The status of a domain name can be seen in its whois information. To check the whois details of a domain name, you can use an online whois check tool such as dnsgoodies.com.
In this article we will explain what the most common domain status codes mean:
ACTIVE: This status is set by the registry. The domain name can be modified by the registrar and can be renewed. The domain will be included in the DNS zone if it has been pointed to at least one name server.
REGISTRY-LOCK: This status is set by the registry. The registrar cannot modify or delete the domain but it can be renewed. The REGISTRY-LOCK status must be removed by the registry for the registrar to be able to modify the domain. The domain will be included in the DNS zone if it has been pointed to at least one name server.
REGISTRAR-LOCK: This status is set by the sponsoring registrar. The domain can not be modified or deleted but it can be renewed. The registrar must remove the the REGISTRAR-LOCK status to modify the domain. The domain will be included in the DNS zone.
REGISTRY-HOLD: This status is set by the registry. The domain can not be modified or deleted by the registrar but it can be renewed. The REGISTRY-HOLD status must be removed by the registry for the registrar to be able to modify the domain. The domain will not be included in the DNS zone.
REGISTRAR-HOLD: This status is set by the sponsoring registrar. The domain can not be modified or deleted but it can be renewed. The registrar must remove the REGISTRAR-HOLD status to modify the domain. The domain will not be included in the DNS zone.
REDEMPTIONPERIOD: This status is set by the registry when the registrar requests the deletion of the domain name from the registry. The domain will not be included in the DNS zone. The domain name can not be purged or modified, it can only be restored. The domain can remain in this status for a maximum of 30 calendar days.
PENDINGRESTORE: This status is set by the registry when the registrar requests restoration of a domain name which is in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status. The domain will be included in the DNS zone. Registrar requests to modify the domain will be rejected. The domain will remain in this status while the registry waits for the registrar to provide the required restoration documentation. If the registrar fails to confirm the restoration request by providing the required documentation to the registry within 7 calendar days, the domain will revert to REDEMPTIONPERIOD status. If the registrar provides documentation to the registry within 7 calendar days to confirm the restoration request, the domain status will be set to ACTIVE by the registry.
PENDINGDELETE: This status is set by the registry after a domain has been set in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status and the domain has not been restored by the registrar. The domain will not be included in the DNS zone. All registrar requests to modify or otherwise update the domain in this status will be rejected. The domain will be purged from the registry database after being in this status for 5 calendar days.
