If you’re setting up a new website or transitioning to a .gov.uk domain for your town council, it’s important to follow the official naming rules. These aren’t just formalities – they help protect your council’s identity, build public trust, and ensure your site is recognised as an official source of local government information.
What Makes a Valid Town Council Domain Name?
The UK government has strict guidelines when it comes to naming .gov.uk domains for town and parish councils. Here are the key rules to be aware of:
- Include the Geographical Name
Your domain name must clearly include the full name of the town. This helps users immediately recognise who the website belongs to and prevents confusion with other councils.
- newtowntowncouncil.gov.uk
- newtowntown.gov.uk
- Avoid Abbreviations – Unless Established
In most cases, abbreviations of the town name are not permitted. The only exception is if the abbreviation is already widely used and clearly identifies the council. In that case, it must end in -tc.gov.uk.
- newtown‑tc.gov.uk
- nttown.gov.uk
- ntcouncil.gov.uk
- Follow Technical Guidelines
Domain names must:
- Be between 3 and 63 characters
- Use only lowercase letters (a–z), digits (0–9), and hyphens
- Avoid underscores, special characters, and abbreviations like “ltd” or “gov” in the wrong context
- Not duplicate or closely resemble another .gov.uk domain
Who Can Register the Domain?
Only the clerk of the council can register the domain. They’ll be listed as the official registrant and take responsibility for managing the domain.
Why Choose a .gov.uk Domain?
There are plenty of benefits to using a proper government domain:
- Shows your council is official and trustworthy
- Improves search engine visibility
- Helps meet GDPR and FOI compliance more easily
- Prevents confusion with non-official websites
- Keeps control of emails and digital identity when staff members change
How to Apply
The process is straightforward:
- Confirm eligibility (must be a town or parish council)
- Decide on a compliant domain name
- Use an approved registrar to apply
- Await approval from the Domain Management Team (typically within a few days)
- Costs vary, but setup is usually around £55–£100 + VAT, with annual renewals typically between £35–£100 + VAT.
What About Redirects?
If you’re moving from an old domain (e.g. .org.uk or .co.uk), you can set up redirects to your new .gov.uk domain. This helps avoid broken links, but redirects should be used carefully and not relied on long-term, as excessive redirects may affect search rankings.
Need Help Choosing the Right Domain?
If you’re unsure about what domain name to go for, or want to check if your preferred option complies with the rules, we’re here to help.
Get in touch with us at Zonkey Council Websites – we’ll guide you through the process and make sure your domain is set up correctly, securely and in full compliance with government standards. You can also read more at www.gov.uk/guidance/choose-your-govuk-domain-name.