A domain backorder is an advance order to automatically register a currently taken domain the moment it becomes free. It is not a purchase guarantee: with several interested parties, technology and timing decide. For .de domains, the backorder targets the end of the 30-day Redemption Grace Period.
Definition
A domain backorder is the advance order to automatically re-register a specific, currently taken domain as soon as it becomes free. You store the desired domain; the service monitors the status and attempts the registration at the right time.
How a backorder works
- Choose the desired domain or take it from an RGP/deletion list.
- Confirm the backorder order.
- Wait for the release time (drop) or — with some services — the last RGP day.
- Await the result: on success the domain moves into your portfolio.
For .de the decisive moment is the end of the 30-day Redemption Grace Period. During that period, per DENIC, only the former holder — or a third party named by them — can re-register the domain; only afterwards is it free for everyone.
Success factors
- Timing: for popular names, seconds decide — order early.
- Competition: several interested parties lower the odds.
- TLD rules: not every extension has a fixed drop time.
- Reactivation: the former holder can recover the domain within the period.
Costs
What a backorder costs depends on the service and the TLD. See What does catching a domain cost?. Always consider prices with a date and source, as they change.
Limits & legal
A freed name is not automatically free of trademark or name rights. Before reactivating, check whether third parties hold rights to the name. For the SEO perspective see risks of expired domains.
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
Does a backorder guarantee I get the domain?
No. A backorder improves the odds but is not a guarantee. If several orders target the same domain, or the previous holder reactivates it, the order can fail.
What happens after a successful backorder?
The domain is moved into your account/portfolio. You can then forward it, connect nameservers, manage it or offer it again.
How does backorder differ from ReCatch?
A classic backorder targets the public release after the RGP. ReCatch (.de only) takes over a domain released by the former owner already on the last RGP day, before it drops publicly.
Sources
- DENIC – Redemption Grace Period (.de) — accessed 2026-08-12