Status codes for web domains in the Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP) provide information about the current status of a domain registration. At least one status code is set for each domain, but multiple EPP status codes can be assigned.
It is very important for registrants (owners of gTLD domain names) to understand EPP status codes. These codes can explain why your domain suddenly stopped working, whether it is protected from domain hijacking, and when/if your domain will expire and become available for registration again.
There are two different types of EPP status codes: client codes and server codes. Client status codes are set by the responsible domain registrar. Some registrars automatically set status codes when a domain is registered, while others set them upon request. Server status codes are set by registries and take precedence over client codes. Both types appear in the domain’s WHOIS record. Domain registrars manage their clients’ domains. A domain registry, entrusted by ICANN, manages the central database for a specific domain extension (also known as a top-level domain or TLD).
The 23 standardized EPP status codes and Registry Grace Period (RGP) status codes (see RFC3915) are listed and explained in the following tables. The tables explain what each status code means, why you should care about them, and what actions may be required.
Generally, please note that the latest version of these data may not be immediately visible when querying WHOIS. WHOIS information for gTLD domains can be updated with up to a 24-hour delay after the registrar makes a change.
| Status Code | What does it mean? | What should I do? |
|---|---|---|
| addPeriod | This grace period is given after the initial registration of a domain name. If the registrar deletes the domain during this period, the registry may credit the registrar for the registration cost. | This is an informational status set for the first few days of your domain registration. There is no issue with your domain name. |
| autoRenewPeriod | This is a grace period after your domain expires during which the registry automatically renews the domain. | This is an informational status set for a limited time after the registry automatically renews the domain. If you do not want to keep it (i.e., pay the renewal fee), you should contact your registrar immediately to discuss available options. |
| inactive | This status indicates that delegation information (name servers) has not been associated with the domain. The domain is not activated in DNS and cannot be accessed online. | If the domain remains in this status for several days, we recommend contacting your registrar to inquire about processing delays. If the TLD requires documentation for registration, you may need to provide the necessary documents. |
| ok | This is the standard status for a domain, meaning there are no pending operations or prohibitions. | Requesting your registrar to adopt status restrictions like clientTransferProhibited, clientDeleteProhibited, and clientUpdateProhibited can help prevent unauthorized transfers, deletions, or updates of the domain. |
| pendingCreate | This status indicates a domain creation request has been received and is in process. | If the TLD is in a special registration period (e.g., sunrise), this may mean the domain will be allocated at the end of that period. If not in a special period and you are not the listed registrant, you should contact your registrar immediately to resolve the issue. |
| pendingDelete | This status may be combined with redemptionPeriod or pendingRestore. If not combined, it indicates the domain was in redemptionPeriod for 30 days and was not restored. The domain will remain in this status for a few days before being purged and removed from the registry database, then becoming available for registration again. | If you want to keep the domain, contact your registrar immediately to discuss available options. |
| pendingRenew | This status indicates a domain renewal request has been received and is in process. | If you did not request to renew the domain and do not want to keep it, contact your registrar immediately to discuss available options. |
| pendingRestore | This status indicates the registrar has requested the registry to restore a domain in redemptionPeriod. The registry will keep the domain in this status while waiting for the registrar to provide restoration documentation. If documentation is not provided in time, the domain will revert to redemptionPeriod status. | Monitor the domain status during this frequently seven-day period to ensure the registrar submitted the correct restoration documents on time. If the period ends and the domain returns to redemptionPeriod, contact your registrar to resolve any issues preventing restoration. |
| pendingTransfer | This status indicates a domain transfer request to a new registrar has been received and is in process. | If you did not request the transfer, contact your registrar immediately to reject the transfer request on your behalf. |
| pendingUpdate | This status indicates a domain update request has been received and is in process. | If you did not request the update, contact your registrar immediately to resolve the issue. |
