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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:

Your domain name must not:

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.

Using a .gov.uk domain is beneficial because it gives your eligible organisations trusted branding, increased security and helps meet any policy and legal obligations.

A .gov.uk domain name used by your organisation:

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.

To get a .gov.uk domain name follow the apply for a .gov.uk domain name guidance.

We’re an Approved registrar, use us.

1. Check if your organisation can apply

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.

Identify a registrant for your .gov.uk domain name

Choose a .gov.uk Approved Registrar

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.

Get started with your .gov.uk domain name

Keep your domain name secure

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

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:

  1. Your domain name
  2. 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 the the Cabinet Office require all Parish Councils to include either the letters ‘pc’ or the words ‘parishcouncil’ in the domain name, usually preceeded 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.

    Required Services

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    Domain OnlyDomain and EmailDomain, Website & Email