About .country domain
.country is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) operated by Top Level Domain Holdings Ltd. (TLDH) in partnership with Uniregistry. It was delegated to the Root Zone in March 2014 as part of ICANN's New gTLD Program. The registry agreement was signed with ICANN in December 2013, and the extension is managed as a commercial domain product.
Who can register .country domain
Registration for .country domains is open to the general public with no geographic or organizational restrictions. Any individual, business, or entity can register a .country domain name through an accredited registrar. There are no specific verification or documentation requirements for eligibility. The TLD operates under an open registration policy.
How to register .country domain
- Search for your desired .country domain name using a registrar's search tool to check its availability. Consider registering multiple variations or securing common misspellings to protect your brand.
- Compare pricing, renewal rates, and bundled services like WHOIS privacy or email hosting from different ICANN-accredited registrars that offer the .country extension.
- Complete the checkout process, providing accurate registrant contact information and selecting your desired registration term, which is typically one year or more.
- After purchase, verify your contact email to activate the domain and configure your DNS settings, such as nameservers, to point the domain to your website or service.
Typical uses of .country domain
The .country extension is commonly used by entities wishing to express a strong national identity, local pride, or cultural affiliation. It is popular among tourism boards, local businesses, community groups, and artists who want to highlight their connection to a specific nation or region. The TLD offers a memorable and thematic alternative to geographic ccTLDs or generic extensions like .com, allowing registrants to make a clear statement about their origin or focus.
Tips for registering .country domain
- Domains are typically registered for a minimum of one year, with options to register for multiple years upfront.
- WHOIS privacy protection services are generally available for .country domains through most registrars, helping to shield personal contact details from public view.
- Be aware of potential premium domain pricing; certain desirable or dictionary-word .country names may be held by the registry at a higher cost.
- Standard transfer policies apply, but domains may be subject to a 60-day transfer lock following registration or a previous transfer.