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 Domain Management 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.
Organisations eligible for a .gov.uk domain name
You can only apply for a .gov.uk domain name if you’re a:
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central government department or agency - unless you qualify for an exemption
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non-departmental body - also known as an arm’s length body
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fire service
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county, borough, metropolitan or district council
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parish, town or community council
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neighbourhood or village council
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combined or unitary authority
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police and crime commissioner
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joint authority
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joint committee
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partnership body
If your organisation is not on this list and you think you may be eligible to apply, email domainmanagement@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk.
Other .gov.uk domains
Follow the appropriate application process if you need a domain name for:
Other government domain names
Some public sector organisations have a specific domain name that must be used.
| Organisation | Domains you must use |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | Use gov.uk |
| Scottish organisation | Use gov.scot |
| Welsh organisation | Use 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 | Use nhs.uk, nhs.wales or nhs.scot |
| Judiciary | Use judiciary.uk Email website.enquiries@judiciary.gsi.gov.uk |
| Police forces | Use police.uk Email contactcentre@college.pnn.police.uk Call 0800 496 3322 |
| Schools or universities | Use sch.uk or ac.uk |
| UK Parliament, Devolved National Parliaments and assemblies | Use .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.
Temporary .gov.uk domain names
If you request a domain name you know will be temporary, you must tell the Domain Management team when you apply and have a plan in place for when you want to stop using your .gov.uk domain.
Last updated 30 June 2022 + show all updates
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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.
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Adding the benefits of getting a .gov.uk domain
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Updated to include advantages of using a .gov.uk domain
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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).
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Adding information about government organisations that must use specific domain names
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First published.