| redemptionPeriod | This status indicates the registrar has requested the registry to delete the domain. The domain is held in this status for 30 days. After five calendar days following the redemption period, the domain is deleted from the registry database and becomes available for registration. | If you want to keep the domain, contact your registrar immediately to resolve issues that led to the deletion request and redemptionPeriod status. Once resolved and fees paid, the registrar should restore the domain on your behalf. |
| renewPeriod | This grace period is offered after a domain registration period is explicitly extended (renewed) by the registrar. If the registrar deletes the domain during this period, the registry credits the registrar for the renewal cost. | This is an informational status set for a limited time after domain renewal by the registrar. If you did not request renewal and do not want to keep the domain, contact your registrar immediately to discuss options. |
| serverDeleteProhibited | This status prohibits domain deletion. It is an unusual status usually adopted during legal disputes, at your request, or during redemption periods. | This status may indicate an issue with your domain that needs resolving. Contact your registrar for information and to resolve the issue. If the domain has no issues and you want to delete it, you must first contact your registrar to coordinate with the registry to remove this status. Some registries offer Registry Lock Service allowing registrars to set this status as extra protection against unauthorized deletions. Removing this status may take longer than clientDeleteProhibited, as it requires a request to the registry. |
| serverHold | This status is set by the domain registry operator. The domain is not activated in DNS. | If you have provided delegation information (name servers), this status may indicate an issue requiring resolution. Contact your registrar for details. If no issues exist but DNS resolution is needed, contact your registrar to provide delegation info. |
| serverRenewProhibited | This status indicates the registry operator will not allow the registrar to renew the domain. Usually adopted during legal disputes or when the domain is being deleted. | This status often indicates an issue that needs prompt resolution. Contact your registrar for information and to resolve the problem. If no issues and you want to renew, contact your registrar to coordinate with the registry to remove this status. This process may take longer than clientRenewProhibited. |
| serverTransferProhibited | This status prohibits transfer of the domain to another registrar. Usually adopted during legal disputes or other reasons, at your request or during redemption periods. | This status may indicate an issue requiring prompt resolution. Contact your registrar for details. If no issues and you want to transfer the domain, contact your registrar to coordinate removal of this status. Some registries offer Registry Lock Service to set this status as extra protection against unauthorized transfers. Removing this status may take longer than clientTransferProhibited. |
| serverUpdateProhibited | This status blocks domain updates. Usually adopted during legal disputes, at your request, or during redemption periods. | This status may indicate an issue needing resolution. Contact your registrar for details or to resolve the issue. If no issues and you want to update the domain, contact your registrar to coordinate removal. Some registries offer Registry Lock Service to set this status as protection against unauthorized updates. Removing this status may take longer than clientUpdateProhibited. |
| transferPeriod | This grace period is offered after a successful domain transfer from one registrar to another. If the new registrar deletes the domain during this period, the registry credits the registrar for the transfer cost. | This is an informational status set for a limited time after domain transfer to a new registrar. If you did not request the transfer, contact the original registrar. |
Client Status Codes are Set by the Domain Registrar
| clientDeleteProhibited | This status tells the domain registry to reject domain deletion requests. | This status indicates deletion of the domain name registration is not possible, helping prevent unauthorized deletions due to hijacking or fraud. To delete the domain, contact your registrar first to remove this status. |
| clientHold | This status tells the registry not to activate the domain in DNS, so it will not resolve. Usually adopted during legal disputes, non-payment, or deletion processes. | This status often indicates an issue needing resolution. Contact your registrar to resolve it. If no issues and you need the domain to resolve, contact your registrar to remove this status. |
| clientRenewProhibited | This status tells the registry to reject domain renewal requests. Usually adopted during legal disputes or domain deletion. | This status often indicates an issue needing resolution. Contact your registrar to fix it. If no issues and you want to renew, contact your registrar to remove this status. |
| clientTransferProhibited | This status tells the registry to reject domain transfer requests to another registrar. | This status prevents unauthorized transfers due to hijacking or fraud. To transfer, contact your registrar to remove this status first. |
| clientUpdateProhibited | This status tells the registry to reject domain update requests. | This status prevents unauthorized domain updates due to fraud. To update, contact your registrar to remove this status first. |