Some Facts about Åland Islands and their extension, a .ax domain Name
- The .ax country-code top-level domain name (ccTLD) is an extension that represents Åland Islands.
- Aland Islands is an autonomous province of Finland, where the official language is Swedish.
- The .ax domain registration is a great way to show your presence in the region.
- The .ax domain name is internet country code Top domain level of the Åland Islands, and a necessary domain name was introduced in 2006.
- Before 2006, this country was being forced to use Finland subdomain and it was .aland.fi.
After some time, Åland Island’s needed its own domain name, and in February of 2006., Finland approved .ax domain name, which had to endure Finnish moderation of the country laws.
- From February 2006. until September 2016, a whole decade passed by, .ax domain name had its purpose only in Aland Islands, until the year of 2016. when they got the permission to sell everywhere they wanted in the world.
- At the customer’s request, the registrar shall register the domain name in the Government of Åland domain name Registry, update the domain name, renew the validity of the domain name, change the domain name registrar, transfer the domain name to another holder and remove the domain name from domain name registrar if domain expires.
- Also worth mentioning is that transferring those domains is possible with Auth-Code.
FAQ’s
Holders of domain names registered before September 5th, 2016., belongs to the government registrar. The government registrar is aiming all holders to transfer their domain names to ax-registrars. The government registrar doesn’t accept new registrations and handles only the Governments own domain names.
One of the most important changes, made after September the 5th,2016., was that new obligation that states that Domain Name Registrars must ensure the security of information of their customers, thus fore, your domain name as well.
They are pretty rigid regarding this rules, that they made a fine selection of registrars, who are allowed to sell a .ax domain names.
Are Individual .ax domain registrations allowed?
The answer is – yes, anyone can register .ax domain name. You don’t need to be resident to be able to buy this extension.
Are companies or legal entities registrations allowed for a .ax?
Yes, of course, they can, if needed. In one of the sections of the Information Society Code, a domain name holder can be anyone, except legal person’s, .ax domain holder can also be large or small Business as well as other government or non-government associations, with no limitation.
Are there requirements, documents, or information needed to register .ax domain name?
This extension can be registered to a user who is a legal person, a business operator, an individual or other association.
Anyone who wishes to register a .ax-domain name can turn to any .ax-registrar of their own choice.
To get better understanding of such high prices of those domain names ( which goes up to 124 euros ), we have to keep in mind that Åland Islands have unique location, special Tax paying zone, and very stable economy based on tradings, shipping, and tourism, therefore, it’s quite useful to have established Åland -based business, if your online presence is needed there.
That’s the main reason for prices to vary when buying this domain name.
And, very important thing, that was said earlier about those domain names is that they are strict regarding domain names. They CAN NOT conflict with well-known trademarks!
In a question of a period of registration .ax domain name?
The bare minimum for registration is 1 ( one ) year period. You can buy it one year at the time, or pay in advance, for the maximum time of 5 ( five ) years.
Registrars will get you better conditions if you buy more than one year, but it does depend on the registrar.
How long will I have to wait till I can register my .ax domain name?
The registration period ( on which you have no say at all ) is about a month, but the fact is that it doesn’t last that long, as soon as they verify that your chosen domain name doesn’t conflict with a well-known trademark, you’ll be able to register a domain in a short time.
Meaning that if you don’t have any obstacle with the domain name, you can own your .ax domain in less than one day.
What are the characters and their length regarding the .ax domain registration?
Allowed characters in this extension are:
- minimum of 2 and maximum of 63 characters;
- letters from A-Z;
- numbers from 0 to 9;
- other characters are eg å, ä, ö;
- As they must begin with a letter or a number, a .ax domain can NOT begin or end with hyphen or minus sign;
- this extension cannot start with the characters XN–;
- a domain name can NOT have spacing between letters/numbers ( eg. www.st o.ax );
Is there Trustee Service for .ax domain names?
Unfortunately, there are no trustee services for .ax domains. But if you already have, or attend to buy .ax extension, there are some great news for you.
Since September 2016. anyone can register .ax domain name, and the only information they will display about you is your first and last name, and just an ID number for companies and businesses.
