About .gm domain
.gm is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) assigned to The Gambia, delegated by IANA and managed by GM-NIC, the national Internet registry. The extension has been active since its delegation on 28 March 1997. Registrations are accepted directly at the second level, giving registrants clean, short domain names in the format domain.gm. Two reserved subregistries exist beneath .gm: .gov.gm for government entities and .edu.gm for educational institutions, both delegated to specific national bodies.
Who can register .gm domain
Registration of .gm domains is restricted to entities with a meaningful connection to The Gambia. Eligible registrants include persons, organisations, or companies residing in The Gambia, providing information or services related to The Gambia, or otherwise benefiting the local Internet community. The domain name itself must be clearly and unambiguously connected to the registrant's name or organisation, and the registry reserves the right to verify this connection. Speculative registrations with no intent to activate the domain are explicitly prohibited. Additionally, domains consisting of offensive terms, common Gambian personal names, single letters, numbers only, or most two-letter combinations will generally be declined.
How to register .gm domain
This TLD is allocated directly through GM-NIC, the national registry for The Gambia, rather than through a standard commercial registrar checkout flow. Prospective registrants must apply via the official registry at nic.gm, demonstrating a qualifying connection to The Gambia and providing documentation that supports the link between the applicant and the chosen domain name. The registry administration reviews each application and may contact the designated administrative contact to verify eligibility before approving or declining the registration. Speculative or inactive registrations are not permitted, so applicants should be prepared to demonstrate an active, legitimate purpose for the domain.
Typical uses of .gm domain
The .gm extension is used primarily by organisations, businesses, and individuals with a genuine presence or interest in The Gambia. Government agencies operate under the reserved .gov.gm space, while universities and educational bodies use .edu.gm, leaving the open second level for commercial enterprises, nonprofits, and community projects. Registrants typically choose .gm to signal local relevance and credibility to a Gambian audience, or to protect their organisation's name within the country's namespace. It remains a relatively niche extension, used more for identity and brand protection than for broad consumer-facing web presence.
Tips for registering .gm domain
- Domain names under .gm must be between 3 and 50 characters at the second level; single-letter domains and purely numeric strings are not eligible for registration.
- Two-letter domains are only granted in special cases where the applicant holds an internationally recognised two-letter abbreviation, so most registrants should plan for a longer string.
- Speculative or inactive registrations are explicitly against registry policy — you should have a clear, active use case ready to describe when applying.
- Certain reserved strings such as "com", "edu", "gov", "mil", "org", "co", and "ac" will not be granted at the second level to avoid confusion with third-level domain practices.
- The registry may consult the administrative contact to verify the connection between the applicant and the requested domain name, so ensure your contact details are accurate and responsive at the time of application.
Frequently asked questions about .gm domain
How much does it cost to register and renew a .gm domain?
As of today, .gm domains start from $78.00/yr on NameBeta, with prices ranging up to $169.00/yr across 4 registrars. See the registrar comparison table on this page for live prices.Which registrars support .gm domains?
NameBeta tracks 4 registrars that support .gm domain registration, with the cheapest option at $78.00/yr. Full list on this page.Who operates .gm domain?
The registry for .gm domains is GM-NIC.
Who can register a .gm domain?
Eligibility is tied to a demonstrable connection with The Gambia — this can mean physical residency, operating a business there, providing services about or for The Gambia, or contributing to its local Internet community. The registry actively checks whether the requested domain name is clearly and unambiguously linked to the registrant's name or organisation, and will reach out to the administrative contact if the connection is unclear. Purely speculative registrations, domains using offensive terms, and most common Gambian personal names are all ineligible regardless of the applicant's ties to the country.
Can I transfer a .gm domain between registrars?
Because .gm registrations are handled directly through the GM-NIC registry rather than a network of competing commercial registrars, inter-registrar transfers in the conventional sense do not apply in the same way as with open gTLDs. Changes to registrant or administrative contact details would need to be coordinated with GM-NIC directly through the official registry process at nic.gm. Prospective registrants should contact the registry to understand the current procedures for any ownership or management changes after initial registration.
Can I register a .gm domain if my company is based outside The Gambia?
Foreign-based entities may qualify if they can demonstrate strong ties to The Gambia — for example, by providing services specifically for or about the country, or by actively benefiting its local Internet community. Simply having a general interest in the country or its name is unlikely to be sufficient; the registry evaluates the substance of the connection on a case-by-case basis. Companies seeking to protect a brand name used within The Gambia may also have grounds to apply, provided the domain name clearly and unambiguously identifies their organisation.
Are there content or naming restrictions I should know about before choosing a domain name?
The registry will decline domain names that are offensive to local culture in any of the languages used in The Gambia, so applicants should review their chosen string with this in mind. Common Gambian personal names — whether first or last names — are generally not accepted, which limits the use of name-based domains. Domains starting with a number are only granted in special cases under the registry's name protection clause, and two-letter domains require an internationally accepted abbreviation to qualify.
What happens if my .gm domain application is disputed or rejected?
The GM-NIC administration reviews each application and has the authority to decline registrations that do not meet policy requirements, including those where the connection between the applicant and the domain name is unclear or unverifiable. If there is doubt about eligibility, the registry will consult the administrative contact before making a final decision, giving applicants an opportunity to provide supporting information. Registrants should ensure their contact details are accurate and that they can respond promptly to any registry enquiries to avoid delays or rejection.
