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  • Type
    Generic top-level domain
    Registry
    European Organization for Nuclear Research
    Operator
    European Organization for Nuclear Research ("CERN")
    Launched
    Registration term
    1–10 years
    DNSSEC
    Supported
    IDN
    Not supported

    About .cern domain

    .cern is a brand gTLD, a type of generic top-level domain reserved for exclusive use by a specific organization. It was delegated to the Root Zone in August 2014. The registry for this domain extension is managed by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), with technical operations handled by Afilias. Its primary purpose as a domain product is to serve as a secure, official namespace for the organization's digital presence.

    Who can register .cern domain

    Registration for .cern domains is highly restricted. Initially, it is a single-registrant TLD, meaning only CERN itself is eligible to register domain names. The organization has indicated that it may, in the future, decide to open registration to certain third parties. If this occurs, CERN would organize the registry operation to manage applications and avoid conflicts for specific domain names.

    How to register .cern domain

    .cern is not issued through commercial registrars. As a brand TLD, domain names are allocated internally by the registry operator, CERN. The organization manages all registrations directly, deciding which entities, if any beyond itself, are permitted to register a .cern domain. Any future process for third-party registration would be defined and controlled exclusively by CERN, not through standard registrar checkout flows.

    Typical uses of .cern domain

    .cern domains are used exclusively by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) for its official online services, projects, and communications. This includes websites for its world-renowned scientific research, such as information related to the Large Hadron Collider, and for internal collaboration platforms. The TLD provides a trusted and authoritative namespace that clearly identifies content originating from the CERN organization, distinguishing it from other entities in the scientific and educational fields.

    Tips for registering .cern domain

    • The TLD operates under a single-registrant model, meaning domains are not available for public registration.
    • Any future policy changes, including opening registration to third parties, would be determined and announced by the CERN registry.
    • As a brand TLD, its use is intended to protect and promote the CERN brand identity online.

    Frequently asked questions about .cern domain

    Who operates .cern domain?The registry for .cern domains is European Organization for Nuclear Research, administered by European Organization for Nuclear Research ("CERN").
    Who can register a .cern domain?

    Only the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) can register .cern domain names. The TLD was established as a single-registrant namespace to provide CERN with exclusive control over its online identity. While the registry's application indicated a potential future opening to select third parties, this would be a policy change managed entirely by CERN and is not currently available.

    Can I transfer a .cern domain between registrars?

    Inter-registrar transfers do not apply to .cern domains in the conventional sense, as they are not registered through commercial registrars. All domains are managed directly by the CERN registry. If the registry policy were to change in the future to allow third-party registrations, the associated transfer and management rules would be defined at that time by CERN.

    Can I register a .cern domain for my science project?

    No, you cannot register a .cern domain for a personal or independent project. The TLD is a closed brand extension reserved for the official use of the CERN organization. There is no public registration or application process for individuals, companies, or other institutions to obtain a .cern domain name at this time.

    What dispute policies apply to .cern domains?

    As a single-registrant, brand TLD operated by CERN for its own use, standard public dispute policies like the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) are not typically relevant. Any internal disputes would be managed by the registry operator. Should the namespace ever open to third parties, CERN would implement appropriate rights protection mechanisms and dispute policies at that time.

    Are there any premium .cern domains for sale?

    There are no premium .cern domains for sale on the open market. The concept of premium domains, where certain names are sold at higher prices, does not apply to this TLD because it is not commercially available. CERN controls all domain allocations internally for its organizational needs.