When you check the WHOIS information of a domain name, it shows the status of the domain name. you can also use the tool whois.domaintools.com to check the details of a domain name.
The most common domain name status codes shown in WHOIS records are mentioned below:
ACTIVE : This status is assigned by the registry. The domain name can be modified and renewed by the registrar. The domain will be added in the DNS zone in case it is pointed to at least one name server.
REGISTRY-LOCK : This status is assigned by the registry. The registrar does not have the authority to delete or modify the domain but the domain can be renewed. The ‘REGISTRY-LOCK’ status should be removed by the registry in order to enable the registrar to modify the domain. The domain will be added in the DNS zone if it is pointing to at least one name server.
REGISTRAR-LOCK : This status is assigned by the sponsoring registrar. The domain having this status cannot be modified or deleted but it can be renewed. The registrar should remove the ‘REGISTRAR-LOCK’ status in order to modify the domain. The domain will be added in the DNS zone.
REGISTRY-HOLD : This status is assigned by the registry. The registrar cannot modify or delete the domain but the domain can be renewed. The ‘REGISTRY-HOLD’ status should be removed by the registry in order to enable the registrar to modify the domain. The domain will be added in the DNS zone.
REGISTRAR-HOLD : This status is assigned by the sponsoring registrar. This domain cannot be modified or deleted but it can be renewed. The registrar should remove the ‘REGISTRAR-HOLD’ status in order to modify the domain. The domain will be added in the DNS zone.
REDEMPTIONPERIOD : This status is assigned by the registry if the registrar wants to delete the domain name from the registry. The domain name will not be added in the DNS zone. The domain name having this status cannot be modified or purged, it can only be restored. A domain might have this status for a maximum of 30 days.
PENDINGRESTORE : This status is assigned by the registry when the registrar requests for the restoration of a domain name that is in ‘REDEMPTIONPERIOD’ status. The domain will be added in the DNS zone. Any requests made by the registrar to modify the domain will be rejected. The domain will be in this status while the registry waits for the registrar to provide with the required documentation for restoration. In case the registrar fails to confirm the restoration request by giving the necessary documentation to the registry within 7 calendar days, the domain will be reverted to the ‘REDEMPTIONPERIOD’ status. In case the registrar provides the documentation to the registry within 7 calendar days for confirming the restoration request, the domain status will be set to ‘ACTIVE’ by the registry.
PENDINGDELETE : This status is assigned by the registry once the domain has been set in the ‘REDEMPTIONPERIOD’ status and the domain is not restored by the registrar. The domain will not be added in the DNS zone. All the registrar requests made to modify or update the domain having this status will be rejected. The domain will be purged from the registry database after it has this status for 5 days.
