Domain registration

Welcome to the home of the national rules and principles for registering and managing a domain name. These rules are an integral part of the Guidelines for UK government websites, Illustrated handbook for web management teams (section 1.9 - updated September 2004).

.gov.uk domain registration

These rules are an integral part of the Guidelines for UK government websites, Illustrated handbook for web management teams (section 1.9 - updated September 2004).

Who is eligible to register a .gov.uk domain name?

The only organisations which can register a .gov.uk domain name are:

* UK government and devolved administration departments and agencies
* local and regional government bodies, including town and parish councils
* other associated and NDPB organisations and projects.

Making an application

Review our domain naming conventions and terms and conditions. Then if you are eligible your application must be made by an appropriate Internet Service Provider, using the correct UKERNA template formats. If the supporting information detailed in rules paragraph 1.9.3.1 is not provided the application will automatically be rejected.

The national rules

These are available in HTML, PDF and MS Word formats.

* National rules - HTML version (section 1.9 of the Web Guidelines)
* National rules - PDF version (236KB)
* National rules - MS Word version (306kb)

.EU domain name

The object of this note is to provide guidance to the UK public sector on the registration and validation of an .EU domain name that may be applied for during the .EU phased registration period (also known the Sunrise Period).

* .EU domain name – guidance to the UK public sector – HTML version
* .EU domain name – guidance to the UK public sector – PDF version

How can I find out if a domain name is available?

Being shown available on the JANET Lookup Service or any WHOIS does not mean that the name you are seeking is acceptable. The .gov.uk Naming and Approvals Committee review individual names within the context of the .gov.uk domain and the information provided by the applicant.

* JANET WHOIS Lookup Service [external website]

.gov.uk Naming and Approvals Committee

* Terms of reference

Further advice

Please direct any queries on the rules or on specific names to:

* naming@coi.gsi.gov.uk