About .py domain
.py is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Paraguay, delegated and managed by NIC-PY (Network Information Center - Paraguay), which operates under the sponsorship of the Centro Nacional de Computación at the Universidad Nacional de Asunción. The extension was first introduced on 9 September 1991, making it one of the earlier ccTLD delegations in Latin America. Unlike many ccTLDs that allow direct second-level registrations, .py does not permit registrations at the second level — all domains must be registered at the third level beneath one of the designated second-level labels such as .com.py or .net.py. All registration applications are subject to approval by the registry, and registrants must maintain a contact in Paraguay.
Who can register .py domain
Any individual or legal entity — national or foreign — may apply to register a domain under .py, with no restriction on the number of domains a single person, company, or institution may hold. However, registrations must be made under one of the designated second-level domains, and some of those carry specific eligibility requirements:
- .com.py — open to any organization, company, product, service, or individual not covered by the other second-level categories.
- .net.py — intended for entities within the digital and telecommunications ecosystem.
- .edu.py — restricted to educational institutions located in Paraguay and recognized by the MEC, CONES, or a creation law; supporting documentation is required.
- .gov.py — reserved exclusively for national or municipal government entities and state-dependent decentralized bodies.
- .mil.py — granted only to dependencies of the Paraguayan Armed Forces.
- .coop.py — available to cooperatives of any type recognized by INCOOP.
- .org.py — intended for organizations and individuals engaged in social, civic, or non-profit activities within Paraguay.
All applicants must provide a contact in Paraguay, and restricted second-level domains require submission of appropriate documentation for registry approval.
How to register .py domain
Search for availability under the right second-level domain. Before checking availability, decide which second-level label fits your use case — for example, .com.py for general commercial use or .org.py for non-profit activity. Use NIC-PY's official portal or an authorized registrar to check whether your desired third-level name is available.
Compare registrar options and review pricing. A limited number of registrars are authorized to process .py registrations. Compare their pricing, support quality, and any included services, keeping in mind that .py registrations may have different pricing tiers for shorter domain names (under four characters).
Complete the registration application and submit documentation. Fill in your registrant details, ensuring you can provide a valid contact in Paraguay. If you are applying under a restricted second-level domain such as .edu.py or .coop.py, prepare and upload the required supporting documentation at this stage, as approval is not automatic.
Await registry approval and configure your DNS. Unlike many open ccTLDs, .py registrations are subject to approval by NIC-PY before becoming active. Once approved, log in to your registrar account to set your nameservers and configure DNS records so your domain resolves correctly.
Typical uses of .py domain
The .py extension is most commonly used by businesses, organizations, and individuals based in Paraguay who want a locally recognized web presence. Commercial entities typically register under .com.py to signal a connection to the Paraguayan market, while non-profits and civic groups favor .org.py. Government agencies and educational institutions use their respective restricted subdomains to establish official credibility. Beyond Paraguay, the extension has attracted some interest from developers and projects associated with the Python programming language, who find the two-letter suffix a natural fit for Python-related branding and tooling sites.
Tips for registering .py domain
- Minimum domain name length is four characters, though the registry recommends at least five to reduce the chance of conflicts. Names shorter than four characters may still be registered with justification and are typically subject to a different (higher) cost.
- All registrations require a contact in Paraguay. Make sure you have a local contact ready before applying, as this is a registry requirement that applies to both domestic and foreign registrants.
- Registry approval is mandatory. Your domain will not become active immediately after checkout — NIC-PY must review and approve the application, so factor in processing time when planning a launch.
- Restricted second-level domains require documentation. If you are registering under .edu.py, .gov.py, .mil.py, .coop.py, or .org.py, prepare official supporting documents in advance to avoid delays or rejection.
- Valid characters include accented letters and ñ. The registry accepts á, é, í, ó, ú, and ñ in domain names, which can be useful for Spanish-language branding, though names must not begin or end with a hyphen or contain two consecutive hyphens.