How do I host my new .ax domain name?
When you choose a domain name, be sure to keep your hosting services and domain name with the same Registrar, which care about the satisfaction of its clients. At the least find out about satisfactory of clients, when choosing hosting services. Someone with the good reputation, and good reviews, because they respond the quickest, and charge the least for the number of services they provide.
The point is having both services at one place so, you can manage them with ease. Especially in cases where you don’t quite understand rules, your chosen Registrar will help you with the management of your new domain name.
Can I transfer my domain if I’m using Trustee Service, or in some countries called ID. protection?
Domains that have this service, can NOT be transferred. If you are using this service, you must update ownership according to .ax domain name rules, before you even start the transferring process.
When you finish with unlocking the domain name and rest pre-transfer action, your domain will be ready for transfer.
Between those few rules are also these ones:
– request the new registrar to obtain a registrar transfer key from the old
registrar; or
– request the registrar transfer key to be released from the old registrar in
person and submit it to the new registrar.
All of the above must be in written form, so the transfer can be excepted.
Registrar of the old domain holder must ensure, that the holder of a new domain name registrar has the right to request transfer key, which must be submitted 5 ( five ) days after the legitimate transfer was initiated.
More FAQs
Can I hide my personal information when registering a .ax domain name ( Private Whois )?
This one is must also be answered with NO because, at the present time, in the .ax domain zone they don’t have means to hide relevant information needed for domain registration.
In case you purchase .ax domain name, all necessary information required to register .ax domain name will be displayed in WHOIS database.
But, with the new rules, this information will be just your name and surname, everything else will be hidden inside .ax Registry.
Even then, additional information you’ll have to leave is a valid email address, which will remain hidden.
Also, for legal entities you’ll need:
– the holder’s business name;
– business ID number or, if no business identification number exists, other identifying information about the company; and
– a valid email address of the holder’s contact person.
Those are new rules which came in before December 2017., for better securing your or information about your organization.
How long lasts the grace period for renewal of .ax domain name?
When it comes to renewal of the .ax domain name, the registrar will inform you well in advance, so you’ll have enough time to decide if you want to renew domain name, and in case you do, they will instruct you, as an owner, with a detail information on how to do it.
If you do not want to renew your domain name, they will also provide you with detail information about the consequences of not renewing the domain name.
The Registrar may have the written agreement with domain owner to renew domain name annually, in which case, the registrar will not send you any emails regarding renewal of your domain name.
It will be renewed every year until the agreement is valid.
Since we’re explaining the grace period, it must be added at the end that:
Usually, the owner of the domain get four notification email’s before domain name expires, and that is 30 day’s before expires after that is the second notice is 15 day’s before, then 7 day’s, and finally, you’ll get a 2-day notice before your domain name expires.
Even then, when a domain name is in expired status, you’ll get the final notice 3 day’s after a domain expires.
After many notices of domain expiry, after that date is passed, you will have another 1 ( one ) month to change your mind.
That means that domain name may be redeemed by renewal, after which time .ax domain expires entirely, and it’s removed from the Registry.
A grace period is not just the matter of Åland laws, but also with the registrar through which you chose to purchase .ax domain name.
Since all of them have their separate rules, try to be informed with the Register, where you are buying the domain name from.
Can I transfer mine .ax domain name to another person or legal entity?
Since their every domain is thoroughly monitored that every single detail must be by the letter of law, although not sanctioned like in some other countries, transfer of .ax domain is the pretty simple procedure, which can be similar to other domain extensions.
So, when it comes to .ax domains, it’s a registrar job to see that the transfer is done by the rules, fairly, and with both end of the deal to be satisfied.
A registrar may transfer the .ax domain if the owner of that domain name confirms that a new owner of the domain is authorized to have it.
After receiving a transfer request domain name registrar is obligated to do the following:
– make sure that the new owner has the right to transfer particular domain name;
– to send the owner of the domain transfer key ( without the possibility to see the content of that key );
– to transfer a domain name to its new owner, and to do it within 5 ( five ) days from receiving the previous owner transfer key;
The owner of the domain that is yet to be transferred, must authorize registrar to perform the transfer in question, by providing the transfer key to another registrar. This procedure ensures that domain name owner has consented to the transfer, because, the registrar can not transfer any domain without this kind of consent that he actually is willing to give his domain to another owner.
