Pending Delete (Drop)
The final status before an unrenewed domain is released back to the public for registration.
Published on June 22, 2026By Namefi Team
- glossary
Pending delete is the last status in a lapsed domain's lifecycle: after the redemption period ends without recovery, the registry marks the name pendingDelete for about five days, during which it cannot be renewed or transferred. At the end of that window the domain drops — it is purged and released back to the public, available to register again first-come-first-served. This moment is what backorder and drop-catching services race to capture for desirable names.
Related keywords
- pending delete
- domain drop
- drop catching
- expired domain
- release