Domain Name World

What is the process of acquiring expired domain names?

When a domain expires, what happens next? Does it go into a pending deletion phase, and then is up for grabs? I want a domain that expired June 16th of this year. Before contacting the former owner (who could capitalize on the fact that someone wants something he controls) I want to know how long until I could just register the domain directly. Also, are there ways of getting on a waiting list, for when a domain becomes available? Thanks in advance

Public Comments

1. i believe 60 days after expiration you can register it through any ICANN Registrar. contact one like godaddy or enom and find out.
2. Here is a particularly good article I found a few months ago when I was researching this topic: http://www.mikeindustries.com/blog/archive/2005/03/how-to-snatch-an-expiring-domain As for getting on a 'waiting list', you can hire companies to try grabbing the domain as soon as it becomes available. To get the best chance, register with all of these companies: pool.com clubdrop.com snapnames.com