Guidance

Choose a .gov.uk Approved Registrar

Find out what a .gov.uk Approved Registrar does, how to choose one and information about pricing.

From:
Central Digital and Data Office and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Published
6 March 2024
Last updated
14 June 2024 — See all updates

What a .gov.uk Approved Registrar does

Only suppliers who have signed up to the Criteria to be a .gov.uk Approved Registrar can:

  • apply for a .gov.uk domain name on your organisation’s behalf

  • set up and keep your .gov.uk domain live on the internet

  • keep your .gov.uk domain secure

  • fix problems quickly if your .gov.uk domain goes offline

A .gov.uk Approved Registrar may also help you set up and manage services that use your domain like websites and email accounts.

How to choose a .gov.uk Approved Registrar 

Choose a supplier from the list of .gov.uk Approved registrars. The Domains Team cannot recommend a specific supplier for you to use.

Registrars provide a range of services as well as the basic registration and Domain Name System (DNS). You should research a few registrars from this list to find a registrar that is suitable for your specific needs. 

If you’re a parish council, you can ask for support getting a .gov.uk domain name by emailing parish-helper@domains.gov.uk for more information.

Prices for a .gov.uk domain

As a registrant you must buy a domain from a .gov.uk Approved Registrar. 

Registrars pay the Registry Operator a registration and renewal fee. This fee is £10 plus VAT per year. Registrars are free to set their own prices for providing the registration and DNS services of .gov.uk domains, but must itemise separately and explicitly for:

  • support

  • email

  • web hosting

  • enhanced security or resilience

  • any other service

Do not evaluate suppliers based on cost alone. Make sure the service has the security and support you need to protect and manage your domain.

You should perform due diligence on any supplier in line with your organisation’s procurement policies even if you have received a recommendation

Updates to this page

Published 6 March 2024
Last updated 14 June 2024 + show all updates

  1. Updated to clarify that all .gov.uk Approved Registrars follow the Criteria to be a .gov.uk Approved Registrar.

  2. This page is a revised version of the "Choose a good supplier for your .gov.uk domain" page, which has been unpublished and redirected to this page. We have simplified this guidance as all suppliers selling .gov.uk domain names have committed to meeting the Criteria to be a .gov.uk Approved Registrar guidance.

  3. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page

Contents

Part of Apply for a .gov.uk domain name: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if your organisation can apply

    1. Benefits of getting a .gov.uk domain
    2. Check your organisation can get a .gov.uk domain name
    3. Get permission to apply

  2. Step 2 Identify a registrant for your .gov.uk domain name

    If your organisation is eligible for a .gov.uk domain name, you must identify a registrant who is going to be responsible for the domain and then choose a .gov.uk Approved Registrar.

    1. Identify a registrant for your .gov.uk domain name
    2. You are currently viewing: Choose a .gov.uk Approved Registrar

  3. Step 3 Choose your domain name

    1. Choose your .gov.uk domain name

  4. Step 4 Apply for your domain name

    1. Apply for your .gov.uk domain name

  5. Step 5 Appeal your rejected domain name application

    1. Appeal your rejected .gov.uk domain name application

  6. Step 6 Use your domain name

    Registrants must follow the Cabinet Office guidelines once their .gov.uk domain is live, or Cabinet Office will withdraw it. For example, registrants must keep contact details up to date.

    1. Get started with your .gov.uk domain name
    2. Keep your domain name secure

  7. Step 7 Manage your domain name

    Registrants or their Technical Points of Contact can make changes to a .gov.uk domain name.

    1. Renew your domain name
    2. Create and manage .gov.uk subdomains
    3. Modify or transfer your domain name

    If your organisation no longer needs a domain name, you must take steps to protect it.

    1. Stop using your domain name
    2. What to do if your domain is compromised