What is TBR?
TBR (to-be-released) is the last stage expired .CA domains go through before being released via general registration by the registry, CIRA (the Canadian Internet Registration Authority). Every Wednesday the registry releases domains through a TBR session (aka the drop), and accredited registrars can secure domains on a first-come-first-registered basis. If a registrar does not register the domain during the TBR session, it will be available for general registration later that day.
Since their expiry date, domains that have reached TBR have gone through an auto-renew grace period (45 days) and redemption grace period (30 days) before being added to the release list. Some registrar’s by-pass auto-renew grace period should be noted, but easyDNS does not.
To view all the domains that will be released/dropped, go directly to CIRA’s page HERE.
What about Special Domains and the TBR System?
Although third-level domain names (domain.on.ca) can no longer be created, existing third and fourth-level domain names can be transferred and renewed. CIRA continues to support existing third and fourth-level domain names as well as second and fourth-level municipal domain names (town.nameoftown.bc.ca). Third-level domain names that are deleted and not subsequently renewed will not be available as TBR domain names.
How do I queue a request for a .CA domain in TBR?
As this is a manual service requiring specialised monitoring, there is a $50CAD fee for the service, which is also refundable if we do not successfully acquire the domain for you. Please note that there is a $5 fee for refunds on unsuccessful TBR’s – if preferred, funds could be applied as your account credit for future billing.
If you would like to register a domain within CIRA’s TBR list with easyDNS, you’ll need to do the following:
- Log into your easyDNS account and send an EASY-DOES.IT request with the necessary details (click HERE for more details on EASY-DOES.IT requests)
- Once we receive your request, we’ll generate a manual invoice for your TBR which you’ll need to pay before we can proceed with the TBR submission. You’ll be notified via the same EASY-DOES.IT request when the invoice is ready.
- Make a payment on the invoice.
- easyDNS will monitor the TBR domain and notify you whether we were able/unable to register it. There are no guarantees of success as there could be many requests for the same domain with other registrars. If we are unable to register the domain name, we will refund.
Once the above process has been completed, the newly registered domain will appear in your easyDNS account. Please be sure to update the whois record.
TBR occurs every Wednesday at 19:00UTC (2PM Eastern Standard or 3PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time).