.US registrations

[G_C]

Hello,

I always thought that .us domain names could be registered by anyone, regardless of their residence and nationality. However, while attempting to register a number of .us names a few minutes ago at GoDaddy, I discovered that I either had to be a US citizen or a permanent US resident.

Was I wrong to think that .US domain registrations were available for everyone? Is there a legitimate way around it? I really don't want to think that I am being locked out of such a rapidly growing section of the domain industry.

Thanks,
George

 

[Troubled1]

To my knowledge the .us names have always been restricted to United States residents and or businesses that are based in the U.S. hence the .us extension.

.us is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the United States of America, established in 1985. Registrants of .us domains must be United States citizens, residents, or organizations, or a foreign entity with a presence in the United States.

I found the above on a website explaining the restrictions on .us names. I hope this helps.

 

[dev99]

I thought they could be registered by anyone, regardless of any of the requirements posted above.

 

[.Mike]

You cannot reg .us names unless you are in the .us or have business dealings with it, however I have heard of people who tell a white lie or two and reg .us domains anyway - If you do take the risk you are risking the .us registry taking the domain off you sometime in the future (if you are discovered), its your choice...

I believe the .us registry has a cull every now and again.

:notme:

 

[Kate]

Every TLD has its own rules. Canada has similar terms. Some countries are even more restrictive. But over time the rules tend to get relaxed and we then witness landrushes (the most recent being .es).
Most of the time the way to get around this (legally) is to set up a company (which could be non-trading).
It is a fact that many .us registrants are in breach of Neustar requirements but be aware that they conduct spot check from time to time and you could lose your names.

 

[duda23]

i think that .us domains are strictly for us citizens only

 

[Carlton]

It is a restricted namespace similar to canada's (.ca). Oddly, I have purchased more non .US names from people outside the US than from within. Many of these names were distinctly American but originally registered by people from Australia, Korea, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Sweden. Which goes to show the intense global interest in US oriented domains.

 

[dongan]

it you are non-us, then if you/your business related to US can hold the names.

 

[G_C]

Well, looks like I've been locked out of the US market, then. Ah well, plenty of wish in the sea, I say.

 

[AdoptableDomains]

You have to have US nexus to register. That basically means citizenship, residence, or legal business. You can start a business in the US for very little cost, even if it's just a domain holding company. You would be required to file for a taxpayer ID number and would have to file a tax return for the business. There are hundreds of places you can search that will do all the filing for you for a few hundred dollars, but you can ususally do it for next to nothing yourself if you really want to.

Also in reality, many people don't and register anyway. They do take the chance of losing the domain to a US nexus holder who wants it though, as there is a nexus dispute policy (similar to UDRP) that can be enforced to take the name. If you don't have nexus at the time of filing, you would almost certainly lose the name and any investment you made in it.

 

[G_C]

You have to have US nexus to register. That basically means citizenship, residence, or legal business. You can start a business in the US for very little cost, even if it's just a domain holding company. You would be required to file for a taxpayer ID number and would have to file a tax return for the business. There are hundreds of places you can search that will do all the filing for you for a few hundred dollars, but you can ususally do it for next to nothing yourself if you really want to.

Also in reality, many people don't and register anyway. They do take the chance of losing the domain to a US nexus holder who wants it though, as there is a nexus dispute policy (similar to UDRP) that can be enforced to take the name. If you don't have nexus at the time of filing, you would almost certainly lose the name and any investment you made in it.

This is a slightly bizzare and totally off-topic question, but I wonder if one could get a visa to the United States on the basis of such a small domain holding company?