The owner of the domain name can authorize registrar or the new owner to perform this action. Registrar of the new owner can transfer the domain name only in the case that it has been provided with both keys, one from the previous owner, and the other from the other registrar, which was the first owner’s registrar. With both of those transfer keys, a new registrar is already managing the domain name. As the certain rule, first owners transfer key is always sent to the owner of the domain name, and without giving the key to the registrar, transfer in question cannot be performed.
Which is the Registrar that manages the .ax domain names?
As earlier mentioned, .ax domain names are strictly regulated by The Government Of Åland.
The letter of law is so strict, that they insured in advance any irregularity that may occur during any and each time you buy and own .ax domain name.
In the middle of 2016., they issued ‘ Domain Name Regulations ‘, which are updated very frequently.
In those documents are stated that registrars are obligated to report and provide any information that is needed, and are connected to the .ax domain names;
when in need, they must provide information regarding information about the security of the EPP ( Extensible Provisioning Protocol );
procedures for transferring the domain name to another owner, or to be fully capable to switch, or give information about anything necessary to transfer the domain name;
actually, any information needed in order to have a .ax domain.
Law is always carried out, without any difficulties.
They all take a special care about the safety of your domain name as well as other threats regarding domain name that belongs to this country.
So, Can a foreigner register a .ax domain name?
Ten years ago, when Åland Island’s wanted to have their own domain name, they wanted it for the reasons other than they wanted to promote their country instead of Finland, and first domain names with .ax extension were supposed to promote companies in Island’s and to clearly separate them from .fi ( Finnish ) domain names.
When making the decision to purchase a domain name, many countries have the usual set of rules that go on, which can hold someone back, or even forcing you to look otherwise.
If you are living on a desert island, and you do NOT have European documents, or, for that matter, NOT living in some fancy place in London, or New York, here is the domain extension for many people!
As they decided to promote their country and their way of ease when dealing with everything, pre-set of rules allows you to be in this part of the world.
So, if you want to have a .ax domain name, you don’t have to be of any nation, or religion, you just need to have the will to research new and exciting places in the world, trade without boundaries, AX-domain name is as sure as they get.
So, if you are a legal person, large or a small one business operator, if you are individual or even association, you may register a .ax domain with ease.
You can turn to Registrar of your choice, and if you wish to have this domain name, without much trouble, most Registrars can do it upon sending an email for it, ask if the domain name is free, and leave the rest to the Registrar.
There is not even tax number, you just need to have enough money on your account, so there will be no delay in registering a domain name with .ax extension.
They decided to promote their country domain name, so – if you want it – it’s yours to take. The only requirement is that you are buying a domain for yourself, and not in the name of anyone else.
Do you need a Trademark to own this domain name?
As mentioned, requirements for owning .ax domain name is so low, that talking about trademarks and/or any legal form, that defines you as something or other, is not an issue.
Be a pusher, as they are still, and take your part of the business all around the world. AX domain names become available for wide purposes in September of last year ( 2016 ), so owning this kind of name may ensure you with some advantages like having a rare collectible item, and as long you haven’t stolen it from some big corporation, you are free to get your ‘cake and eat it too’!
Can I backorder .ax domain name?
The simplest answer is – yes, you can backorder .ax domain.
How can I renew a .ax domain name?
Åland Islands have a unique location, it’s quite useful to have established Åland -based business if your online presence is needed there.
Be careful when placing orders because they have strict laws regarding stealing of intellectual property. Other than that, there is no restriction regarding a .ax-domain name.
What if I want to change the Registrar?
You can change Registrar whenever you want to.
It’s up to you and your satisfaction with current Registrar, and only your choice where you want to keep your Domain Name as well as your Website.
What are the additional services that I can count on if I decide to buy a .ax domain name?
