I want to register a new .ee domain. What information do I need to provide to the registrar?
The information required for domain registration is specified in section 4.1.1 of the domain rules, which states that the following must be provided to the registrar during registration:
a) the domain name being applied for,
b) the domain names and IP addresses of at least two name servers,
c) the name, Estonian personal identification code, residential address, phone number, and email address of the administrative contact,
d) the name, registry or personal identification code (or date of birth if unavailable), address, phone number, and email address of the technical contact,
e) for legal persons: the name, registered address, registry code, phone number and fax number (if available), and email address,
f) for natural persons: first name(s), surname, personal identification code (or date of birth if unavailable), postal address, phone number, and email address.
Additionally, if the domain is being registered by a representative (administrative contact) on behalf of the registrant, they must have either written authorization or legal authority under Estonian law to represent the registrant.
Are there any restrictions on domain name selection?
Yes, the domain rules define several restrictions on the format of a domain name. A domain name may contain only numbers (0–9), hyphens, and letters. The minimum length is 2 characters, and the maximum is 63 characters. Domain names are case-insensitive and may not begin or end with a hyphen, nor contain hyphens simultaneously in the third and fourth character positions.
Furthermore, section 6.1.5 of the domain rules allows the Estonian Internet Foundation (EIS) to deny registration or delete a domain if it violates public order, generally accepted moral standards, or may mislead the public.
Who is a registrar?
A registrar is a company or organization authorized by the Estonian Internet Foundation to provide domain registration services. Registrars are typically internet service and hosting providers, but anyone meeting the requirements can become an accredited registrar.
Who is a registrant?
A registrant is a person or organization in whose name a domain is registered. The registrant can be a natural or legal person.
Who is the registry?
The Estonian Internet Foundation (EIS) is the registry for .ee domains.
What registration services can be performed through a registrar?
According to domain rules, there are seven domain registration services available via registrars:
- Domain name registration
- Deletion of registration
- Renewal of registration
- Transfer of domain name
- Updating contact information
- Managing name server records
- Changing the registrar
I want to register another domain under my company and one under my own name. Is that possible?
Yes, this is possible. Due to the liberalization of the rules, both companies and individuals can now register an unlimited number of domains.
How much does a domain cost?
The annual domain registration price is determined by the registrar. The registry sets a base registration fee that applies equally to all registrars. The final price is determined by market competition, so it may be lower, equal to, or higher than the base fee.
Will domain registration under pri.ee also become paid?
Yes, registration under all public domains (including pri.ee) will be aligned with the pricing structure of second-level domains (e.g., domainname.ee). Additionally, individuals can now also register second-level domain names.
I already have a .ee domain. What should I do?
All .ee domain registrants who wish to keep their domains must re-register them with a chosen registrar during the transition period. This applies to domains registered before the new domain rules came into force.
Who can re-register existing domains?
An existing domain can only be re-registered by a representative authorized by the organization or individual who registered the domain under the previous rules (EENet). The authorization must be based on Estonian law or a written power of attorney from the registrant.
How long is the transition period, and when does it start?
The transition period begins when the new rules come into effect and lasts for 6 months, i.e., until January 5, 2011.
What if my service provider is not an accredited registrar of the Estonian Internet Foundation?
To access .ee domain services—such as registration, re-registration, renewal, and data changes—you must choose an accredited registrar. Other services, like email or web hosting, do not require the provider to be EIS-accredited and can be used at your discretion.
I haven’t re-registered my domain yet, but I need to change the name servers. Is that possible?
First, you must choose a registrar and re-register the domain. Only then can you change name servers and other domain data.
What happens to a domain name registered to a legal entity that has been deleted from the commercial register?
If the rightfully entitled person no longer exists, the domain will be deleted and become available for re-registration on a “first come, first served” basis after the transition period ends. Re-registration under the same name is only possible by the legal entity to whom the domain was transferred before the entity was removed from the register.
Is the same amount of information required when re-registering a domain as when registering a new one?
Yes, the new rules require more information than before, and existing registry data may be outdated. Therefore, all domain data must be resubmitted during re-registration.
What happens to domains that are not re-registered during the transition period?
At the end of the transition period, the new domain system takes effect. All domains must be registered through registrars. If any domains are not re-registered, EIS will initiate deletion procedures, which include:
- A notice in the WHOIS database marking the domain as expired and sending emails to known contacts, giving an additional 30 days to re-register. During this period, the domain remains active. The 30-day expiration period ends on February 4, 2011.
- If the domain is still not re-registered, it will be suspended, and name server records will be blocked, rendering the domain (e.g., website or email) inaccessible. This suspension period lasts 60 days, during which the registrant can still contact EIS to re-register. This status is visible in the WHOIS database on the EIS website. The 60-day suspension ends on April 5, 2011.
- If no contact is made during the suspension period and the domain is not re-registered, it will be deleted from the registry and enter a quarantine phase lasting up to 24 hours. After that, the domain will be freely available for registration by the first qualified applicant on a “first come, first served” basis.
