Freeing Up Domain

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  christianneholly · Member · Nov 25, 2018 at 9:21 pm

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  I’ve recently let go of my domain that recently expired. I am making the switch from WordPress to Wix, and want to use the domain but it says the domain is not available when I try to buy it. Is there a way to make the domain available again?

  Thank you,
  CS

  The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

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  theoriginalnickgallop · Member · Nov 25, 2018 at 10:18 pm

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  Hey CS,

  What is the domain you’re trying to use?

  Once a domain expires it doesn’t immediately become available to register again.

  After expiry, the domain goes through a series of steps before possibly being released back into the pool of domains available to register.

  This support article gives more info:

  Domain Expiration

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  christianneholly · Member · Nov 26, 2018 at 5:01 am

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  The domain is Christianneholly.com
  I think I let go of it about a week ago.

  Thanks!
  CS

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  staff-zinnia · Staff · Nov 26, 2018 at 4:09 pm

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  Howdy –

  Thanks for the help here, @theoriginalnickgallop. Appreciate it!

  
  @christianneholly, that domain expired a while ago. It’s not in redemption yet, so that is great news :) I’ve reached out to our domain partner asking if it can be restored. As soon as we hear back someone will be in touch with an update. We will also send you a manual payment form at that time for the annual domain registration.

  This is the only way to guarantee you get to keep your domain. Once it is released it will likely get picked up by squatter services that will register it – this is suboptimal because it leaves you empty handed, and someone else owning the domain.

  Alternatively, you can wait out the cancellation and then redemption periods. This is super risky though as mentioned. And there isn’t any notification of “when” the domain becomes available again. So, basically, you have to keep trying to register it as new multiple times per day and hope no one gets to it first.

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  staff-zinnia · Staff · Nov 26, 2018 at 5:06 pm

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  We’re able to restore the domain. Please check your email for the payment link.

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  christianneholly · Member · Nov 28, 2018 at 7:07 am

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  Hi lizkarkoski!

  Thank you. I’ve received the email.

  After I make the payment and restore the domain, what steps do I take to transfer the domain to my new site on Wix?

  -CS

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  staff-zinnia · Staff · Nov 28, 2018 at 3:29 pm

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  There are 2 options to use the domain at Wix.

  1. Edit the name servers.

  That will be done through your WordPress.com account, and the domain remains registered with us. So each year, you renew the domain here. The name servers can be changed to point it any service.

  Instructions: https://en.support.wordpress.com/move-domain/change-name-servers/

  2. Transfer the domain.

  With this option the actual domain registration is going to be released from WordPress.com. You would then renew the domain with Wix, or where ever you chose to transfer it to.

  Instructions: https://en.support.wordpress.com/move-domain/