Exclusive to verified US government organizationsManaged by CISA since April 2021 (previously the GSA)Free registration since the transfer to CISA

.gov Domain

.gov is the gTLD reserved for verified US government organizations, managed by CISA since April 2021 following the 2020 DOTGOV Act. The request must be authorized and is subject to verification; registration is free.

1985 Year created
gTLD Extension type (IANA)
On request Registration price / year
Yes Registration restrictions

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About the .GOV domain

What is the .GOV domain?

The .gov is one of the oldest generic top-level domains (gTLD) on the internet, created in 1985 alongside .edu, .com, .org, .net, and .mil. Since April 2021, its management has fallen to CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency), the United States' civilian cybersecurity agency, following the formal transfer of responsibilities from the General Services Administration (GSA), in compliance with the 2020 DOTGOV Act.

Only verified US government organizations can register a .gov domain: federal agencies, state or territorial governments, tribal governments, cities, and special districts. CISA verifies the identity of every applicant, using the US Census Bureau's criteria for classifying governments to determine eligibility; in some cases, it may request additional documentation, such as legislation, a founding charter, or bylaws, to confirm the organization meets the requirements. Every request must be formally authorized by the agency's CIO or the head of the organization. A significant change introduced alongside the transfer to CISA in 2021: .gov domain registration stopped having a cost, eliminating the fees that previously existed under GSA management.
Registration restrictions

Only verified US government organizations can register: federal agencies, state or territorial governments, tribal governments, cities, and special districts. CISA reviews the information provided using the US Census Bureau's criteria for classifying governments to determine eligibility, and may request additional documentation — such as legislation, a charter, or bylaws — to verify it. The request must be authorized by the agency's CIO or the head of the organization. Since 2021, registration is free of charge. Contact our team to confirm availability and the exact requirements.

Extension .GOV
IANA type gTLD
Created in 1985
Registry CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency), since April 2021; previously managed by the GSA (General Services Administration)
Restrictions Yes
Registration On request
Renewal On request

Uses of .GOV

Who is the .GOV domain for?

These are the most common situations where .GOV is the ideal extension.

US federal agencies

The most direct use: federal government bodies verified by CISA.

State, territorial, and tribal governments

Administrations recognized under the US Census Bureau's criteria.

Cities and special districts

Local governments proving their public nature to CISA.

Reinforced trust and public security

Mandatory verification helps citizens identify authentic official communications.

.GOV vs other extensions

Which extension suits you best?

Each extension has its own profile. Here we compare .GOV with the most common alternatives to help you choose.

Extension Best for Restrictions Registration price
.gov This page Verified US government organizations Verification by CISA per Census Bureau criteria Free
.com Any project with no government verification None $14.99/yr

Registration process

How to register your .GOV domain at miHosting

01

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.

02

Complete registration

Fill in the registrant details and choose whether to add hosting. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes.

03

Your domain is live

Within minutes your .GOV domain is active and visible from anywhere in the world. DNS propagates in under 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions about the .GOV domain

Who can register a .gov domain?

Federal agencies, state, territorial, or tribal governments, cities, and special districts of the United States, subject to CISA verification.

How much does it cost to register a .gov?

Since the transfer to CISA in 2021, registration is free of charge.

Who must authorize the request?

The agency's CIO or the head of the organization.

Who manages the .gov domain?

CISA, since April 2021, after replacing the GSA in compliance with the 2020 DOTGOV Act.

What documentation might CISA request to verify eligibility?

Legislation, a founding charter, or bylaws, depending on the case.

Can I register my .gov domain with miHosting?

.gov registration is managed directly with CISA; contact our team if you need additional guidance on the process.

Register your .GOV today

Your .GOV domain.
Your online identity.

Real technicians behind your domain. No complications, no surprises. Full management from your control panel.

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The .gov domain is the gTLD reserved for verified US government organizations, managed by CISA since 2021. Registration is free, but requires prior verification. Contact our team if you need guidance, and discover our professional hosting for other projects.