EPP Status Codes

EPP Status Codes (Extensible Provisioning Protocol), also known as domain name status codes, are assigned to domain names in order to describe the status of a domain name at the Registry.

EPP status codes appear in the Registry whois record for a domain name (preceded by “Status:“), and while each domain has at least one status code, it’s possible for a domain to have more than one EPP status code assigned to it at a time.  The default EPP status code for a domain name is “OK” or “Active”, which is removed if any other status code is applied to the domain.

Here is an example whois record (for igoldrush.com) and the location of the EPP Status Code:

Domain Name: IGOLDRUSH.COM   Registrar: DOMAIN-IT, INC.   Whois Server: whois.domainit.com   Referral URL: http://www.domainit.com   Name Server: NS1.DOMAINIT.COM   Name Server: NS2.DOMAINIT.COM    Status: clientTransferProhibited <- This is the EPP Status Code   Updated Date: 28-nov-2008   Creation Date: 02-dec-1996   Expiration Date: 01-dec-2013

The EPP domain status codes listed below are Verisign adopted status codes, many of which are also common to other Registries, although time frames listed in the descriptions may vary.

  • ClientDeleteProhibited
  • ClientHold
  • ClientRenewProhibited
  • ClientTransferProhibited
  • Client-Xfer-Prohibited
  • ClientUpdateProhibited
  • Hold / ServerHold
  • OK
  • PendingDelete
  • PendingRestore
  • RedemptionPeriod
  • ServerDeleteProhibited
  • ServerRenewProhibited
  • ServerTransferProhibited
  • ServerUpdateProhibited

The following are additional EPP domain status codes adopted by various Registries:

  • Active
  • autoRenewPeriod
  • ClientLock
  • Inactive
  • Lock / ServerLock
  • PendingCreate
  • PendingTransfer
  • PendingUpdate

ClientDeleteProhibited

A ClientDeleteProhibited status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registrar when the domain name is locked. The ClientDeleteProhibited status code tells the Registry to reject requests to delete the domain, except in cases where the domain has expired. Domains with the EPP status code “ClientDeleteProhibited” are included in the zone files and can be updated, transferred, and renewed.

ClientHold

A ClientHold status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registrar, most commonly for non-payment. Domains with the EPP status code “ClientHold” are not included in the zone files, but can still be updated, transferred, deleted, or renewed.

ClientRenewProhibited

A ClientRenewProhibited status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registrar. The ClientRenewProhibited status code means that a domain name cannot be explicitly renewed. Domains with the EPP status code “ClientRenewProhibited” are included in the zone files and can be updated, transferred, or deleted.

ClientTransferProhibited

A ClientTransferProhibited status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registrar when the domain name is locked. The ClientTransferProhibited status code tells the Registry to reject requests to transfer the domain from one Registrar to another. Domains with the EPP status code “ClientTransferProhibited” are included in the zone files and can be updated, deleted, and renewed.

Client-Xfer-Prohibited

A Client-Xfer-Prohibited status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registrar when the domain name is locked. The Client-Xfer-Prohibited status code tells the Registry to reject requests to transfer the domain from one Registrar to another. Domains with the EPP status code “Client-Xfer-Prohibited” are included in the zone files and can be updated, deleted, and renewed.

ClientUpdateProhibited

A ClientUpdateProhibited status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registrar when the domain name is locked. The ClientUpdateProhibited status code tells the Registry to reject requests by the Registrar to update name servers, update auth codes, or sync the domain. The status code cannot be updated until the Registrar removes the ClientUpdateProhibited status code. Domains with the EPP status code “ClientUpdateProhibited” are included in the zone files and can be transferred, deleted, and renewed, once this status is removed.

Hold / ServerHold

A Hold / ServerHold status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registry. The Hold / ServerHold status code means that a domain name has been deleted from the DNS, most commonly for a financial, legal, or operational reason. Domains with the EPP status code “Hold / ServerHold” are not included in the zone files.

OK

An OK status code is assigned to a domain name when it is initially registered. Domains with an OK status code are included in the appropriate zone files so long as there are name servers associated with the domain name.  Domains with the EPP status code “OK” can be updated, transferred, or renewed by the Registrar.

