.gov.uk domains
Empower Your Government Presence
Official .gov.uk Domain Registration Made Easy!
How To Register .gov.uk Domain Names
Looking to register a .gov.uk domain? Hostworld, an approved domain registrar, is here to assist you. We specialise in registering .ac.uk, .gov.uk, and .gov.scot domain names.
The .gov.uk domains are issued exclusively to eligible organisations through Nominet. For .ac.uk domains, registration is restricted to eligible entities according to criteria set by UKERNA (United Kingdom Education and Research Networking Association). Additionally, .gov.scot domains are managed through JISC.
Whether you need to register a new .gov domain or transfer an existing one to Hostworld, we have you covered. If your current provider is no longer an authorised domain registrar, our team can seamlessly manage your domain transfer.
For more information about eligibility requirements, please see below.
Choosing a .gov.uk domain name
Your proposed domain name must clearly describe your organisation or the government initiative you are providing. Consider the users of the domain name and ensure that the name is not too long or complicated.
Your domain name must:
- be between 3 and 63 characters long
- contain only alphanumeric characters (0-9 and a-z) and the '-' (dash) symbol
Your domain name must not:
- be the same or substantially similar to an existing .gov.uk domain name
- use '&' (ampersands) or '_' (underscores)
- include abbreviations like ltd, plc and gov
- include a postcode
You must use the full name of your organisation, government initiative or an appropriate suffix or abbreviation.
If you apply for an acronym, initialism, or abbreviation this must be descriptive, unique and clear to avoid user confusion. Applications for these terms will need approval from the Naming and Approvals Committee. Commonly-used abbreviations like DWP, HMRC or DVLA are acceptable as are abbreviations that are well-known to your users.
Example
A central department can use hmrc.gov.uk.
A county council can use northamptonshire.gov.uk.
A town council can use biggleswadetowncouncil.gov.uk, biggleswadetown.gov.uk, or biggleswade-tc.gov.uk.
A parish council can use bonbyparishcouncil.gov.uk, bonbyparish.gov.uk, or bonby-pc.gov.uk.
Ensure your domain name includes a geographical identifier your users will recognise. For example, northyorks.gov.uk is acceptable.
Benefits of registering a .gov.uk domain
Find out the benefits of getting and using a .gov.uk domain.
From: Central Digital and Data Office and Cabinet Office. Published 30 June 2022 Last updated 20 January 2023.
Most public sector organisations must use a .gov.uk or other government domain name for their websites, emails and services. But there are circumstances when your organisation can get non-government domain names.
A .gov.uk domain name used by your organisation:
- Using a .gov.uk domain name shows that your services, emails, and websites are from a trusted UK public sector organisation, such as a central government department or parish council. This reassures users that they are interacting with an official and reliable entity.
- Using a .gov.uk domain name means your website and services could potentially rank higher in search results. This domain extension signals to search engines that your site is a trusted UK public sector organisation, such as a central government department or parish council, enhancing your online credibility and visibility.
- Using a .gov.uk domain name allows your staff to join public sector communities that require a .gov.uk email. This facilitates collaboration and access to resources and networks exclusive to trusted UK public sector organisations.
- A .gov.uk domain name is monitored for potential security vulnerabilities, which will be reported to you by the Protecting Public Sector Domains Team at the Cabinet Office. This ensures that your website and services remain secure and trustworthy.
- A .gov.uk domain name gives your organisation the ability to better control email accounts by allowing you to easily remove staff when they leave. This helps maintain security and ensures that only current employees have access to official communication channels.
- A .gov.uk domain name gives your domain better legal protection because it is based in a UK jurisdiction. This ensures that your website and services are governed by UK laws, providing an additional layer of legal security.
- Using a .gov.uk domain name means outgoing emails are more likely to be cleared by security filters and delivered to citizens and other public sector organisations. This increases the reliability and effectiveness of your communications.
