Requirements for .us Domain Registration

Requirements for .us Domain Registration

The .us domain is the country code TLD for the United States. It is managed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and operated by Registry Services, LLC. Unlike many other ccTLDs, .us has specific eligibility requirements known as the Nexus Policy.

Nexus Requirements

To register a .us domain, the registrant must fall into one of three nexus categories:

Category C1 — U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

Any natural person who is:

• A citizen of the United States, or
• A permanent resident of the United States

Category C2 — U.S. Entity

Any entity or organization that is:

• Incorporated in the United States, or
• Organized under the laws of a U.S. state, territory, or the federal government

This includes businesses (LLCs, corporations, partnerships), nonprofits, government agencies, and educational institutions.

Category C3 — Foreign Entity with U.S. Presence

Any foreign entity or individual that:

• Has a bona fide presence in the United States (such as a physical office, registered agent, or ongoing business operations)

WHOIS Privacy Restrictions

One of the most significant differences between .us and other TLDs is that WHOIS privacy is not allowed. NTIA policy requires that all .us domain registrant contact information — including name, address, phone number, and email — be publicly accessible through WHOIS.

This means:

• You cannot use a privacy or proxy service to hide your registration details.
• Your personal or business contact information will be publicly visible.
• This applies to all .us registrations without exception.

Registration Details

How to Register a .us Domain

1. Confirm eligibility — Verify that you meet one of the three nexus categories above.
2. Search — Enter your desired domain name in the 10Corp domain search and select .us.
3. Provide accurate WHOIS data — Since privacy protection is not available, use a business address if you prefer not to expose a personal home address.
4. Select nexus category — During checkout you will be asked to specify which nexus category (C1, C2, or C3) applies to you.
5. Complete registration — Finalize payment and your domain will be active shortly.

Compliance and Audits

The .us registry reserves the right to audit registrants for nexus compliance. If you cannot demonstrate a valid U.S. nexus upon request, your domain may be suspended or deleted. Keep documentation ready to prove your eligibility if audited.

Common Use Cases

• U.S.-based small businesses and local services
• Government and civic organizations
• Political campaigns
• U.S. community projects and organizations

Summary

The .us domain is a strong choice for U.S.-based entities, but it comes with mandatory nexus requirements and no WHOIS privacy. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and are comfortable with public WHOIS data before registering. Search for your .us domain through 10Corp to get started.