About .հայ domain
.հայ is the internationalized country code top-level domain (IDN ccTLD) representing Armenia, written in the Armenian script. It is managed by the "Internet Society" Non-governmental Organization through its official registry, AM NIC. The application was submitted through ICANN's IDN ccTLD Fast Track process on April 1, 2014, and the domain was formally delegated to the Root Zone on May 7, 2015. In ASCII-compatible encoding, the extension is represented as xn--y9a3aq, with a Latin-script transliteration of "hye". It shares its registration policy framework with the .am ccTLD, also administered by the same registry.
Who can register .հայ domain
.հայ is intended for registrants with a connection to Armenia, following the same eligibility rules as the .am ccTLD. Because it is a ccTLD administered by AM NIC, prospective registrants should review the AM NIC registration policy to confirm any geographic or organizational requirements. The domain is available for registration under the .համայնք.հայ second-level domain as well as at the second level directly. Registrants should check with an accredited registrar or AM NIC directly to confirm current eligibility documentation requirements.
How to register .հայ domain
Search for your desired .հայ domain name using a registrar that supports Armenian-script IDN ccTLDs. Because .հայ uses Armenian Unicode characters, confirm that the registrar's search tool correctly handles non-Latin input before proceeding.
Compare registrar options for pricing, renewal terms, and support for IDN domains. Not all registrars carry .հայ, so you may need to work directly with AM NIC-accredited registrars to find a suitable provider.
Complete the checkout process, providing accurate registrant contact details. Pay close attention to WHOIS accuracy requirements, as AM NIC's policy aligns with .am rules and mandates correct registrant information.
After registration, verify your contact details and configure your DNS settings. Note that domain labels in .հայ must use permitted Armenian Unicode characters and digits, and the total Punycode-converted label must not exceed 63 characters.
Typical uses of .հայ domain
.հայ is most commonly used by individuals, businesses, and organizations that want to present an online identity fully in the Armenian script, making their web presence immediately recognizable to Armenian-language audiences. It is a natural choice for Armenian-language websites, cultural institutions, community portals, and businesses serving Armenian-speaking users who prefer navigating the web in their native script. Choosing .հայ over the ASCII .am alternative signals a commitment to a fully localized, script-native online presence and helps users in Armenia and the global Armenian-speaking diaspora find and trust the site more readily.
Tips for registering .հայ domain
- .հայ domain names must use only permitted Armenian Unicode small letters, the "ւ" symbol, digits 0–9, and dashes; certain ligature letters such as "եւ" and "ու" are not permitted directly and have recommended substitutions.
- The Punycode-converted label for any .հայ domain name must not exceed 63 characters, so plan your domain name length carefully before registering.
- Registration and renewal policies for .հայ mirror those of the .am ccTLD zone; review AM NIC's current policy document at amnic.net before registering to understand grace periods, redemption rules, and renewal obligations.
- Not all international registrars support Armenian-script IDN ccTLDs, so availability through mainstream registrar platforms may be limited — working directly with AM NIC-accredited providers is advisable.
- WHOIS accuracy is required under AM NIC policy; ensure all registrant contact information is correct at the time of registration and kept up to date throughout the registration term.