.re Registration

The domain name .re, introduced in the year 1997, is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) designating Reunion Island.

Managing and controlling the administrative and technical rules under .re extension is legally vested in the hands of AFNIC (Association Franaise pour le Nommage Internet en Coopration). Besides the registration of .re domain names, domain name registration of .fr and .tf is governed by the AFNIC. AFNIC does not, however, directly sell domain names to the customers. Internet service providers who are members of AFNIC act as registrars and sell domain names.

The second level domains that are available under .re naming zone include:

• .asso.re — for associations
• .com.re — for commercial sites
• .nom.re — for surnames (unrestricted registration)

To register and to hold domain names under .re root, you must follow all the guidelines and policies set forth by the registrar.

Companies and organizations having a head office in the country or having a physical address in the country, mentioned in the public electronic databases of the registrars of the commercial courts or National Intellectual Property Institute, or National Statistical and Economic Studies Institute (INSEE), are entitled to apply for .re domain names. The .re registration is also reserved for the state departments, institutions, local authorities or associated establishments in the Reunion Island and for those residing in the country and owning a trademark registered with the National Intellectual Property Institute.

There are also specific, binding rules for applicants who wish to register domain names with .re extension. The contract for the .re domain name is one year and registrants can use the domain name for this entire year.

For certain .re domain name registrations, it is essential to produce the required documents as proof.

Many domain name registration and web hosting companies are currently providing fast and cheap .re registration services.