Knowledgebase

All applicants applying for a .ie domain name who are not situated in the 32 counties of Ireland, must demonstrate a real and substantive connection with Ireland (with the exception of those applying by means of Community Trademark).

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.
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), or solicitor(s) confirming the applicants trade with Ireland.


Category 1: Personal Name

As of the 31st October 2007 individuals can register their own personal name as a .ie domain name. Please note that it is not possible for somebody who is neither an Irish/Northern Irish citizen or resident, to register a .ie domain under the class Natural Person.

Requirements:

The applicant must provide documentary evidence of the applicant's legal name: e.g., a copy of the applicant's passport or birth certificate.

If you are based in the Republic of Ireland:

Irish passport
Irish driver's licence
Irish revenue / social welfare document showing PPS number
Irish birth certificate
Irish marriage certificate
Irish utility bill (e.g.: NTL, Chorus, SKY, ESB, Airtricity, Bord Gais, Eircom, Vodafone, O2, Meteor, 3 - bill pay phones only)

If you are based in Northern Ireland:

UK driver's licence with Northern Ireland address
HM Revenue & Customs / Northern Ireland Social Security Agency document showing National Insurance number
Northern Ireland birth certificate
Northern Ireland marriage certificate
Northern Ireland utility bill (e.g.: NTL, Chorus, SKY, UTV Internet, NIE, Airtricity, British Gas, BT, Vodafone, O2, 3, T-Mobile, Orange, BT - bill pay phones only)

Domain Options:

Personal names must consist of one of the following formats:


Johnsmith.ie     [first name / surname]
Johnpaulsmith.ie     [first name / middlename / surname]
John-smith.ie     [first name / - / surname]
John-paul-smith.ie     [first name / - / middlename / - / surname]
Johnpsmith.ie     [first name / middle initial / surname]
John-p-smith.ie     [first name / - / middle initial / - / surname]
Jsmith.ie     [first initial / surname]
Jpsmith.ie     [first initial / middle initial / surname]
Jp-smith.ie     [first initial / middle initial / - / surname]
J-smith.ie     [first initial / - / surname]
J-p-smith.ie     [first initial / - / middle initial / - / surname]
Paulsmith.ie     [middlename / surname]
Paul-smith.ie     [middlename / - / surname]
Psmith.ie     [middle initial / surname]
P-smith.ie     [middle initial / - / surname]

Double-barrel name:

The same policy applies regarding double-barrel names. That is, any documentation provided that supports the double-barrel name, or a variation of both or either surname, can be accepted. For example:


JohnSmithMurphy.ie     [first name / surname]
Johnpaulsmithmurphy.ie     [first name / middlename /surname]
JohnSmith-Murphy.ie     [first name / - /surname]

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Category 2: Corporate Name

An incorporated company can register a domain name to reflect their corporate name. A company can register multiple different 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.

Requirements:

A company applying under this category need only include their company number in the application.
If the company is incorporated outside of Ireland, specifically UK or US, the company number must be included in the application. All applicants from any other country must submit a copy of the company's certificate of incorporation.

Domain Options:

An applicant can add words to their registered company name to form a domain name.
An applicant can register domain names that have a reasonable connection with their business. In this case the IEDR deems a reasonable connection to be a product or service of the company.*
An abbreviation of the corporate name may be used instead of the full corporate name.

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Category 3: Registered Trademark Name

Any applicant with a registered Trademark is eligible to apply under this category.

Requirements:

Irish, UK, US and Community trademarks need only supply their Trademark Number in the application.
For any other country Trademark a copy of the Trademark Certificate must be supplied.
Where the application is made on the basis of a pending Trademark application the Registry will require a copy of the Trademark application form and official filing receipt, along with a letter from the Trademark holder.
Where the applicant is a licensed user of the Trademark, the applicant must provide a signed letter on headed paper from the Trademark holder authorising the applicant to register and hold the corresponding .ie domain.

Domain Options:

The proposed domain name must correspond closely with the Trademark, but may include plurals, descriptors, or non-descriptive elements such as numbers or letters and may also differ in respect of signs, symbols or punctuation.

Important Note:

A CTM (Community Trademark) provides a connection to Ireland automatically.
A WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation) may include Ireland (IE) in it's trademark listing, in which case, it will also serve as a connection to Ireland.
All other Trademarks must also provide a connection to Ireland in order to be approved.

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Category 4: Registered Business Name

A Sole Trader, Company or Unincorporated Association who hold a registered business name can apply for a domain name under this category. (Note: If you trade under a name other than your own name, you must register it as a business with the CRO).

