About .mc domain
.mc is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) delegated to the Principality of Monaco. It is managed by Direction des Plateformes et des Ressources Numériques, which operates the registry at nic.mc. The extension was first delegated on 20 January 1995 and has remained active since. Registrations are made directly at the second level, and as of March 2022, domains can only be registered through accredited registrars rather than directly through the registry. Several legacy second-level structures (such as .asso.mc and .avocat.mc) were retired in January 2022, with no new registrations permitted under those zones.
Who can register .mc domain
.mc is a restricted ccTLD — registration is not open to the general public or to individuals without a qualifying professional status. The following categories are eligible:
- Legal entities with a registered office, principal place of business, or administrative office in Monaco
- Embassies, consulates, and diplomatic corps of Monaco located abroad
- Monegasque associations, foundations, and public bodies
- Trademark holders whose mark is registered and/or protected in Monaco
- Self-employed professionals duly authorized by a decision of the Minister of State
Each application requires supporting documentation: companies must provide a recent transcript (dated within three months) from Monaco's Trade & Industry Register; self-employed professionals must include a professional certificate; associations must supply a copy of the relevant Journal de Monaco publication; trademark holders must include a copy of their trademark registration certificate.
How to register .mc domain
Registering a .mc domain follows a registrar-based process that has been in place since March 2022.
Search for availability. Use the WHOIS tool at nic.mc or a registrar's search interface to check whether your desired .mc domain name is available. Remember that domain names must be at least 3 and no more than 63 characters long, using only alphanumeric characters and hyphens (with hyphens not permitted at the start, end, or in the 3rd–4th position).
Choose an accredited registrar. Identify a registrar that is accredited by the .mc registry to submit applications on your behalf. Compare their pricing, support options, and any additional services they offer, such as DNS management or domain forwarding.
Prepare and submit your documentation. Because .mc is a restricted TLD, you must supply the appropriate eligibility documentation alongside your registration request — such as a Trade & Industry Register transcript, professional certificate, or trademark registration certificate. Your registrar will guide you through the submission process.
Await registry approval and configure DNS. The registry reviews your application and documentation before the domain is activated. Once approved, log in to your registrar account to configure your DNS records and point the domain to your website or service.
Typical uses of .mc domain
The .mc extension is primarily used by businesses, organizations, and professionals with a verified presence in Monaco, making it a trusted signal of local legitimacy. Companies listed on Monaco's Trade & Industry Register often use .mc to establish an authoritative online identity that clearly identifies them with the Principality. Trademark holders and professional associations based in Monaco also rely on .mc to protect their brand online. Because eligibility is tied to documented ties to Monaco, the extension carries a degree of credibility that open TLDs cannot replicate.
Tips for registering .mc domain
- Documentation is mandatory before approval. Unlike open TLDs where a domain activates immediately after checkout, .mc applications require supporting documents reviewed by the registry — factor in processing time when planning a launch.
- Domain names must be at least 3 characters long and no more than 63 characters, using only letters a–z, digits 0–9, and hyphens (no Unicode or internationalized characters are permitted).
- Legacy second-level zones are closed. Zones such as .asso.mc, .avocat.mc, and others were retired in January 2022; no new registrations are accepted under these structures, so plan to register directly at the second level.
- Registrar model is required. Since March 2022, all .mc registrations must go through an accredited registrar — you cannot register directly through the registry, so ensure your chosen registrar holds the necessary accreditation.
- Dispute resolution is handled between parties. The .mc registry does not intervene in domain disputes; any conflicts are resolved directly between the parties involved, so trademark holders should be proactive about monitoring and protecting their names.