A cooling-off phase (called Redemption Grace Period – RGP) after deletion has been established for second-level domain names in the .de name space. This service protects domain holders against an unintentional loss of their domain(s) by accidental deletion.

What is the Redemption Grace Period?

If the registration of a .de domain is terminated, the deletion of the domain is followed by a 30-day cooling-off phase, the so-called Redemption Grace Period (abbreviated RGP). During the RGP, the deleted domain can only be re-registered for the last domain holder or for a third party named by the last domain holder. There is no charge for a domain being in the RGP.

What effect does the RGP have on domain deletions?

Deleted domains do not immediately become available for registration by a third party. Instead, during the 30-day grace period, the domain can only be newly registered for the last domain holder or for a third party named by the last domain holder.

What is important when registering a domain?

Domains cannot be registered by a third party during the 30-day RGP. Only if the domain has not been newly registered for the last domain holder or at his request during the grace period, will the relevant domain name become available for registration by any interested party. 

How are domains displayed in the DENIC information services when they are in the RGP?

Queries relating to deleted domains in ongoing RGP will be responded to differently, depending on which information service is being used. Queries via the Domain Query service will be answered as follows:
The domain "[placeholder].de" was deleted on DD.MM.YYYY and is currently in a cooling-off phase (Redemption Grace Period – RGP).

How can a deleted domain re-registered while they are in the RGP?

The Redemption Grace Period makes it possible for the last domain holder to newly register the domain name through their former registrar. Alternatively, the registration may also be processed through another provider. To newly register the domain, this other provider must carry out a provider transfer using AuthInfo in the name of the last domain holder.

To do so, the provider requests DENIC to create the AuthInfo (similar to the procedure if the current provider cannot provide an AuthInfo). DENIC sends the AuthInfo to the last holder of the domain by registered mail; the letter is addressed to the holder's address stored in the DENIC database. At the same time, an encrypted version of the newly created AuthInfo is stored in DENIC's domain database. The domain holder communicates the AuthInfo to the provider of their choice and the domain can then be newly registered.

The re-registration of a domain name which is in the grace period for its last holder is associated with costs for the provider (registrar) acting on behalf of the holder. The domain holder must expect these costs to be passed on to them.

Are there any exemptions from the RGP provisions?

RGP provisions do not apply in the following cases:

• DENIC may deviate from the 30-day cooling-off phase for a domain in RGP, if the last domain holder waives the Redemption Grace Period by an explicit written declaration to DENIC. 
• If a domain is subject to a DISPUTE entry at the time the registration ceases, it will not enter into the RGP. Instead, the holder of the dispute entry automatically becomes the domain holder as soon as the domain is released.