About .mls domain
.mls is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) that was delegated to the root zone in ICANN's New gTLD Program on April 20, 2016. It is a community-based gTLD intended for use by members of the real estate industry, specifically those involved with Multiple Listing Services. The registry operations for .mls transitioned from Verisign to CIRA's Fury Registry Platform in March 2019. The TLD was applied for by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), which filed both a community priority application and a standard gTLD application.
Who can register .mls domain
Registration for a .mls domain is strictly restricted. Only members of The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and its Foreign Affiliate members are permitted to register domains. Initially, the TLD was made available to CREA's Board members and Foreign Affiliate members. After required assessments, a second phase could open registration to broker and salespeople members of CREA. Registrants must adhere to specific naming policies, such as using their corporate name or an acronym, and Foreign Affiliates must include geographical modifiers in their second-level domains.
How to register .mls domain
This TLD is not issued through standard commercial registrars via an open checkout flow. Domains are allocated through a membership-based process managed by the registry operator and its authorized partners. Eligible members must be verified by The Canadian Real Estate Association or its designated affiliate, such as the MLS Domains Association in the United States. Once membership is confirmed, qualified entities can request a domain name that complies with the specific naming policies. The registry or its partner then processes the delegation of the domain to the verified member.
Typical uses of .mls domain
The .mls extension is used exclusively by real estate professionals and organizations operating Multiple Listing Services. It serves as a dedicated online space for MLS boards, associations, and their affiliated brokers and agents to establish their professional web presence. Users choose .mls to clearly signal their affiliation with the standardized real estate listing system, fostering trust and recognition within the industry and among consumers. This TLD helps distinguish official MLS resources from other real estate websites.
Tips for registering .mls domain
- Registration is exclusively available to verified members of The Canadian Real Estate Association or its authorized foreign affiliates.
- Specific naming conventions are enforced; for example, boards must use their corporate name or an acronym as the second-level domain.
- Foreign Affiliate members are required to include geographical modifiers in their domain names or clearly indicate their service area on their website to avoid confusion.
- The TLD was initially rolled out in phases, starting with board and foreign affiliate members before potentially expanding to other member classes.
Frequently asked questions about .mls domain
Who operates .mls domain?
The registry for .mls domains is Canadian Real Estate Association, administered by The Canadian Real Estate Association.
Who can register a .mls domain?
Registration eligibility is strictly limited to members of The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and its Foreign Affiliate members. This includes CREA's Board members and, following assessments, may extend to broker and salespeople members. Foreign Affiliates, such as MLS organizations in the United States, must partner with the registry or an authorized body like the MLS Domains Association to verify and sell domains. Individual real estate agents or unaffiliated companies cannot register a .mls domain.
Can I transfer a .mls domain between registrars?
The transfer process for a .mls domain would be governed by the specific policies of the registry and its membership verification system. Since domains are tied to membership eligibility, any transfer between registrants would likely require proof that the new holder is a qualified member under the same strict criteria. It is advisable to contact the registry operator or the authorized partner managing domain allocations to understand the exact procedure, which may differ from standard inter-registrar transfers for open TLDs.
What naming rules must a .mls domain follow?
Registrants must adhere to strict naming policies set by the registry. Boards using the TLD are required to use their corporate name or an acronym of it as the second-level domain. Foreign Affiliate members must include geographical modifiers in their domain names to prevent confusion, such as using "DurhamNorthCarolina.mls" instead of just "Durham.mls". Alternatively, they can clearly display the geographical area served on their website's homepage.
How was the contention for the .mls TLD resolved?
The Canadian Real Estate Association applied for .mls as both a community priority applicant and a standard gTLD applicant. The community priority application did not pass the required evaluation, scoring 11 out of 16 points when 14 were needed. This meant the contention with other applicants, like Afilias, had to be resolved through other means such as a private auction or an ICANN auction. The association's dual application strategy was designed to ensure it could still obtain the TLD even without community priority status.
Are there any content or usage requirements for .mls websites?
While the source material specifies strict eligibility and naming rules, it does not detail ongoing content requirements for websites using .mls domains. The primary enforcement appears to be at the registration level, ensuring only qualified members can obtain a domain. However, Foreign Affiliate members are required to either include a geographical modifier in their domain name or clearly indicate the geographical area they serve on their site, which is a usage condition tied to preventing consumer confusion.