The information provided here is intended to assist clients in their application for an IE domain. It does not provide any guarantee that your application will be eligible.

It is based upon our extensive experience registering Irish domains for our clients and our interpretation of the IEDR rules and policy documents.

The IEDR is the ultimate authority so if you are unsure please contact them directly.

Am I eligible to register a .IE domain?

The registration of .IE domains is controlled by the IEDR (IE Domain Registry). To register a .IE domain name, you must fall under one of the following categories:

• You live in the Republic of Ireland.
• You can demonstrate a Real and Substantive Connection with Ireland (with the exception of those applying with a registered Community Trademark). Normally this would mean that you can prove that you are trading actively in Ireland or with Irish companies.

There are several categories of applicant. Each category has specific restrictions and requires certain proof that you are eligible.

To register a .IE domain name, you must first decide which category you are eligible under.

Body Corporate (registered company)

An Incorporated Company can register a domain name to reflect their corporate name.

For example, if your company name was Joe Murphy Tyres Ltd, you could register any of the following domain names:

murphy.ie
murphytyres.ie
joemurphy.ie
joemurphytyres.ie
joemurphytyresltd.ie

You may also append or prepend word(s) to the domain name, such as location or something describing your business.

A Company can register multiple domain names in this category. Only a company can have a corporate name and therefore only a company can register a domain name in this category.

Normally a Company applying under this category need only include their company number in the application. If you are unsure of your company number you may verify it on the Company Registration Office's site .

If the company is incorporated outside of Ireland, specifically UK or US, the company number must be included in the application and a copy of the company's certificate of incorporation should be supplied.

Sole Trader/Unincorporated Association/Registered Trade Mark Name

A Sole Trader, Company or Unincorporated Association who hold a registered business name can apply for a domain name under this category.

The applicant applying under this category need only include the RBN (Registered Business Number) Number in the application.

The IEDR knows that applicants from Northern Ireland do not have to register business names and will accept a signed letter on headed paper from an bank manager, firm of chartered accountant(s), registered auditor(s), tax consultant(s), where the tax advisor identification number is displayed on the letterhead, or solicitor(s) confirming that the company is currently trading, or has serious intention and commitment to trade shortly, under the business name that is specified. The letter must state the name of the company and that they are trading, or intend to trade, under the business name in question

Domain name restrictions:

An applicant can add words to their registered business name to form a domain name.

An applicant can register domain names that have a reasonable connection with their business, for example a product or service of the business.

An abbreviation of the registered business name may be used instead of the full business name.

Natural Person

As of 31 October 2007 the IEDR policy on personal names has changed.

If you wish to register your name eg. if your name was John Murphy and you wanted to register johnmurphy.ie you will need to provide proof of ID.

We recommend reading our blog entries for further details

School/Educational Institution

A primary or secondary level school or other recognised educational institution is entitled to register a domain in this category.

No documentation will be required for applicants applying under this category if the applicant is recognised by the Department of Education as an Educational Institution.

Alternatively, a self-issued letter on the Educational Institution's letterhead will suffice.

Statutory Body/Constitutional Body

A body, person, entity or office established pursuant to Bunreacht na h-Eireann, or an Act of Parliament, Secondary Legislation or established by the Northern Ireland Assembly, any other state body, agency or department, including state hospitals, semi-state bodies, VEC's and local authorities is eligible to apply for a domain name which reflects their name.

No documentation will be required for applicants applying under this category providing that we can verify the applicant is a Statutory Body.

Discretionary Applicant

Where you do not fall under any of the other categories, but believe you have a case for registering an IE domain, you may apply on the basis of the IEDR’s discretion.

Requirements:

A signed letter on headed paper from a bank manager, firm of chartered accountant(s), registered auditor(s), tax consultant(s), where the tax advisor identification number is displayed on the letterhead, or relevant professional body/association or solicitor(s) confirming the applicant’s eligibility and claim on the proposed domain name.

High quality brochure/promotional material or other demonstration of significant investment in the project, expo, or event may be sufficient.

Where the applicant is a natural person: The applicant must provide adequate documentary evidence of a correspondence address within the 32 counties of Ireland (the island of Ireland) and the applicant's legal name.

Acceptable documentation would include a copy of the applicant's passport, birth certificate or citizenship certificate.

Where the applicant is a sole trader:

Documentation to show that the applicant is trading in Ireland.

A copy of a VAT registration certificate or a signed letter on headed paper from an Irish bank manager, firm of chartered accountant(s), registered auditor(s), tax consultant(s), where the tax advisor identification number is displayed on the letterhead, or solicitor(s) confirming that the person (sole trader) is currently trading in Ireland.

Any other supporting documentation that the Registry deems acceptable.

Information supporting the "reasonable connection" maybe requested at the discretion of the IEDR.

Examples of acceptable Documentation demonstrating substantial trade or commercial activity within Ireland are as follows: Copies of invoices (showing trade to or from Ireland), High-quality brochures showing a significant intention to trade in Ireland.

For further information please feel free to consult the IEDR's site.