The status of a domain name can be seen in its who is information. To check the who is details of a domain name, you can use online who is checking tool such as who.is.

Note: A domain name registry is a database of all domain names and the associated registrant information in the top level domains of the Domain Name System (DNS) of the Internet that allow third party entities to request administrative control of a domain name. The domain name registrant is the organization or individual registering the domain name and a registrar is the company that takes your registration request and reserves your domain for you at the main registry.

In this article most common domain status codes are explained:

ACTIVE: This status is the normal state for a domain name. 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.

OK: The domain name is active and can be used for websites, email, or to register nameservers.

INACTIVE: Domain name cannot be used because name servers are not set or are incorrect.

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 cannot be modified or deleted.Domain can be used and renewed.

This is often done upon request by the domain name registrant.

REGISTRY-HOLD: This status is set by the registry. The domain cannot be modified or deleted by the registrar, but it can be renewed. The REGISTRY-HOLD status must be removed from 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 cannot 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 cannot be purged or modified, it can only be restored by paying redemption fees. The domain can remain in this status for a maximum of 30 calendar days.

PENDINGRESTORE: The registry sets this status after a registrar requests restoration of a domain that is in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status. The domain will be included in the zone. Registrar requests to modify or otherwise update the domain will be rejected. The domain will be held in this status while the registry waits for the registrar to provide required restoration documentation. If the registrar fails to provide documentation to the registry within 7 calendar days to confirm the restoration request, the domain will revert to REDEMPTIONPERIOD status. The domain status will be set to ACTIVE only if the registrar provides documentation to the registry within 7 calendar days to confirm the restoration request.

PENDINGDELETE: The registry sets this status 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 zone. Once in this status all registrar requests to modify or otherwise update the domain will be rejected. The domain will be purged from the registry database after being in this status for 5 calendar days.

CLIENT_DELETE_PROHIBITED: The registrar locked the domain name so that it cannot be deleted.

SERVER_DELETE_PROHIBITED: The registry locked the domain name so that it cannot be deleted.

CLIENT_HOLD: The registrar placed the domain name on hold, and it cannot be used.

SERVER_HOLD: The registry placed the domain name on hold, and it cannot be used.

CLIENT_RENEW_PROHIBITED: The registrar locked the domain name so that it cannot be renewed.

SERVER_RENEW_PROHIBITED: The registry has locked the domain name so that it cannot be renewed.

CLIENT_TRANSFER_PROHIBITED: The registrar locked the domain name so that it cannot be transferred to another registrar.

SERVER_TRANSFER_PROHIBITED: The registry locked the domain name so that it cannot be transferred to another registrar.

CLIENT_UPDATE_PROHIBITED: The registrar locked the domain name to prevent its settings from being changed.

SERVER_UPDATE_PROHIBITED: The registry locked the domain name to prevent its settings from being changed.

PENDING_TRANSFER: The domain name is in the process of being transferred from one registrar to another. It may not be modified during this period.

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domain name status codes