UK domain expiry
Renew a UK domain before its expiry date to avoid website and email disruption
A .uk domain is not normally released on the expiry date. Nominet currently allows renewal for up to 90 days after the exact expiry timestamp, but suspension begins earlier and renewal should never be left this late.
The current .uk expiry timeline
Expiry date
The registration term ends. Renew immediately even if the domain still appears to work.
About 30 days later
Nominet suspends the domain for non-renewal, interrupting website, DNS and email use.
At 90 days
The standard renewal window closes at the exact expiry time plus 90 days.
Release process
Nominet currently drops an unrenewed name at the expiry timestamp plus 95 days.
How to renew safely
Check My Domains
Confirm the exact expiry date, renewal status and any outstanding invoice.
Pay the correct invoice
Make sure payment completed and the domain status changes after processing.
Test your services
If the domain was suspended, allow DNS caches to refresh after renewal and test website and email.
If the domain is not in your UKC account
Contact the current registrar shown in the registration record. If you intend to transfer the domain, start while it is active. An expired status can restrict transfers and may require renewal or recovery with the current registrar first.
Official .uk rules
Nominet states that registrars can renew a .uk domain until exactly 90 days after expiry and that an unrenewed domain currently drops at expiry plus 95 days. Read the official Nominet renewal procedure for the current registry timetable.
Will my website stop on the expiry date?
It may continue briefly, but you should treat it as at risk immediately. Formal registry suspension normally occurs later.
Will email sent during suspension arrive after renewal?
Do not assume it will. Sending systems can reject or abandon messages while DNS and mail service are unavailable.
Can somebody register it as soon as it expires?
Not normally for a .uk domain. It follows the registry expiry and release process, but once released anyone may be able to register it.
Next step
Renew before services are interrupted
Open My Domains, check the expiry status and complete any renewal invoice.