PendingDelete

A PendingDelete status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registry after the domain name has had a RedemptionPeriod status code for a period of 30 days. The PendingDelete status code lasts for a period of 5 days and it cannot be restored. Domains with the EPP status code “PendingDelete” are not included in the zone files.

PendingRestore

A PendingRestore status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registry if the Registrar has issued the EPP Restore command when the domain was previously assigned the RedemptionPeriod status code. A domain will have the PendingRestore status code for a period of 7 days, during which the Registrar must send a Restore report to the Registry through the Registrar Tool or the EPP Protocol. If the Registry receives the submitted Restore report within the 7-day period, the domain name will be moved to an “OK” status. If the Registry does not receive the Restore report within the 7-day period, the domain is moved back to a RedemptionPeriod status code and will remain there for 30 days. Domains with the EPP status code “PendingRestore” are included in the zone files.

RedemptionPeriod

A RedemptionPeriod status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registry if the domain is deleted 5 days after the Create Grace Period. When a domain name has a RedemptionPeriod status code, it will remain in this status for a period of 30 days, unless the Registrar issues a Restore command. Any other EPP commands issued by a Registrar, other than the Restore command, will fail when a domain has a RedemptionPeriod status code assigned to it. Domains with the EPP status code “RedemptionPeriod” are not included in the zone files.

ServerDeleteProhibited

A ServerDeleteProhibited status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registry as a method of locking the domain. The ServerDeleteProhibited status code means that the domain cannot be deleted from the Registry. Domains with the EPP status code “ServerDeleteProhibited” are included in the zone files and can be updated, transferred, and renewed.

ServerRenewProhibited

A ServerRenewProhibited status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registry. The ServerRenewProhibited status code means that a domain name cannot be renewed. Domains with the EPP status code “ServerRenewProhibited” are included in the zone files and can be updated, transferred, or deleted.

ServerTransferProhibited

A ServerTransferProhibited status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registry as a method of locking the domain. The ServerTransferProhibited status code means that the domain cannot be transferred from one Registrar to another. Domains with the EPP status code “ServerTransferProhibited” are included in the zone files and can be updated, deleted, and renewed.

ServerUpdateProhibited

A ServerUpdateProhibited status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registry as a method of locking the domain. The ServerUpdateProhibited status code tells the Registry to reject requests to update name servers, update auth codes, or sync the domain. Domains with the EPP status code “ServerUpdateProhibited” are included in the zone files and can be transferred, deleted, and renewed, once this status is removed.

Active

An Active status code is assigned to a domain name when it is initially registered. Domains with an Active status code are included in the appropriate zone files so long as there are name servers associated with the domain name.  Domains with the EPP status code “Active” can be updated, transferred, or renewed by the Registrar.

autoRenewPeriod

An autoRenewPeriod status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registry when the domain is automatically renewed by the Registry on it.s expiration date.  This occurs when the registry has not received an explicit renewal or delete command by the Registrar prior to expiration.  A domain with an autoRenewPeriod status code can be deleted by the Registrar within 45 days for a credit of the renewal fee. Domains with the EPP status code “autoRenewPeriod” can be updated or deleted.

ClientLock

A ClientLock status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registrar when the domain is locked. The ClientLock status code tells the Registry to reject any request to update name servers, transfer, or delete the domain. The status code cannot be updated until the Registrar removes the ClientLock status code.

Inactive

An Inactive status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registry when the domain name has no delegated name servers. It may also be assigned to host or contact that is not associated with any domain names.

Lock / ServerLock

A Lock / ServerLock status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registry when the domain name is locked. The Lock / ServerLock status code tells the Registry to reject any requests to transfer, renew, or delete the domain. The status code cannot be updated until the Registry removes the Lock / ServerLock status code. Domain names that are currently involved in Sunrise or other domain disputes may be locked depending on the Registries policies.

PendingCreate

A PendingCreate status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registry after the domain name registration has been submitted, but is not yet complete.

PendingTransfer

A PendingTransfer status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registry when the domain name is in the process of being transferred from one Registrar to another.

PendingUpdate

A PendingUpdate status code is assigned to a domain name by the Registry when the domain name is in the process of being updated, but it is not yet complete.