For .uk domains: expiry is followed by a 30-day renewal grace period, then a "pendingDelete" phase (roughly day 30–90) during which the domain appears on daily drop lists with a prospective drop date. In the final ~5 days renewal is no longer possible; the domain is then released at a published, fixed UTC time.
Registry & basic rules
| Registry | Nominet |
|---|---|
| Extension | .uk (ccTLD United Kingdom) |
| Who can register | Natural and legal persons worldwide. |
| Local presence | No strict local presence requirement (for .uk). |
| Grace + redemption + pending delete | ~90 days total |
| Re-release | At the published, fixed time the domain is released for re-registration by any registrar. |
| Fixed drop time | Yes – fixed UTC times published in drop lists (no random drop). |
Deletion cycle in detail
30 days renewal grace (functional) → ~day 30–90 "pendingDelete" (not resolving, still renewable, on drop lists) → final ~5 days "pendingDelete" without renewal, with a fixed drop date.
At the published, fixed time the domain is released for re-registration by any registrar.
Is drop-catching possible?
Very predictable: published drop times and drop lists make drop-catching calculable.
Backorder for .uk
A backorder targets the published drop time at the end of the cycle. Basics: What is a backorder? · Domain catching.
Transfer & auth code
Transfer via the .uk-specific mechanism (Tag/IPS tag). See Glossary: auth code.
Specifics & risks
- Published, fixed drop times and daily drop lists.
- Multi-stage cycle of about 90 days.
- A free name is not automatically free of third-party trademark/name rights.
Difference from .de
Unlike .de, .uk has a clearly defined, published drop time and drop lists — more predictable, but without the .de-style preference for the former holder in the final phase. For comparison: .de deletion cycle.
Next
All TLD guides · Glossary: registry · Redemption Grace Period
Frequently asked questions
Does .uk have fixed drop times?
Yes. Nominet publishes drop lists with fixed UTC times; domains no longer drop at random moments.
Sources
- Nominet – New domain expiry process and drop lists for .UK — accessed 2026-08-12