What happens when a .com.tr domain expires? The 90-day process
By GNR Tech Yazılım ve Dijital Hizmetleri 5 min read
Since September 14, 2022, .tr domains have been managed by TRABİS, the .tr registry run by Türkiye's Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA, known locally as BTK). You register and renew through an accredited registrar (your hosting or domain company), not TRABİS itself. An expired .tr domain follows a different path from generic extensions like .com. Here it is, step by step.
What changed with TRABİS?
Before TRABİS, .tr domains were managed by nic.tr at Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ), and extensions like .com.tr required a trademark or trade name document. With TRABİS:
- Extensions such as .com.tr, .net.tr and .org.tr are now allocated without documents, on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Direct .tr domains (second level, like example.tr) became available.
- Registration, renewal, transfer and cancellation are all handled through accredited registrars.
- A domain is allocated for a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 5 years at a time, and the registrar must email the holder at least three months before expiry.
What happens when it expires?
An unrenewed .tr domain is not deleted on its expiry date. It goes through two stages lasting 90 days in total.
1. Renewal period (first 60 days). On the expiry date the domain is suspended: the website and email stop working. Within these 60 days the holder can renew through the registrar at the normal price, and everything resumes.
2. Deletion period (next 30 days). If the domain is not renewed within 60 days, it enters a 30-day deletion period. During this time the holder cannot renew or recover it.
3. Release (day 90). When the deletion period ends, the domain is permanently deleted and anyone can register it.
| Stage | Timing | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Renewal period | 60 days after expiry | Site and email stop; holder can renew at the normal price |
| Deletion period | Days 61–90 | No renewal or recovery possible |
| Release | End of day 90 | Domain is deleted; anyone can register it |
In short, you really have 60 days. Better still, renew before expiry.
How is this different from .com?
With generic extensions like .com, .net and .org, expiry is followed by a grace period that varies by registrar, then a 30-day period in which the domain can be recovered for an extra fee, then a 5-day deletion queue; the whole process usually takes between 35 and 80 days. With .tr extensions the calendar is fixed: 60 days renewable, 30 days not renewable, deleted at the end of day 90. For the generic timeline, see when do expired domains drop.
Which extensions are .tr?
The same rules apply to every extension TRABİS manages: .com.tr, .net.tr, .org.tr, .biz.tr, .info.tr, .web.tr, .gen.tr, .tv.tr and direct .tr (second level, e.g. example.tr). Some extensions (such as .gov.tr, .edu.tr, .k12.tr, .av.tr, .dr.tr and .bel.tr) are allocated with documents and only to the relevant institutions, professionals or organizations. We explain how to get each one in how to register a .tr domain.
How do you look up a .tr domain?
.tr extensions have no RDAP; records are read from the TRABİS WHOIS server. The NicFollow WHOIS lookup and the .com.tr lookup page connect to that server and show results in the same layout as .com lookups: registrar, dates and name servers.
TRABİS allows only a limited number of queries per day from the same IP address. So NicFollow checks tracked .tr domains more often as expiry approaches: rarely when it is months away, daily in the final weeks.
Protecting your own .tr domain
- Keep the contact email at your registrar up to date. The reminders required by regulation go to this address.
- Renew for several years. .tr domains can be renewed for up to five years; a longer renewal lowers the risk of forgetting.
- Track the expiry date independently of your registrar. Reminders can get lost when you switch companies or change email addresses.
- If it has expired, don't wait out the 60 days. Site and email stop on day one; every day costs customers and reputation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I recover my domain during the deletion period? No. In the 30-day deletion period that follows the 60-day renewal period, the holder cannot renew or recover it. It is deleted at the end of day 90 and opens up to everyone; the former holder can then apply on the same terms as anyone else.
Is there an extra fee during the renewal period? Within the first 60 days the domain can be renewed at the normal renewal price. Registrar service fees can vary, so check the current price with your registrar.
Who gets a deleted .com.tr name first? At the end of the deletion period the domain is allocated first come, first served. Applications reach TRABİS through registrars in real time, and the first to arrive wins, so watch a name you want closely.
Who is responsible if the reminder email never arrived? The regulation requires the registrar to send a notice at least three months before expiry, but delivery depends on the registered email address being correct and working. Renewal is always the holder's responsibility, so track the expiry date yourself too.
How many people might want a deleted .tr domain? For well-known or short names, several people and companies may apply at once, usually watching the final days closely. Applications are processed in real time, so the fastest wins. Getting notified the moment the name is deleted is the easiest way to apply in time.
Don't count the 90 days by hand
Track your own .com.tr domains and you get reminders 60, 30, 14, 7, 3 and 1 day before expiry. Track a .tr domain you are waiting on, and NicFollow counts the 90 days for you, notifying you when it enters the deletion period and when it leaves the registry. Create a free account to track up to 100 domains.