Requirements:

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

Unless:

The RBN cannot be confirmed online. If the applicant holds a copy of the registered business name certificate or a copy of all pages of the application form stamped by the Companies Registration Office, these documents can be faxed to the Registry.
The RBN has been recently applied for. Applications will be accepted if the applicant can provide us with a copy of their customer receipt from the Companies Registrations Office. Alternatively they can provide us with the Submission Number printed on the receipt, which also must be verifiable online to be accepted.
The IEDR is aware that applicants within Northern Ireland do not have to register business names and in such instances the Registry may accept a VAT number or 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 Options:

An applicant can add words to their RBN to form a domain name.
An applicant can register domain names that have a reasonable connection with their business. In this case the IEDR deems a reasonable connection to be a product or service of the registered business.
An abbreviation of the RBN may be used instead of the full business name.

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Category 5: State Agency Name

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. Applicants may apply for the English and Irish version of their name. A state agency may apply for a domain name to reflect the name of a project, special event, or joint venture where at least one of the parties involved is a state agency.

Requirements:

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

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Category 6: Publication Name

A Sole Trader, Company, Unincorporated Association, State Agency or Educational Institution that publishes or writes periodicals, magazines, trade journals, Ezines or books is eligible to apply for a domain name in this category.

Requirements:

A faxed copy of the page from the publication where the applicant is stated as the writer or publisher of the publication.
If the publication does not clearly show that the applicant is the writer or publisher of the publication then the applicant must provide a signed letter on headed paper from an Irish 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 this.
In the case of a Website Publication or Ezine, links to the publication can be entered in the application or printouts of Website/Ezine can be faxed to us.

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Category 7: Educational Institution Name

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

Requirements:

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.

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Category 8: Politician's Name

A natural person who is the President of Ireland, a sitting (already elected) or standing (certificate showing that he/she is an official candidate) politician at National (32 counties) or European level, which can be verified by an election officer or as is the case in Northern Ireland, a returning officer, or a person who is officially contesting any of the above offices or seats in the immediate run up to an election is eligible to apply for a domain name in this category. (Any politician representing the 32 counties - e.g.: MEP, TD, or Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.)

Any domain holder with a name in this category who ceases to be a sitting politician, or who fails to be elected, must have their domain name de-activated after due notice.

Requirements:

A signed letter, on official letterhead, from the politician confirming their eligibility to register a domain name in this category.

Domain Options:

Politician's Name may be registered in either one of the following formats: seanmuldoon.ie (personal name without title), smuldoon.ie (initial with surname) or seanmuldoontd.ie or seanmuldoonmep.ie (personal name with politician title).

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Category 9: Unincorporated Association Name

An unincorporated association that is not legally obliged to have a registered business name (club or society) is entitled to register a domain name in this category.

Requirements:



A self issued letter from the applicant on the association's letterhead stating that they are an Unincorporated Association and require the domain name to reflect their organisation name. Sample Letter: We 'Association Name' confirm that we are an unincorporated association and request the domain name .ie to reflect our association name.

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Category 10: Personal Trading Name

Sole Traders, such as Authors, Designers, Entertainers, Artists, Photographers, Journalists etc, trading in Ireland under their Personal Names are eligible to apply for a domain name in this category.

For clarification purposes this new domain name category is only available to sole traders trading under their own personal trading name.

Requirements:

A VAT number.
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, relevant body/association or solicitor(s) confirming that the person (sole trader) is currently trading in Ireland under their own personal name.
High quality brochure/promotional material or other demonstration or documentation of significant investment in the use of the personal trading name.
Any other supporting documentation that the Registry deems acceptable.

Domain Options:

The names acceptable under this category are the full true names of sole traders (e.g: johnsmith.ie) *or* the true surname only of the sole trader (e.g. smith.ie). To support an application under this category, an applicant must submit some information to show that they are a sole trader trading under their own name, such as a registered VAT number, an accountant's letter, or similar.

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Category 11: Discretionary Name

Requirements:

NB: The discretionary name category should only be used in cases where the domain name application does not fall within any of the other pre-defined categories.

A detailed letter from the applicant outlining their claim on the proposed domain name. If the applicant is a registered company or has a registered business name, please supply the relevant number within the supporting letter.
Where a company or a business applies for a name that relates to a product or service that is not yet in the public domain, the applicant must submit information showing that they have invested significant time, effort, or resources in the product or service that directly relates to the proposed domain name.
Where the domain name relates to a proposed non-commercial project, information showing that the applicant has invested significant time, effort, or resources in a project that directly relates to the proposed domain name.
High quality brochure/promotional material or other demonstration of significant investment in the project, expo, or event may be sufficient.
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 applicants claim on the proposed domain name.
Where the applicant is a natural person: Together with information showing their claim to the proposed domain name, non-trading individuals applying under the discretionary name category must provide adequate documentary evidence confirming their identity. Acceptable documentation would include a copy of the applicant's passport, birth certificate, driver's license or Irish revenue/social welfare document showing PPS number.
Where the applicant is a sole trader: Documentation to show that the applicant is trading in Ireland. A VAT number 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.