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    5. .gb

    Search For .gb Domain

    Type
    Country-code top-level domain
    Registry
    Reserved Domain - IANA
    Launched
    DNSSEC
    Not supported
    IDN
    Not supported

    About .gb domain

    .gb is a country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) reserved for the United Kingdom. It was delegated in July 1985 and is managed by JANET (Jisc). The domain was never widely adopted and has been in a state of disuse for decades, with no new registrations being accepted. Its existence is largely historical, and official proposals have been made to retire the TLD entirely.

    Who can register .gb domain

    This TLD is not available for registration by the public. It is a reserved domain with a closed registry. No new registrations are being accepted, and the namespace is not open to individuals, businesses, or organizations. Historically, usage was limited to specific government and research entities, but that functionality has long since ceased.

    How to register .gb domain

    This TLD is not allocated through commercial registrars. It is a reserved namespace managed by the JANET network operator on behalf of the UK government. Domain names are not available for public purchase or registration. Any existing delegations are legacy entries from a time when the domain was briefly used for specific technical purposes, primarily within government-linked research agencies.

    Typical uses of .gb domain

    Historically, the .gb domain saw extremely limited use. It was briefly utilized by some UK government organizations and within certain commercial email systems that used the X.400 protocol, as "GB" was the country code in that system. Its usage declined rapidly with the fall of X.400 and the dominance of the .uk domain. Today, it is effectively unused, with only a few legacy subdomains still resolving in DNS but not serving active websites.

    Tips for registering .gb domain

    • No new registrations: The .gb registry is closed and does not accept any new domain name applications.
    • Legacy status: Any existing .gb domain names are historical artifacts from the 1990s and are not available for transfer or renewal through standard registrar processes.
    • Retirement proposed: The UK government's Central Digital and Data Office has publicly stated an intention to retire the .gb ccTLD, meaning its future existence is uncertain.

    Frequently asked questions about .gb domain

    Who operates .gb domain?The registry for .gb domains is Reserved Domain - IANA.
    Who can register a .gb domain?

    The .gb domain is not available for registration by anyone. It is a fully reserved ccTLD with a closed registry. There is no application process, verification system, or waiting list for obtaining a .gb domain name, as all registration services were discontinued decades ago.

    Can I transfer a .gb domain between registrars?

    Inter-registrar transfer is not applicable for the .gb extension. Since the namespace is closed and no new registrations are permitted, there is no active market or registrar system to facilitate the transfer of .gb domain names between parties. Any legacy delegations are not part of a commercial domain ecosystem.

    Are there any active .gb websites?

    No, there are no active public websites using the .gb domain. A small number of legacy subdomains, such as those under hmg.gb, still have DNS records but do not host functional web services. These are historical entries from defunct government research agencies and are not in practical use.

    What is the difference between .gb and .uk?

    .gb and .uk are both ccTLDs for the United Kingdom, but .uk became the primary and officially adopted extension. .gb was created later but was never widely implemented, leading to its rapid fall into disuse. .uk is a thriving, open namespace managed by a separate registry, while .gb is a closed, reserved domain slated for potential retirement.

    Can I purchase a pre-registered or premium .gb domain?

    No, you cannot purchase any .gb domain names, including those that may appear in historical records. The namespace is not commercially available, and there are no registrars or aftermarket platforms selling .gb domains. Any domain lists showing .gb names are likely referencing obsolete data.