About .rio domain
.rio is a geographic generic top-level domain (geoTLD) that emerged from ICANN's 2012 New gTLD Program. The registry operator is Empresa Municipal de Informática SA – IPLANRIO, acting under the sponsorship of the City of Rio de Janeiro. ICANN and IPLANRIO signed the Registry Agreement on 27 February 2014, and the TLD was delegated to the Root Zone of the DNS on 22 May 2014. The extension was officially made available for public registration in 2015, making it one of the first city-level geographic TLDs to launch in Latin America.
Who can register .rio domain
Registration of .rio is restricted to individuals and organizations with a verifiable connection to Rio de Janeiro. Specifically, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Official address in Rio de Janeiro — registrants must be able to demonstrate a physical or registered address within the city.
- CPF or CNPJ number — individual registrants need a valid CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas), while businesses must provide a CNPJ (Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica), both being Brazilian federal identification numbers.
- Foreign individuals or companies without a Brazilian tax identification number are generally not eligible to register directly.
How to register .rio domain
Search for your desired .rio domain name. Use a registrar that supports .rio to check whether your preferred name is available. Keep in mind that eligibility requirements apply, so confirm you hold a valid CPF or CNPJ and a Rio de Janeiro address before proceeding.
Compare registrar options and review pricing. Not all registrars offer .rio, so look for one that explicitly lists this extension. Check both the first-year registration price and the renewal rate, as these can differ, and review what is included in the package.
Complete the checkout and provide eligibility documentation. During registration, you will typically be asked to supply your CPF or CNPJ number and confirm your Rio de Janeiro address. Have these details ready before starting the checkout process to avoid delays.
Verify your contact details and configure DNS. After registration, confirm your WHOIS contact information is accurate and up to date, as the registry may audit registrant data. Then set up your DNS records to point the domain to your website, email, or other services.
Typical uses of .rio domain
The .rio extension is most commonly used by residents, businesses, cultural organizations, and public institutions that want to signal a direct connection to Rio de Janeiro. Local companies use it to reinforce their city identity and stand out from generic alternatives, while municipal government services and civic projects use it to communicate official local relevance. Event organizers, tourism operators, community groups, and creative professionals based in Rio de Janeiro also adopt .rio to make their geographic identity immediately clear to visitors and customers.
Tips for registering .rio domain
- Eligibility verification is mandatory. You must hold a valid CPF (for individuals) or CNPJ (for businesses) and maintain an official address in Rio de Janeiro — registrations that cannot be verified against these requirements may be revoked.
- Renewal pricing may differ from introductory rates. Always check the renewal price at your chosen registrar before registering, as first-year promotional pricing is not always the same as the ongoing annual cost.
- WHOIS accuracy is important. Because .rio has geographic and identity-based restrictions, keeping your registrant contact information accurate is especially important; inaccurate data could put your registration at risk.
- Check premium domain availability. Some short or high-value .rio names may be designated as premium domains and priced significantly higher than standard registrations, both at initial registration and on renewal.
- Transfer lock periods apply. Like most gTLDs, .rio domains are typically subject to a 60-day transfer lock after initial registration or after certain account changes, so plan ahead if you intend to move the domain to another registrar soon after purchase.