Get a non-government domain name
Check if your organisation is eligible for a non-government domain name and how to get one.
Most public sector organisations must use a .gov.uk or other relevant government domain name. Check if you are eligible to apply for a .gov.uk domain. There are times when it’s possible to get a non-government domain name.
1. Check you can get a non-government domain name
You should only buy a non-government domain like .co.uk, .org.uk, .info, or .com if your organisation qualifies for a GOV.UK exemption or you need to defensively register the domain name to protect your organisation or service from being spoofed.
Examples
legalservicesboard.org.uk qualified for an exemption because less than 50% of its funding was provided by the government.
iraqinquiry.org.uk was given an exemption from GOV.UK. The Exemptions team will consider inquiries on a case by case basis.
hmrc.com is defensively registered by HMRC to protect hmrc.gov.uk.
If you defensively register a non-government domain name you must email domainmanagement@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk to let us know the domain name and the contact details of the administrator. This will allow the Domain Management team to monitor the domain name.$E
2. Put a process in place to manage the domain name
If your organisation qualifies for a non-government domain name you must appoint a trusted domain name administrator to:
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manage the domain name
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renew the domain name
The domain name administrator will have significant control over your domain name, potentially affecting services or applications associated with it.
For large organisations, the administrator will usually be a member of staff who is part of the domain management team. For smaller organisations like parish councils, the administrator will usually be the clerk or an employee with a legal obligation to the organisation.
3. Choose an appropriate domain name
You must choose a non-government domain name that is:
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descriptive
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unique
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not confusing for users
Choose a descriptive domain name
Your proposed domain name must clearly describe your organisation or government initiative you’re providing.
Your domain name must:
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be between 3 and 63 characters long
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contain only alphanumeric characters (0-9 and a-z) and the ‘-‘ (dash) symbol
Your domain name must not:
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be the same or substantially similar to an existing .gov.uk domain name
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use ‘&’ (ampersands) or ‘_’ (underscores)
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include abbreviations like ltd, plc and gov
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include a postcode
Example
visitblackpool.com is suitable for tourism promotion.
Avoid user confusion when using acronyms or abbreviations
If you use an acronym, initialism, or abbreviation this must be descriptive, unique and clear to avoid user confusion. You can use abbreviations that are well-known to your users.
Example
cefas.co.uk is suitable for the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science.
4. Buy your domain name
You must buy the domain name through your chosen registrar or DNS provider using a role-based email account.
Do not use personal email addresses like ‘[your-name]@gmail.com’ or workplace email addresses of individuals like ‘[your-name]@[your-organisation].gov.uk’ for any of the domain contacts. Use a role-based email address.
Do not buy a domain name with a payment card that is tied to an individual. Use a payment method that is connected to your organisation.
5. Use and manage your domain name
You must make sure your non-government domain names:
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are set up correctly and double-check that the nameservers used by your registrar or DNS provider are registry locked
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redirect to a .gov.uk domain name, if appropriate
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have up to date contact details for the domain name owner
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are modified and renewed properly
You must follow best practices outlined by ICANN to protect domain name registration accounts.
Make sure you keep registration documents, bills, server logs, marketing materials and emails to help verify your ownership if the domain is compromised and you need to prove ownership.
6. Stop using your non-government domain name
If you no longer need to use your non-government domain you must:
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continue to renew it so malicious actors cannot purchase it
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make technical changes to protect the domain so it no longer sends email
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renew any security certificates attached to your domain
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continue to monitor the domain on a regular basis
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make sure your supplier is providing your domain with the level of security that you need even if you are not using it
Contacts
Email domainmanagement@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk if you have any questions about registering non-government domain names.
Updates to this page
Published 19 December 2019Last updated 30 June 2022 + show all updates
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Adding step 6 to show how to stop using a non-government domain securely
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First published.