Pending Delete
Deletion has been requested or scheduled, but the domain has not yet been deleted.
- RDAP value
pending delete- Machine value
pendingDelete- Applies to
- Domain
At a glance
- What it signals
- Deletion has been requested or scheduled, but the domain has not yet been deleted.
- Typical owner
- Registry policy
- Normality
- It is normal only when the registrant intentionally allowed the domain to expire and be deleted.
A request to delete the domain has been received and is awaiting completion. During pending delete the domain is typically not resolving; the deletion may still be reversible depending on registry policy and timing.
What it means
Pending Delete means the domain is scheduled for deletion but has not yet been purged from the registry. In common gTLD lifecycle rules, it follows the redemption window after a deletion was requested and indicates that the remaining recovery opportunity is ending or has already ended. The exact timing depends on the TLD's policy.
Who sets it
The registry publishes and advances this status. A registrar may have initiated the deletion or failed to complete a restore, but the registry controls the lifecycle timer and final purge. The registrar is still the registrant's practical contact for confirming whether a restore or other recovery path remains available.
Is it normal?
It is normal only when the registrant intentionally allowed the domain to expire and be deleted. It is a critical status for a domain that must be retained. Pending Delete is not the same as an ordinary inactive domain: it signals a finite end-of-life process and possible loss of the name.
Should the registrant act?
If you want to keep the domain, contact the registrar immediately and ask whether restoration is still possible under the applicable registry policy. Do not wait for the status to disappear. Confirm account access, outstanding renewal or restore fees, and any documentation deadline. If the deletion was intentional, monitor the registry's release process instead.
How it can be removed
The status normally ends when the registry purges the domain; it is not removed by simply changing nameservers. Before purge, a registrar may be able to submit a restore or another permitted operation, often for an additional fee and with supporting documentation. After purge, recovery may be impossible and the name may later become available for registration.
Common status combinations
Pending Delete commonly follows Redemption Period and may be reported with it or with Pending Restore depending on timing and registry implementation. It can also appear alongside Server Hold or transfer and deletion prohibitions. These combinations matter because a restore request, not a routine renewal, is usually the relevant next step.
RDAP status defined in RFC 9083 §10.2.2. The corresponding domain status is defined by the EPP Domain Name Mapping in RFC 5731.