.aq Domain
.aq is the ccTLD of Antarctica, registered with IANA on February 26, 1992, and administered by Antarctica Network Information Centre Limited from Christchurch, New Zealand. It is one of the most restricted extensions that exist: only government organizations signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, or applicants with genuine physical presence on the continent, can register it.
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About the .AQ domain
What is the .AQ domain?
It is one of the ccTLDs with the most restrictive registration policy in the domain name system: only government organizations that are signatories to the Antarctic Treaty, or applicants who can demonstrate genuine physical presence on the continent, may apply for a .aq domain. This physical presence can consist of unattended installations owned by the applicant, or even short expedition visits by the registrant or its employees. To prove it, a letter signed by the officer in charge of the base or expedition must be submitted. Unlike the vast majority of extensions, registering a .aq domain is completely free of charge, valid for a renewable 24-month period. It is therefore not an extension available for commercial or personal projects with no genuine connection to Antarctic activity.
The .aq domain can only be registered by government organizations that are signatories to the Antarctic Treaty, or by applicants with genuine physical presence in Antarctica (including unattended installations or short expedition visits). A letter signed by the officer in charge of the base or expedition is required. Registration is free of charge and valid for 24 months. It is not available to the general public with no connection to Antarctica.
Uses of .AQ
Who is the .AQ domain for?
These are the most common situations where .AQ is the ideal extension.
Scientific research bases and stations
The main, almost exclusive use: research facilities with documented physical presence on the continent.
Antarctic Treaty government organizations
State entities signatory to the treaty, with no need for permanent physical presence.
Scientific or logistical expeditions
Even short expedition visits can qualify, if proven with the officer-in-charge letter.
Unattended infrastructure in Antarctica
Automated monitoring installations owned by the applicant.
.AQ vs other extensions
Which extension suits you best?
Each extension has its own profile. Here we compare .AQ with the most common alternatives to help you choose.
| Extension | Best for | Restrictions | Registration price |
|---|---|---|---|
| .aq This page | Antarctic Treaty organizations or genuine physical presence | Yes — the strictest in the DNS | Free |
| .com | Any project with no Antarctic connection | None | $14.99/year |
Registration process
How to register your .AQ domain at miHosting
Check availability
Type the name you want in the search bar. We show you in seconds whether it's available or if you need to look for alternatives.
Complete registration
Fill in the registrant details and choose whether to add hosting. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes.
Your domain is live
Within minutes your .AQ domain is active and visible from anywhere in the world. DNS propagates in under 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions about the .AQ domain
Can I register a .aq domain with no connection to Antarctica?
No. Only government organizations signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, or applicants with genuine physical presence on the continent, can register it.
What counts as "physical presence" in Antarctica?
Unattended installations owned by the applicant, or short expedition visits by the registrant or its employees, proven with a letter signed by the officer in charge of the base or expedition.
How much does a .aq domain cost?
It is free of charge. Registration is valid for 24 months, renewable as long as the requirements continue to be met.
Who administers the .aq domain?
Antarctica Network Information Centre Limited, based in Christchurch, New Zealand, managed by Peter Mott. It was registered with IANA on February 26, 1992.
Can I use .aq for a commercial or personal project with no Antarctic connection?
No. It is one of the most restricted extensions in the DNS and is not intended for use outside documented Antarctic activity.
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