About .mo domain
.mo is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) assigned to the Macau Special Administrative Region. It was introduced on 17 September 1992 and is administered by the Macao Network Information Centre (MONIC), which has been operated by HNET Asia Limited under appointment by the Macau government since March 2011. Registrations are available at both the second level (directly under .mo) and the third level (under structured second-level categories such as .com.mo, .edu.mo, .gov.mo, .net.mo, and .org.mo). The extension also supports Chinese-script second-level domains, and corresponding simplified Chinese character domain names are granted to approved registrants at no additional fee.
Who can register .mo domain
Registration of .mo domains is restricted to entities with a legitimate presence in Macau. Eligibility varies by the specific second-level domain being registered:
- .mo / .澳門 — Legal entities registered in Macau
- .com.mo / .公司.mo — Commercial entrepreneurs or self-employed persons registered in Macau
- .net.mo / .網絡.mo — Entities properly licensed for internet or telecommunications services, or authorized by Macau SAR Internet Resources
- .org.mo / .組織.mo — Organizations registered within Macau
- .edu.mo / .教育.mo — Educational institutions accredited by Macau
- .gov.mo / .政府.mo — Public entities within Macau
Applicants must be able to demonstrate their registration or accreditation status within Macau as part of the application process.
How to register .mo domain
Search for availability. Visit the MONIC website (monic.mo) or a registrar that supports .mo to check whether your desired domain name is available. Keep in mind that .mo registrations are restricted, so confirm your eligibility for the specific second-level category (e.g., .com.mo, .org.mo) before proceeding.
Review the registration requirements. Because .mo is a restricted ccTLD, gather the documentation needed to prove your eligibility — such as your Macau business registration certificate or accreditation records. Confirm that your intended domain name does not appear on the MONIC reserved names list.
Submit your application. Complete the registration process through MONIC or an authorized registrar, providing the required supporting documentation. Domain names may include English letters (a–z), digits (0–9), hyphens, Portuguese special characters, or Chinese characters depending on the second-level domain chosen, and must not exceed 63 characters after punycode encoding.
Verify your contact details and configure DNS. After approval, confirm that your registrant contact information is accurate and set up your DNS records to point the domain to your server or hosting provider. Note that approved Chinese-character domain holders automatically receive the corresponding simplified Chinese character domain at no extra cost.
Typical uses of .mo domain
The .mo extension is primarily used by businesses, organizations, and institutions that are officially registered and operating within Macau. Commercial enterprises typically register under .com.mo to establish a locally recognized web presence, while non-profits, educational institutions, and government bodies use their respective structured second-level categories. Because eligibility is tightly tied to local registration status, .mo domains serve as a strong trust signal for entities serving Macau-based audiences, distinguishing them from generic global alternatives.
Tips for registering .mo domain
- Restricted eligibility is enforced. You must provide documentation proving your legal registration or accreditation in Macau; applications without valid supporting evidence will not be approved.
- Check the reserved names list before applying. MONIC maintains a list of names that cannot be registered by the public; reviewing it early can save time during the application process.
- Simplified Chinese domain included at no extra cost. If your approved domain uses Chinese-character second-level suffixes (such as .公司.mo), the corresponding simplified Chinese character version is granted automatically and free of charge.
- Character rules vary by domain type. Domains under Latin-script second-level categories may include Portuguese special characters (e.g., á, ç, ê), while Chinese-script categories require at least one Chinese character and may mix English and Chinese.
- Domain name length limit applies after punycode encoding. Even if your domain appears short in Chinese characters, the punycode-encoded version must not exceed 63 characters — factor this in when choosing a name.