A Quick Guide to the Requirements of .IE Domains

.ie domains

As of December 2018, there are 4.1 billion internet users, which is more than half of the world’s population. This statistic has encouraged several businesses and individuals to build their online presence to reach more people with their marketing messages.

Creating and launching a website would be a great place to start when trying to establish your online presence. You will need a unique identity on the internet — a domain name.

A domain name is a readable version of a website’s IP address. It is synonymous with your physical home/work address. An excellent example of a domain name is www.google.com.

The last part of a web address is referred to as a domain extension. For example, the “IE” in www.gov.ie is the domain extension. To get a web address, you need to register a domain name with ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) through a registrar like register.ie.

This guide will help you learn more about the requirements of .ie domains names.

What Is a .IE Domain?

IE is Ireland’s official internet country code. Having a .ie web address tells internet users across the world that you’re either Irish or an Irish brand. Also, it informs the people of Ireland that you are local.

According to Irish Tech News, there’s an average of 108 .ie domains registered every day. This number is expected to grow over the next few years.

How to Register .IE Domains

Registering a domain name is cheap and easy. It’s imperative that you choose a memorable and easy-to-type domain name for your website. Conduct an online search to find out whether the web address you want is available for registration.

You will have to pay a registration fee to get a domain name.

Some web hosts will help you register a domain name for your site, but you will have to cater for the registrar fees. It’s advisable, however, to register your web address directly with a domain name registrar.

Registration Requirements

You need to demonstrate a real connection to the Republic of Ireland in the following ways:

  • As an Irish resident, you can provide proof of residency, such as a letter from Revenue or an official bank statement.
  • As an Irish citizen who wishes to acquire .ie domains, you might have to share images of your PPS card, birth certificate, driving license, or passport.
  • As a company, you will have to provide your company’s registration number, a VAT number, or a Registered Business Name to a .IE domain name registrar.
  • If your company isn’t registered in Ireland, you will have to show your trading relations with clients in Ireland. Use evidence such as invoices, published marketing material, and press releases to prove that you trade (or plan to trade) with Ireland.

At register.ie, you can register an .ie web address under these categories:

Personal Name

To apply for a domain name in this category, you have to provide a copy of your birth certificate, driving license, or passport. Personal names can only consist of your initials and a number of your choice. As an example, Mills Conor could apply to register MC77.ie.

Corporate Name

If you need a web address for your incorporated company, you can register a .ie domain, as long as you can provide your company number. Companies incorporated outside of Ireland are required to submit copies of their Certificate of Corporation.

Registered Trademark Name

Submit a copy of your Trademark certificate to register a .ie domain that corresponds closely with your Trademark. Your trademark may include non-descriptive elements, descriptors, or plurals.

Registered Business Name

An .ie domain name registrar will require you to provide your Registered Business Name (RNB). You can add letters to your RNB to form a desirable domain name, as long as the domain name bears a verifiable connection with your business.

State Agency Name

You can apply for .ie domain names to reflect the name of a joint venture, special event, or a project involving at least one state agency —without providing any documentation.

Publication Name

As an applicant under this category, you must prove that you’re the owner of a specific publication. You can provide a printed copy of a page bearing your name as the publisher.

School Name

Education institutions are entitled to register a .ie domain name in this category without providing documentation. However, as an applicant, you need to be recognized by the Department of Education as a school.

Politicians’ Name

A standing (an official candidate) or sitting (already elected) politician at the European or National level, verified by an election officer in Ireland, is eligible for a .ie domain name.

You can register for a domain name under this category in the formats: politiciantd.ie (personal name with title) or politician.ie (personal name without politician title).

Unincorporated Association Name

If you don’t have a registered business name, you can acquire a domain name in this category. All you need is a letter stating that you are an Unincorporated Association that wants the domain name to reflect your organization’s name.

Personal Trading Name

You are eligible to register an .ie web address if you’re a solo trader in Ireland. Examples of solo traders may include authors, entertainers, photographers, journalists, and artists.

To get a domain name in this category, you should provide your registrar with a letter from an Irish firm of chartered accountants with the letterhead displaying the tax identification number.

Alternatively, your VAT number will suffice.

The proposed domain name should consist of your full name. For example, Anthony Gregor may apply for anthonygregor.ie.

Discretionary Name

You need to provide a detailed and signed letter from a firm of tax consultants, registered auditor, chartered accountants, or a bank manager to claim a web address in this category.

Get a .ie Web Address

A domain name is vital to the mission of your company. You may still sell your products or services globally, but consumers need to know that you’re from Ireland or that you’re based in Ireland.

Take a step in the right direction by registering a captivating web address today.  Be sure to find and use .ie domains name registrar who provides quality services and strives for optimal customer satisfaction.

Contact us to learn more about domain names and how you can get them for your website.