Guidance

Check if your organisation can get a .gov.uk domain name

Find out if your organisation is eligible for a .gov.uk domain name and what to do if it’s not.

Domain names are a valuable asset and require a long-term financial and operational commitment. The Protecting Public Sector Domains Team at the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) assigns approved .gov.uk domain names on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Most public sector organisations must use a .gov.uk or other government domain name for their websites, emails and services. But there are circumstances when your organisation can get non-government domain names.

!! Your organisation must have a valid reason for applying for a .gov.uk domain name even if it meets the eligibility criteria. 

Check if your organisation needs a .gov.uk domain 

Before you apply for a .gov.uk domain name you follow these steps:

  1. Check if your organisation is eligible for a .gov.uk domain name.

  2. Check if you should use an existing .gov.uk subdomain from the Government Digital Service (GDS).

  3. Find out if you need an exemption from GDS to use the domain you want.

  4. Justify why you need a new.gov.uk if your organisation already has a third-level .gov.uk domain.

Organisations eligible for a .gov.uk domain name

Only the following organisations can apply for a .gov.uk domain name:

  • central government departments or agencies

  • non-departmental bodies - also known as an arm’s length body

  • fire services

  • county, borough, metropolitan or district councils

  • parish, town or community councils

  • neighbourhood or village councils

  • combined or unitary authorities

  • police and crime commissioners

  • joint authorities

  • joint committees

  • partnership bodies

  • organisations representing a group of public sector bodies

  • organisations representing a profession across public sector bodies

If you’re a parish council, you can ask for support getting a .gov.uk domain name by emailing parish.helper@domains.gov.uk for more information.

If your organisation is not on this list and you think you may be eligible to apply, email domainmanagement@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk.

Some public sector organisations have a specific domain name that must be used.

Organisation type or location Domains you must use
Northern Ireland gov.uk
Scotland gov.scot
Wales llyw.cymru or gov.wales
UK Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence Use mod.uk and mil.uk

Email hostmaster@mod.uk

Call 01225 81 3657
NHS nhs.uk, nhs.wales or nhs.scot
Judiciary judiciary.uk

Email website.enquiries@judiciary.gsi.gov.uk
Police forces police.uk

Email contactcentre@college.pnn.police.uk

Call 0800 496 3322
Schools or universities sch.uk or ac.uk
UK Parliament, Devolved National Parliaments and assemblies .parliament.uk

Email DigitalServiceHRandDevelopment@parliament.uk

Call 0207 219 0277

Geographic and geopolitical areas that have their own country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) must not use the .gov.uk domain. For example, you should use .im for the Isle of Man or .gi for Gibraltar.

When to use an existing GDS sub-domain of .gov.uk 

Before applying a .gov.uk domain name, you should check if there is a sub-domain already available to suit your needs.

For example, you must use:

When you might need an exemption before applying for a .gov.uk domain

If you’re from a central government organisation or Arms Length Body (ALB) and you plan to build a website using your .gov.uk domain name, you must first get an exemption from using the GOV.UK website

If your organisation already has a third-level .gov.uk domain

If your organisation already has one or more third-level .gov.uk domains you must:

  • provide a business justification for having another third-level .gov.uk domain

  • demonstrate that another third-level .gov.uk domain will not cause confusion to users

The Domains Team will work constructively with applicants to find the most appropriate type of domain name for their needs. In many cases it’s better to create a subdomain of an existing .gov.uk domain.

Published 7 October 2019
Last updated 6 March 2024 + show all updates
  1. Change note: We have added 2 more organisation types that are eligible for domains: 1\. Organisations representing a group of public sector bodies 2\. Organisations representing a profession across public sector bodies. We have also added more detail about when it’s appropriate to use an existing .gov.uk subdomain managed by GDS, when you might need an exemption from publishing on GOV.UK and what to consider if your organisation already has third level .gov.uk domains.

  2. The section 'Why use a .gov.uk domain' has been moved to its separate page titled 'Benefits of getting a .gov.uk domain'. We have also updated contact details for NHS and added domains that schools, universities and organisations in Northern Ireland should use into the table.

  3. Adding the benefits of getting a .gov.uk domain

  4. Updated to include advantages of using a .gov.uk domain

  5. The Domain Management team has now moved to the Central Digital and Data Office. This update removes any references to the Government Digital Service (GDS).

  6. Adding information about government organisations that must use specific domain names

  7. First published.

  1. Step 1 Check if your organisation can apply

  2. Step 2 Identify a registrant for your .gov.uk domain name

    If your organisation is eligible for a .gov.uk domain name, you must identify a registrant who is going to be responsible for the domain and then choose a .gov.uk Approved Registrar.

    1. Identify a registrant for your .gov.uk domain name
    2. Choose a .gov.uk Approved Registrar
  3. Step 3 Choose your domain name

  4. Step 4 Apply for your domain name

  5. Step 5 Appeal your rejected domain name application

  6. Step 6 Use your domain name

    Registrants must follow the Cabinet Office guidelines once their .gov.uk domain is live, or Cabinet Office will withdraw it. For example, registrants must keep contact details up to date.

    1. Get started with your .gov.uk domain name
    2. Keep your domain name secure
  7. Step 7 Manage your domain name

    Registrants or their Technical Points of Contact can make changes to a .gov.uk domain name.

    1. Renew your domain name
    2. Create and manage .gov.uk subdomains
    3. Modify or transfer your domain name

    If your organisation no longer needs a domain name, you must take steps to protect it.

    1. Stop using your domain name
    2. What to do if your domain is compromised