Registering a .us domain

webbom · 08-12-2005, 09:01 AM

Hello, I have a question.

I want to buy some .us domains but I'm not from US, is that posible. I have read that you need to be an US citizen to register a .us domain.

What will happen if I do register a .us domain?

Sohil · 08-12-2005, 09:26 AM

If you aren't a US Citizen or permanent resident then you can't register a .us domain. You could get into serious trouble if you, so if I were you I'd avoid it.

Adyum · 08-12-2005, 09:46 AM

Just register what your country is. AKA: co.uk or whatever country you live in. They have them for a lot of countries, or you could just go for .com/.net. But as it has been said you could get in alot of trouble and I dont think that it would be worth it

AdoptableDomains · 08-12-2005, 10:02 PM

You can legally register names as a non-citizen if you have "nexus" with the US. If you don't operate or do business here (in a legal sense), you risk losing any domains you register in a nexus dispute. However, you can get a taxpayer ID and register a business for about $200-$300 in most states, which would give you nexus. The catch is, you would also be subject to US law and probably have to pay income taxes and file a tax return if you make any money.

More info:
Nexus Requirements
Taxpayer ID

Also search "Incoporate a business" for companies that can help you with filings. However, it can be done by yourself at most state Secretary of State websites.

webbom · 08-14-2005, 08:46 AM

Many thanks, this is really good info

LEEnoble · 08-14-2005, 09:29 AM

I live in the UK and I've had a .us domain for 2 years now! I bought it from ev1servers without needing any ID of being a US citizen.

Sohil · 08-14-2005, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEEnoble

I live in the UK and I've had a .us domain for 2 years now! I bought it from ev1servers without needing any ID of being a US citizen.

Well of course, you don't need any ID when you register it.

LEEnoble · 08-14-2005, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sohil

Well of course, you don't need any ID when you register it.

Same when I renewed it

webbom · 08-15-2005, 04:38 PM

I guess the problem will be if they ever detect that I'm not a US citizen or resident by a spot check

sdsinc · 08-15-2005, 08:11 PM

It is stated in Neustar's registrar agreement that they may perform spot checks...
If you are looking to invest heavily in .US I would suggest to set up a US company for the purpose of holding names.

domainprince · 08-17-2005, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdoptableDomains

You can legally register names as a non-citizen if you have "nexus" with the US.

What is "nexus" ?

AdoptableDomains · 08-17-2005, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by domainprince

What is "nexus" ?

"Nexus" basically means "a bona fide presence" or a legal "connection" to the US as listed below.

Quote:

Registrants in the usTLD must be either:

1.A natural person (i) who is a United States citizen, (ii) who is a permanent resident of the United States of America or any of its possessions or erritories, or (iii) whose primary place of domicile is in the United States of America or any of its possessions [Nexus Category 1],

2.A United States entity or organization that is (i) incorporated within one of the fifty (50) U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or any of the United States possessions or territories, or (ii) organized or otherwise constituted under the laws of a state of the United States of America, the District of Columbia or any of its possessions or territories (including a federal, state, or
local government of the United States or a political subdivision thereof, and non-commercial organizations based in the United States) [Nexus Category 2], or

3.A foreign entity or organization that has a bona fide presence in the United States of America or any of its possessions or territories [Nexus Category 3].

Prospective Registrants will certify that they have a “bona fide presence in the United States” on the basis of real and substantial lawful connections with, or lawful activities in, the United States of America. This requirement is intended to ensure that only those individuals or organizations that have a substantive lawful connection to the United States are permitted to register for usTLD domain names.

It shall be a continuing requirement that all usTLD domain name Registrants remain in compliance with Nexus. To implement the Nexus requirement, NeuStar will:

·Require that Registrars certify that they enforce the Nexus requirement upon their Registrants, and that Registrars require Registrants to certify that they meet the Nexus requirement.

·Conduct a scan of selected registration request information.

·Conduct “spot checks” on Registrant information.

If you really read it to the letter of the policy, a natural US Citizen who no longer a resident doesn't qualify to register or hold a .us name. I really hadn't even noticed that until now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by webbom

I guess the problem will be if they ever detect that I'm not a US citizen or resident by a spot check

I would think if they found no US address or phone number it would be questionable. Using them falsely is also against the policy, so the only real way to be safe as a non-citizen is to have a US filed corportation, partnership, or LLC to own the domain.

08-12-2005, 09:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
webbom NamePros Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 38 5.00 NP$ (Donate)	Registering a .us domain Hello, I have a question. I want to buy some .us domains but I'm not from US, is that posible. I have read that you need to be an US citizen to register a .us domain. What will happen if I do register a .us domain?

08-12-2005, 09:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sohil Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,332 1,884.80 NP$ (Donate)	If you aren't a US Citizen or permanent resident then you can't register a .us domain. You could get into serious trouble if you, so if I were you I'd avoid it. __________________ •• PolurNET Communications LLC =Avoid the Freeze...Enjoy the Breeze!=

08-12-2005, 10:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
AdoptableDomains Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 4,017 2,008.11 NP$ (Donate)	You can legally register names as a non-citizen if you have "nexus" with the US. If you don't operate or do business here (in a legal sense), you risk losing any domains you register in a nexus dispute. However, you can get a taxpayer ID and register a business for about $200-$300 in most states, which would give you nexus. The catch is, you would also be subject to US law and probably have to pay income taxes and file a tax return if you make any money. More info: Nexus Requirements Taxpayer ID Also search "Incoporate a business" for companies that can help you with filings. However, it can be done by yourself at most state Secretary of State websites. __________________ AdoptableDomains.com ~~~~~Finding Good Homes for Good Names~~~~~ FuelPrices.mobi - Fish.us - ManhattanNewYork.net - Salesmen.info - SoundSystems.org Dickering.com - JobPlacement.biz - LotteryTickets.ws - Deleted.cc - Names.im - MP3.hn Last edited by AdoptableDomains; 08-12-2005 at 10:13 PM.

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08-12-2005, 09:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
Adyum NamePros Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 30 0.00 NP$ (Donate)	Just register what your country is. AKA: co.uk or whatever country you live in. They have them for a lot of countries, or you could just go for .com/.net. But as it has been said you could get in alot of trouble and I dont think that it would be worth it

08-14-2005, 08:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
webbom NamePros Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 38 5.00 NP$ (Donate)	Many thanks, this is really good info

08-14-2005, 09:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
LEEnoble NamePros Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: England, UK Posts: 108 64.00 NP$ (Donate)	I live in the UK and I've had a .us domain for 2 years now! I bought it from ev1servers without needing any ID of being a US citizen.

08-15-2005, 04:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
webbom NamePros Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 38 5.00 NP$ (Donate)	I guess the problem will be if they ever detect that I'm not a US citizen or resident by a spot check

08-15-2005, 08:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
sdsinc Domains my Dominion Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Web 1.0 Posts: 6,285 1,095.94 NP$ (Donate)	It is stated in Neustar's registrar agreement that they may perform spot checks... If you are looking to invest heavily in .US I would suggest to set up a US company for the purpose of holding names.

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