About .ki domain
.ki is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) assigned to Kiribati, delegated by IANA on 19 April 1995. The registry is currently operated by the Communications Commission of Kiribati (CCK), which oversees domain name services through its website at cck.ki. The extension has gone through several administrative transitions since its early days, when it was managed by an Australian ISP on behalf of the Kiribati government, before eventually being brought under local control. .ki is a member of CoCCA, a consortium of ccTLD registries sharing common registry and dispute resolution infrastructure. Registrations are available both directly at the second level (e.g., example.ki) and at the third level beneath a range of functional second-level labels.
Who can register .ki domain
.ki is classified as an open-use ccTLD, meaning international registrants are eligible to register names directly under .ki — though they are charged a higher fee than domestic registrants. Second-level domain registrations (example.ki) carry a fee of AUD 1,000, while third-level registrations under most category labels cost AUD 150. The functional second-level labels .gov.ki and .edu.ki are reserved exclusively for qualifying Kiribati government entities and educational institutions respectively. Third-level registrations under .com.ki, .org.ki, .biz.ki, .net.ki, .info.ki, and .edu.ki are restricted to Kiribati-based organizations, residents, and schools.
How to register .ki domain
Search for your desired .ki domain name using the CCK's domain name service portal at cck.ki or through a registrar that carries .ki registrations. Keep in mind that names are available both directly at the second level (example.ki) and at the third level under category labels such as .com.ki or .net.ki, so consider which structure best suits your needs.
Review the applicable fee structure before proceeding — second-level .ki registrations cost AUD 1,000, while third-level registrations under most labels cost AUD 150, and .edu.ki registrations cost AUD 50. Confirm whether your intended registration falls under an open or restricted label, as some second-level categories require Kiribati residency or organizational presence.
Complete your registration by submitting the required contact and organizational details through the registry or an authorized registrar. You will need to agree to the Kiribati Domain Name Service Agreement, which governs use of the extension.
After registration, verify that your contact details are accurate and configure your DNS settings to point to your hosting provider or name servers. Since many .ki sites are hosted outside Kiribati, ensure your hosting infrastructure is set up before the domain goes live.
Typical uses of .ki domain
.ki domains are most commonly used by government agencies, businesses, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations with a genuine connection to Kiribati. Local entities tend to register under the structured third-level labels such as .gov.ki or .edu.ki to signal their official status within the country. International registrants occasionally register .ki domains either for business purposes tied to the region or as creative domain hacks, taking advantage of the two-letter suffix. Because of the relatively high cost of second-level registrations, most active .ki domains tend to belong to established organizations rather than individual hobbyists.
Tips for registering .ki domain
- Second-level .ki registrations (example.ki) carry a notably high registration fee of AUD 1,000, so budget accordingly before committing to this format; third-level registrations under most category labels are significantly cheaper at AUD 150.
- The .edu.ki label is the lowest-cost third-level option at AUD 50, but it is reserved for qualifying educational institutions in Kiribati and cannot be registered by general applicants.
- International registrants are explicitly permitted to register .ki domains, but they are charged at a higher rate than domestic registrants — confirm the applicable fee tier with the registry before submitting your application.
- Review the Kiribati Domain Name Service Agreement carefully before registering, as it sets out the terms of use, registrant obligations, and any conditions that may affect your ability to retain the domain.
- Many .ki websites are hosted on servers outside Kiribati due to limited local internet infrastructure, so plan your hosting arrangement independently of your domain registration.