About .miami domain
.miami is an open generic top-level domain (gTLD) launched through ICANN's 2012 New gTLD Program. The registry agreement was signed in December 2013, and the extension was delegated to the Root Zone of the DNS on March 31, 2014, reaching general availability on October 2, 2015. It is currently operated by Registry Services, LLC. The TLD was originally applied for by Top Level Domain Holdings, which was selected by the City of Miami to manage the application and provide back-end registry solutions through its subsidiary, Minds + Machines.
Who can register .miami domain
.miami is an open TLD with no nexus or residency requirements, meaning anyone anywhere in the world can register a .miami domain name. There is no need to prove a connection to the Miami area, hold local citizenship, or belong to any specific organization. Businesses, individuals, brands, and organizations of all types are eligible to register. The open policy was deliberately chosen to maximize participation and allow anyone who wants to associate themselves with Miami to do so for any legal purpose.
How to register .miami domain
Search for your desired .miami domain name using a registrar's availability tool. Because .miami is an open TLD, there are no eligibility checks to clear before purchasing, so you can proceed directly if your chosen name is available.
Compare registrar offerings for .miami registrations, paying attention to both the first-year registration price and the renewal rate, as these can differ significantly. Also check whether WHOIS privacy protection is included or available as an add-on.
Complete the checkout process, selecting your preferred registration term. Most registrars allow multi-year registrations, which can be a convenient way to secure your domain without annual renewal reminders.
After purchase, verify your registrant contact details via any confirmation email sent by the registrar, as ICANN requires accurate WHOIS information. Then configure your DNS settings to point the domain to your website host, mail provider, or other service.
Typical uses of .miami domain
.miami is most commonly used by businesses, entrepreneurs, and creatives who want to signal a strong local identity or connection to the Miami area. Local restaurants, hotels, real estate agencies, event companies, and lifestyle brands use it to immediately communicate their geographic focus to visitors. Tourism-related businesses find it especially effective, as the domain extension itself functions as a marketing signal for the millions of travelers who plan trips to Miami online each year. Individuals and bloggers who want to express civic pride or build a Miami-focused personal brand also choose this extension as a distinctive alternative to generic TLDs.
Tips for registering .miami domain
- .miami is an open TLD with no residency or affiliation requirements, so there are no eligibility documents or verification steps to prepare before registering.
- Pay close attention to the difference between introductory registration pricing and renewal pricing, as some registrars offer steep first-year discounts that do not carry over to subsequent years.
- WHOIS privacy protection availability varies by registrar — confirm whether it is included or offered as a paid add-on before completing your purchase.
- Premium domain names exist within the .miami namespace and are typically priced significantly higher than standard registrations; check whether your desired name carries a premium designation before assuming standard pricing applies.
- Grace periods and redemption windows after expiration vary by registrar policy, so review your registrar's expiration timeline carefully to avoid losing a domain you intend to keep.