Requirements for .uk Domain Registration
Requirements for .uk Domain Registration
The .uk domain is the country code TLD for the United Kingdom. It is managed by Nominet, the official registry for .uk domains. The .uk namespace includes several second-level extensions such as .co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk, and the shorter .uk itself.
.uk Domain Extensions
| Extension | Intended Use |
|---|---|
.uk | General use — shorter alternative to .co.uk |
.co.uk | Commercial organizations |
.org.uk | Non-commercial organizations |
.me.uk | Personal websites |
.net.uk | Internet-related companies (limited new registrations) |
.ltd.uk | UK limited companies (requires Companies House number) |
.plc.uk | UK public limited companies (requires Companies House number) |
Registration Requirements
Address Requirement
To register a .uk domain, you must provide a UK address for the registrant contact. This can be:
- A residential address in the UK
- A business address in the UK
- The address of a UK-based agent or representative
If you are located outside the UK, you may use a UK-based trading address or appoint a local representative whose address can be listed.
Eligibility by Extension
.uk,.co.uk,.org.uk,.me.uk— Open to anyone who can provide a valid UK address. There are no citizenship or residency requirements beyond the address rule..ltd.uk— Restricted to companies registered at UK Companies House. The domain must match the company name..plc.uk— Restricted to public limited companies registered at UK Companies House.
Registration Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | UK address required |
| Minimum registration period | 1 year (.uk); 2 years (.co.uk and others) |
| Maximum registration period | Up to 10 years |
| WHOIS privacy | Available for individual registrants via Nominet’s opt-out |
| DNSSEC | Supported |
| IDN support | Not supported |
How to Register a .uk Domain
- Prepare a UK address — Ensure you have a valid UK address to use as the registrant contact.
- Search — Use the 10Corp domain search to check availability for your desired
.ukor.co.ukdomain. - Choose your extension — Decide whether the shorter
.ukor the traditional.co.ukis the better fit for your brand. - Provide registrant details — Enter your UK address and contact information.
- Complete checkout — Finalize the registration and your domain will be active shortly.
.uk vs .co.uk
| Factor | .uk | .co.uk |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Shorter | Longer but very established |
| Recognition | Growing | Extremely well-known in the UK |
| Availability | Good — many short names available | Limited for popular names |
| Pricing | Similar | Similar |
| Right of registration | .co.uk holders had first right to matching .uk through 2019 | N/A |
Both extensions work equally well for SEO and branding in the UK market.
WHOIS and Privacy
Nominet allows individual registrants (as opposed to organizations) to opt out of having their personal details published in WHOIS. When you opt out, your address and phone number are hidden from public lookups while your name and email remain visible.
Corporate registrants do not have this opt-out option — their details remain publicly visible.
Dispute Resolution
Nominet operates its own Dispute Resolution Service (DRS) for .uk domain disputes. This is separate from ICANN’s UDRP process and is designed specifically for the .uk namespace.
Summary
The .uk domain family offers a trusted, well-recognized extension for businesses and individuals connected to the United Kingdom. The main requirement is a valid UK address. Register your .uk or .co.uk domain through 10Corp to establish your British online presence.