registration period

The length of time you own a domain after you pay for it. Usually 1–10 years; you pick the term at signup, renewal extends it. Registry clocks start ticking the moment ICANN records the creation. After expiration, the domain enters redemption (30–45 days, pricey), then pending delete, then drops back to public pool. Most registrars auto-renew by default—read the fine print or they'll charge your payment method without asking. At bunkerdomains, we don't auto-renew unless you explicitly opt in. Longer periods are cheaper per year, but lock your capital. Shorter periods give flexibility. Redemption costs 2–3× normal renewal; drop catching is a dark art. Some jurisdictions (offshore ccTLDs, free-speech registries) are more lenient about lapsed domains. Registration period has nothing to do with privacy—that's a separate setting (WHOIS privacy, registrar shielding). Always confirm expiration dates; lazy admin costs domains.