Domain e-application
What is a domain name?
A domain name is a name that you can use to define your unique presence on the Internet. For example, a domain name could be “akep.al”. In the same way that your postal address allows anyone in the world to send a letter to your home or office, your domain name enables others to find your website or email (electronic mailbox), if you own one.
A domain name is a combination of alphanumeric characters that includes letters from A to Z, numbers from 0 to 9, and the hyphen “-”.
From a syntactical perspective, the following domain names cannot be registered:
- