.io Domain Registration Guidelines and Renewal Rules

.io Domain Registration Guidelines and Renewal Rules

By Michael Thompson

February 7, 2025 at 09:37 AM

Domain registrations ending in .io are typically used by tech companies, although they're officially the national domains for the British Indian Ocean Territory. Here's what you need to know about .io domains:

Domain Registration and Renewal

  • Renewal attempts begin 15 days before expiration
  • Payment is charged to the card linked to your site
  • Domains become locked 3 days before expiration if payment fails

Post-Expiration Policies

For Tucows registrar:

  • 40-day renewal window after expiration
  • Additional 45-day redemption period through Tucows

For Key-Systems registrar:

  • 30-day renewal window from expiration
  • No restoration possible after domain disappears from dashboard

Important Considerations

  • No 5-day grace period or refund after registration
  • Not eligible for free domain offers
  • Domain transfers include a one-year registration extension
  • Whois privacy is not available

Before Registration

  • Double-check for typos
  • Ensure you want to keep the domain
  • Verify pricing through domain name search
  • Consider the permanent nature of the registration

Domain Transfer When transferring to a new registrar:

  • You retain existing registration period
  • Get an additional year of registration
  • Must complete transfer before expiration

These guidelines apply specifically to .io domains and may differ from other domain extensions. Always verify current policies with your registrar, as requirements can change.

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