Irish .ie domain applications operate in a different way to the registration of other domain names such as .com or .net domains. Irish .ie domain names are awarded by IEDR (Irish Domain Registry) only after you have provided adequate evidence that you are entitled to the domain name that you are applying for.

Copies of invoices (showing trade to or from Ireland), high-quality brochures showing a significant intention to trade in Ireland.

Note that in all cases the domain name you apply for will remain publicly available .ie domains may be registered in any of the following categories:

• Personal Name (see IEDR Press Release)
• Corporate Name
• Registered Trade Mark Name
• Registered Business Name
• State Agency Name
• Publication Name
• Educational Institution Name
• Politician's Name
• Unincorporated Association Name
• Personal Trading Name
• Discretionary Name

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

The registration of personal domain names are open to all individuals who can authenticate a claim to the domain name and who have a real and substantive connection to the island of Ireland. To authenticate a claim, a copy of an identification document is required, for example an Irish utility bill or driving licence. (see IEDR Press Release)

If you are based in the republic:

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

If you are based in Northern Ireland:

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

Personal names can only be in one of the following formats:-

Johndavis.ie	[first name surname]
Johnpauldavis.ie	[first name middlename surname]
John-davis.ie	[first name - surname]
John-paul-davis.ie	[first name - middlename - surname]
Johnpdavis.ie	[first name middle initial surname]
John-p-davis.ie	[first name - middle initial - surname]
Jdavis.ie	[first initial surname]
Jpdavis.ie	[first initial middle initial surname]
Jp-davis.ie	[first initial middle initial - surname]
J-davis.ie	[first initial - surname]
J-p-davis.ie	[first initial - middle initial - surname]
Pauldavis.ie	[middlename surname]
Paul-davis.ie	[middlename - surname]
Pdavis.ie	[middle initial surname]
P-davis.ie	[middle initial - surname]

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 register a domain name in this category.
Requirements:
Registered company number included in the application.
All applicants from any other country except UK and USA 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.

A Registered Trademark is eligible under this category.
Requirements:
Irish, UK, US and Community trademarks need only supply their Trademark Number in the application. For any other country trademarks a copy of the Trademark Certificate must be supplied. Where the application is made on the basis of a pending TM application the Registry will require a copy of the TM application form and official filing receipt, along with a letter from the TM 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 TM, 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.

Applicant's can use a registered business name to apply for a domain name under this category.
Requirements:
The applicant applying under this category need only include the RBN Number in the application. Unless:
If 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 us.
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 receipt number issued to acknowledge your application for business name registration with the CRO (not a submission ID).
The IEDR is aware that applicants within the 6 counties do not have to register business names and in such instances the Registry may accept 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 registered business 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 registered business.
An abbreviation of the registered business name may be used instead of the full business 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.

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.

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.

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: personal name without title or personal name with politician title.

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 'name'.ie to reflect our association name.

Sole Traders 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 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 proposed domain name must consist of the full name of the sole trader in the format of the full first name followed by the full surname.

Requirements:
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 eligibility and claim on the proposed domain name.
High quality brochure/promotional material or other demonstration of significant investment in the project, expo, or event may be sufficient.
Where the applicant is a natural person: The applicant must provide adequate documentary evidence of a correspondence address within the 32 counties of Ireland and the applicant's legal name. Acceptable documentation would include a copy of the applicant's passport, birth certificate or citizenship certificate.
Where the applicant is a sole trader: Documentation to show that the applicant is trading in Ireland. A copy of a VAT registration certificate 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.