According to verisigns website the cycle is this way:
1. Registrar deletes a domain name.
2. Domain name is placed on RedemptionPeriod (RP) for 30 days.
3. During this 30 day window, the registrant can if they want it, get the name redeemed.
4. If, after 30 days, the name is still in RP status, the domain name will be moved to PENDINGDELETE status for 5 days.
5. On the 6th day, the name is then deleted from the Registry.
Source:
http://www.verisign.com/information-services/naming-services/page_001083.html#0100000B
According to GoDaddy they follow this steps:
If you did not set your domains to automatically renew, when your domain registration expires, we proceed with the following steps before cancelling it:
- On your domain registration's expiration date, we notify you that the domain expired. You can manually renew your domain.
- On the 5th day following your domain registration's expiration date, we send a second notification of your domain's expiration and park your domain. You can manually renew your domain.
- On the 12th day following your domain registration's expiration date, we send a third and final notification of your domain registration's expiration, and we place the domain on hold. You can manually renew your domain.
- On the 19th day following your domain registration's expiration date, your domain remains on hold but becomes subject to a redemption fee. You can manually renew your domain, subject to any applicable renewal and redemption fees.
- On the 25th day following your domain registration's expiration date, we place your domain for auction on the Domain Name Aftermarket (TDNAM). You can manually renew your domain, subject to any applicable renewal and redemption fees.
- On the 42nd day following your domain registration's expiration date, we cancel your domain. All services associated with the domain will be lost.
The registry may hold the domain before releasing it for general registration.
Source:
http://help.godaddy.com/topic/613/article/608
