Advantages of a .GOV Domain Name for Villages

From the December 2007.

Written by Urb LeJeune

The Advantages of a .GOV domain names are now available for villages

The last part of a domain name is called the Top Level Domain (TLD). The most common are .com, .org, and .net. Until recently the .GOV TLD was reserved for the use of Federal and State entities and their agencies. The .GOV TLD is now available for Municipal and County governments. These domains names are issued and  regulated by the Federal Government. They are not available for agencies or municipal subdivisions such as Police Departments or Municipal Utility Authorities.

Municipal use of a .GOV domain name must include the name of the municipality and the initials of the state. Examples domains might include GlenCoveNY.GOV orRoslyn‑NY.GOV. Domain names are case insensitive and the first letter of key words can be in capitals for emphasis. Any organization can have more than one domain name and different domain names can point to the same website or email account.

At $125 per years are pricy compared to the Network Solutions annual registration price of $35 per year for conventional domain names such as .com, .org, and .net. In addition the registration process is a bit tricky. The Mayor, or the municipality’s highest elected official, must sign a letter of application. The application letter is rejected more often than accepted.

 E-Government.com, the company responsible for the NCVOA website and the redesign of the Roslyn website, will assist in the registration of your .GOV domain at no charge. A Microsoft Word document is provided that will be accepted by the GSA. The provided Word document is then printed on official stationary, signed by the mayor, and FAXed to the GSA office in Virginia. Once the letter is FAXed, E‑Government.com will complete the remainder of the registration process in the name of your municipality with your designated person as administrative contact.

 If you have any question or would like to start registration process Urb LeJeune at Urb@E-Government.com, or call Urb at 800-204-9545.

Email Urb