can simply search for such places and experiences online, I'm sure.

Of course, the date a name expires is NOT the date when it becomes available to the public at large. Often times, depending on the registrar, there is a grace period of a couple of weeks. After that, possibly a 30 day redemption period. Some registrars will even renew the domain name and transfer it to another registrant or place it on the secondary market (the latter is a bit sketchy, of course).

Point being, that a good amount of time could pass between the expiration date and the date a name becomes available if it doesn't get renewed. Of course, there are services out there that are constantly monitoring the expired domain name lists. If it's a damn good name with some traffic stats or other potential, it might just get scooped up by them.

Of course, if you feel you have an edge, you can always contact the administrator of the domain name and ask if they would release it to you. Of course, you open up a greedy can of worms there since dollar signs will often pop-up in the complacent owner's eyes. But, it's another way of handling things.

Good luck with that, Mike!