Being one of the safest Registry’s, additional services that you can get are mostly based on the security of your domain name. So, amongst other services, the main ones are:
– administrative information security;
– personnel security;
– security of hardware, software and data communications;
– security of information material and usage;
– physical security of your domain name;
What about changing of ownership, or transferring my domain name?
The transfer of .ax domain is the pretty simple procedure, which can be similar to other domain extensions.
A Registrar may transfer the .ax domain if the owner of that domain name confirms that a new owner of the domain is authorized to have it.
After receiving a transfer request domain name registrar is obligated to do the following:
– make sure that the new owner has the right to transfer particular domain name;
– to send the owner of the domain transfer key ( without the possibility to see the content of that key );
– to transfer a domain name to its new owner, and to do it within 5 ( five ) days from receiving the previous owner transfer key.
What is hosting, and where is the best place to buy it for my new .ax domain name?
Hosting is your bought space on the server, where Registrar’s keep your data from Web sites, blogs, and other information that are associated with your domain name.
When you choose a domain name, be sure to keep your hosting services and domain name with the same Registrar which care about the satisfaction of clients. The point is having both services at one place so you can manage them with ease.
Do I need a Trademark to register a new .ax domain name?
Requirements for owning .ax domain name is low, that talking about trademarks and/or any legal form, that defines you as something or other, is not an issue.
You do not need a Trademark to register your domain name, but be careful of companies that already have their Trademark, if you choose to buy a domain name that’s already a Brand name, you won’t get the domain you wanted, because as well as they keep your info safe, they keep others too, so you’ll have to be careful about choosing domain name.
Can I Backorder a .ax domain name?
The simplest answer is – yes, you can backorder .ax domain. Depending on the registry you belong to, your backorder can be placed, but there are many countries that don’t want to be bothered with domain names such as .ax extension. So, the others that will place backorders will charge you a lot just to assure you that you will get the domain you want. Unfortunately, sometimes you can pay for backorder and still end up with nothing, so try and find the registrar that offers no fee for backorder, or expect payment after you get the domain you backorder.
Can I hide my registration information?
At this point in time, you can’t. You may, however, give as little information about your self when registering a .ax domain name.
Are there requirements, documents, and information needed to register a .ax domain name?
The answer is – no, anyone can register .ax domain name. You will need basic information like your name, surname, and most important valid email address.
What is the registration term allowed for a .ax domain names?
When registering a .ax domain name, a minimum is 1 ( one ) year. A maximum is up to 5 years, but you can make an arrangement with your registrar not to worry.
In that case, you’ll pay for 5 years, and the registrar will do the rest for you.
How long does it take to register my .ax domain name?
The registration period ( on which you have no say at all ) is roughly about a month. That is how long they can take to decide to register or not a domain name.
The fact is that after an advanced search, you can expect your domain name to be registered within 24 hours.
What are the characters and their length when registering a .ax domain name?
As we said earlier, .ax is the official country domain (ccTLD) from Åland Islands.
Talking about the syntax, it’s like the most domain names in the world and can be as short as just 2 ( two ) characters, up to 63 (sixty-three) characters in length, excluding prefix, and domain name at the end, of course. You can use a hyphen ( – ) and it counts as one character, but also keep in mind that a domain name can not start or end with a hyphen.
Is there a trustee service when it comes to the .ax domain names?
Unfortunately, there are no trustee services for .ax domains.
Can I hide my registration information? ( meaning of Private WHOIS )?
At this moment, no, when buying a .ax domain name, all the information you left will be visible in most Private WHOIS searches, but with the new rules, which are followed to the letter, for the other WHOIS lookup’s all that will be visible is your name, and ID number if it’s company or organization.
Do I have any grace period, after the expiration of my .ax domain name?
After many notices of domain expiry, after that date is passed, you will have another 1 ( one ) month to change your mind. That means that domain name may be redeemed by renewal, after which time .ax domain expires entirely, and it’s removed from the register.
Which registry manages a .ax domain names?
Until a few years ago FICORA was responsible for steering and supervising every domain that is from Finland and Åland Islands and services together with other operators in the field.
Today, management of the .ax-domain names is left with Åland Islands, sponsored by Ålands Landskapsregeringen.
