About .pr domain
.pr is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) assigned to Puerto Rico, delegated on 27 August 1989, making it one of the earlier ccTLDs in operation. It is managed by Gauss Research Laboratory Inc., which also serves as the registry's sponsor. Unlike many ccTLDs that offer only second-level registrations, .pr has a structured namespace where most registrations occur at the third level beneath a variety of second-level labels, though direct second-level .pr registrations are available at a higher cost. The registry has periodically expanded availability, including releasing over 64,000 previously reserved names for sale in April 2020.
Who can register .pr domain
.pr is classified as an open-use ccTLD, meaning it is generally available to businesses, professionals, individuals, and organizations without strict geographic requirements at the top level. However, certain second-level subdomains carry specific restrictions — for example, .isla.pr is limited to people with a presence in Puerto Rico and is offered at a lower price point, while .edu.pr is reserved for educational institutions with a presence in Puerto Rico, and .gov.pr is restricted to agencies of the Puerto Rico government. Subdomains such as .name.pr target individuals, .biz.pr and .com.pr target businesses, and .pro.pr and .prof.pr are intended for professionals and university professors respectively. Registrants should review the specific eligibility rules for the second-level label they intend to use before registering.
How to register .pr domain
Search for your desired .pr domain name using a registrar or the registry's own portal at domains.pr to check availability. Keep in mind that most .pr registrations are structured at the third level (e.g., yourname.com.pr), so you will need to choose both a second-level label and your desired name.
Compare registration options across available registrars, paying attention to pricing differences between third-level registrations and the more expensive direct second-level .pr registrations. Check whether WHOIS privacy is offered, as availability can vary by registrar and TLD policy.
Complete the checkout process by providing accurate registrant contact information. If you are registering under a restricted subdomain such as .isla.pr or .edu.pr, be prepared to confirm or document your eligibility at this stage.
After registration, verify your contact details are correct and configure your DNS settings to point to your hosting provider or nameservers. Keep your registration details up to date, as WHOIS accuracy is important for ccTLD registrations and may be subject to audit.
Typical uses of .pr domain
.pr domains are used by a wide range of registrants who want to establish a connection to Puerto Rico or leverage the extension's dual appeal. Local businesses, professionals, government-adjacent organizations, and educational institutions in Puerto Rico use the structured subdomain system to signal their sector clearly. Beyond geographic association, .pr has found a creative niche among public relations firms and communications professionals worldwide, who use it as a memorable domain hack — for example, agency.pr or yourname.pr — to reflect their industry. National Public Radio's use of n.pr as a URL shortener is a well-known example of this broader creative application.
Tips for registering .pr domain
- .pr offers both third-level registrations (e.g., yourname.com.pr) and direct second-level registrations (e.g., yourname.pr), with second-level registrations available at a significantly higher cost — factor this into your budget before choosing a format.
- The .isla.pr subdomain is specifically priced lower than other .pr options but is limited to registrants with a presence in Puerto Rico, so confirm your eligibility before pursuing this option.
- WHOIS privacy availability may be limited for ccTLDs; check with your chosen registrar before assuming it is included or available as an add-on.
- The registry has released previously reserved premium names for general sale, so names that appeared unavailable in the past may now be registrable — it is worth searching even for names you assumed were taken.
- UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy) applies to .pr, meaning trademark holders have a recognized mechanism to challenge registrations they believe infringe on their rights.