It is important to be aware that when you register a .uk domain name you do not ‘own’ that domain name. Instead, the domain name is registered to you for a period of two years, after which the registrant (the current holder of the domain name) has the first chance to renew it for a further two years.

Domain names are subject to renewal every two years to ensure that those that are no longer wanted are removed from Nominet's register database and become available for others to use. 

Your registrar should contact you in advance of the renewal date to check whether you wish to renew your domain name.  Under our renewal system domain names can be renewed up to six months before the expiry date.

If your registrar does not send a renewal request for your domain name before expiry Nominet will send you a renewal reminder email to notify you that the domain name is due for renewal and provide you with contact details for your registrar.  Example renewal reminder. 

If a renewal fee has still not been received seven days after the expiry date then we will send you a pro forma invoice for the renewal fee by email and post using the contact details held on the register.  Example email invoice.

If the renewal fee is not received within the specified credit terms (30 days from the date of the invoice) the domain will be suspended for 60 days.  This means that the domain name and all associated services will stop working.  After the 60 day suspension period the domain name will be cancelled and will then be available for re-registration by someone else.  At any point during the suspension of the domain name you or your registrar can renew the domain name.

Nominet charges its members the same fee for the registration and renewal of a domain name.  Each two-year period is charged at the current fee level. 

What can you do to ensure your domain name is renewed?

• Contact your registrar in advance of expiry to arrange the renewal of your domain name
  
  
• It is vital that you keep your contact details up-to-date with your registrar and Nominet to enable us to contact you.
  
  
• It is a good idea to know the renewal date of your domain name, which you can check by using the WHOIS search on the home page of this site.
  
  
• Keep an eye on the registration status of your domain name.  This will tell you the stage your domain name is at in the renewal process.  For more information click here.
  
  
• If you receive a renewal demand for your registration that has not come from Nominet or your registrar, speak to your registrar to find out if it is genuine before you pay.