What Is EPP (EPP status codes)? Domain Glossary

Why it matters

A status such as clientTransferProhibited means the registry will reject a transfer request until the lock is removed. serverHold means the domain is not active in DNS. redemptionPeriod and pendingDelete mean the domain is being deleted. Buyers should read the status before paying, since a locked or held domain cannot move. Sellers must unlock before pushing. Common mistake: ignoring a status that starts with server. Those are set by the registry, and the registrar cannot always remove them.

Source: icann.org

Related terms

Registrar lock: A registrar lock is the EPP status clientTransferProhibited. It tells the registry to reject any request to move the domain to another registrar. The owner or registrar sets it to prevent unauthorized transfers.
Registry lock: A premium security service that places a lock at the registry, not just the registrar. Any change to the domain, such as a transfer or nameserver edit, needs a manual check outside the normal account login.
Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP): RDAP is the internet standard for looking up domain registration data, such as registrar, status, and key dates. It was created to replace the older WHOIS protocol with structured, secure, and more controlled access.
Redemption grace period (RGP): A short period after a domain expires and its grace days end, when the owner can still restore the name by paying a redemption fee. If it is not restored, the name moves toward deletion.
Pending delete: Pending delete is the last status before a domain is purged from the registry. It follows the redemption period and lasts about five days, after which the name becomes available to register again.

All 205 terms

EPP status codes (EPP)

Why it matters

Buying or selling a domain?