- Using a .gov.uk domain name increases transparency for smaller organisations when public servants use corporate email accounts instead of personal email accounts for official government business. This practice helps ensure accountability and maintains the integrity of official communications.
- Using a .gov.uk domain name helps smaller organisations fulfil best practice guidelines as outlined in the Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance Practitioners' Guide 2021. This ensures that your organisation adheres to recommended standards for transparency, accountability, and governance.
Use a .gov.uk domain to help respond to FOI requests
If you are using personal equipment or email addresses for the work of your organisation, you may have to submit them for scrutiny if your organisation receives a freedom of information or data request. This highlights the importance of using official .gov.uk email addresses to maintain privacy and ensure proper handling of official communications.
Anyone can submit a written request for information in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This law means your organisation could be asked to disclose a wide range of data, including:
- Internal communications
- Meeting minutes
- Financial records
- Email correspondences
- Project documentation
- Policies and procedures
Using a .gov.uk domain name helps ensure that all official communications and records are properly managed and easily accessible for compliance with such requests.
Having a .gov.uk email account that is only used for government business will make it easier to respond to any FOI requests. This ensures that all official communications are kept separate from personal emails, simplifying the process of locating and disclosing relevant information when required.
Apply for a .gov.uk domain name: step by step
We're an Approved registrar, use us.
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.
3. Choose your domain name
4. Apply for your domain name
5. Appeal your rejected domain name application
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.
7. Manage your domain name
Registrants or their Technical Points of Contact can make changes to a .gov.uk domain name.
If your organisation no longer needs a domain name, you must take steps to protect it.
Responsibilities of .gov.uk domain holders
Those wishing to register and operate a .gov domain have certain responsibilities. The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) requires that you read and subscribe for updates on the following pages:
- Get permission to apply for a .gov.uk domain name
- Identify a domain name administrator
- Choose your .gov.uk domain name
- Get started with your .gov.uk domain name
- How you are accountable for protecting your .gov.uk domain
- Creating and managing .gov.uk subdomains
- Keeping your domain name secure
- Renew your domain name
- Make changes to your .gov.uk domain name
- How to stop using your domain name
- What to do if your domain is compromised
Available .gov.uk domains
gov.uk domains
The .gov.uk domain is reserved for official UK government websites such as hmrc.gov.uk or dwp.gov.uk. For eligibility guidelines, click here.
ac.uk domains
This domain is reserved for higher education and research establishments such as Universities such as cam.ac.uk or open.ac.uk. The ac is an abbreviation of academic. Click here to find out about eligibility.
Ready to order your gov.uk domain?
If you already have or are ordering a website with us then the cost of a domain name is as follows:
£120 +VAT per 2 years
If you don't already have a gov domain name then please complete the form at the bottom of this page. We can process the application on your behalf. If you already have a gov domain then please call us or email us on [email protected] and we'll be happy to assist.
gov.wales and llyw.cymru domains
These domains are reserved for official Welsh public sector organisations. More information can be found here.
gov.scot domains
The .gov.scot domains are reserved for official Scottish government websites.
Already have a gov.uk domain that you'd like to transfer to us?
With recent Cabinet Office changes, we realise that some registrars will not be continuing to register and manage gov.uk domain names from 2024. Hostworld can transfer your existing gov.uk domain to us and continue to manage it on your behalf. Simply email us at [email protected] and include the following:
- Your domain name
- Your current registrar
Have questions?
If you still have questions about ordering a gov.uk domain then feel free to contact us using the form below.
.gov.uk Application Form
Please complete the form below as accurately as possible. We'll contact you to discuss your requirements.
Please note that the Cabinet Office requires all Parish Councils to include either the letters pc or the words parishcouncil in the domain name, usually preceded by a hyphen. For Town Councils, please use -tc, town or towncouncil in the same way. Community councils should use -cc or communitycouncil. Examples are anytown-pc.gov.uk, anytownparish.gov.uk or anytownparishcouncil.gov.uk.