Registry Services

Often referred to as the internet’s phonebook, the Domain Name System (DNS) translates difficult to remember IP addresses into human-readable domain names, such as www.nominet.uk.  

Devices rely on IP addresses to represent their locations on the internet. The IP address acts like map coordinates and enables networked machines to locate and therefore communicate with each other. By translating domain names into IP addresses, DNS servers make the internet easier to use.  

A Top-Level Domain (TLD) is simply the name for letters to the right of the dot in your website or email address. There are two main types of TLDs:  

A domain name registry operator manages Top-Level Domains. They create domain extensions, set the rules for that domain and work with registrars to sell domain names to businesses and consumers. Nominet operates the registry for the UK Domain Family such as .co.uk, .uk and .org.uk and other gTLDs including .pharmacy, .bentley and .wales. 

You can become your own registry by securing your own TLD.

A domain name registrar is a commercial organisation that manages domain name registrations and sells domain names to end users. A registrar must be accredited by ICANN to sell generic TLDs like .com or .net. 

A registrar will often offer additional services needed to run a website such as hosting, email and support.

The application process is managed by the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the non-profit corporation responsible for controlling the gTLD namespace.

As a private-public partnership, ICANN is dedicated to preserving the operational stability of the internet; promoting competition, achieving broad representation of global internet communities and developing policy.

A registry service provider is an operator that helps registry owners manage their TLDs. They offer the infrastructure necessary to make sure the TLD stays online and can help with customer queries. 

When applying for a new TLD, it’s essential to appoint a registry service provider to help with the technical part of the application. Nominet falls into this category and offers these services to a variety of different TLDs, including .comcast, .bbc and .bentley. 

The new application window is expected to open in the second quarter of 2026. ICANN has announced that the baseline application fee for the next round will be $227,000, however specific types of application may incur additional costs.

The final application and evaluation fees will formally be provided in the New gTLD Program: Next Round Applicant Guidebook, which is expected to be completed in May 2025.

With the next application window expected to open in the second quarter of 2026, now is the time to start thinking about your internal processes, whether that’s considering your market sizing for new generic or geo opportunities, or thinking about how your new dot brand TLD will be used. 

We’d be happy to talk you through securing a new domain extension and how it will benefit your business. You can contact us on +44 (0) 330 236 9478 or email registryservices@nominet.uk.

You can find out more on the ICANN website and we’ll also publish articles as information is released.

Dot brand TLDs enable you to have your own dedicated online space for your brand or company name. Many leading organisations are already doing this and you can too.

Get in touch to find out how Nominet can support your dot brand or new gTLD application on +44 (0) 330 236 9478 or email registryservices@nominet.uk. 

Owning the legal rights to your brand name might not be enough to claim your TLD. For example, if your desired TLD is also a surname or generic word, others could put in a claim. For example, one reason Philips might have applied for its dot brand name could be to prevent it going to claims from individuals with the ‘Philips’ surname.

By submitting an application, all claims for your chosen TLD will be considered.

No, this isn’t possible as ICANN doesn’t accept reservations or pre-registrations based on trademarks.

There are no plans for ICANN to introduce a notification system, however ICANN will publish a list of applications received after the submission period closes.

A generic TLD is simply a dictionary word or abbreviation of three or more distinct characters. Generic TLDs have been classed as such for historical reasons and to distinguish them from country specific TLDs, such as .uk or .de.

There are specific technical rules that apply to all proposed gTLD strings. For example, an application for a TLD composed entirely of numbers would be rejected. Applicants for a gTLD that’s a geographic name must also meet additional requirements.

For more information, please see the Geo TLD FAQs section.

Currently there isn’t a process for reservations or pre-applications and there’s unlikely to be one. ICANN, the non-profit corporation responsible for generic TLD applications, doesn’t endorse third party organisations to do this. Be aware of organisations that claim they can.

A geo TLD is a form of generic domain tied to a geographical region; examples include .miami, .wales and .bayern. This is different from traditional country codes such as .uk, .de, and .ca, which are the two-letter identifiers reserved for countries, sovereign states, or dependent territories.

Any public or private organisation can apply for a geo TLD, however they’re likely to need the backing of the governments or public authorities in the area for the application to be authorised.

During the first round of applications, there were some specific rules identified when applying for a geographical generic name. ICANN ensured appropriate consideration was given to the interests of governments or public authorities in that place. Applications for country names and country codes (as per ISO 3166-1 standards) haven’t formed part of the generic TLD process to date.

However, the following are considered with support or non-objection from the relevant governments or public authorities:

• Capital cities
• City names
• Subnational place names
• UNESCO regions

By partnering with Nominet, you can expect a seamless transition, competitive pricing and a first-class customer experience collaborating with our expert team.

You can find out more about the benefits of working with Nominet on our ‘Partner with Nominet’ webpage.

When transitioning to Nominet, registered domains won’t experience any downtime. We’ll work with you on a detailed transition plan tailored to your needs. Any registry system downtime will be agreed and communicated to your channel in advance. 

We’re the registry for the .UK Domain Family and successfully launched .uk. We’ve been responsible for running one of the world’s largest domain name registries since 1996.

In the largest industry transition, Nominet moved 26 TLDs to its systems using a phased, meticulous approach.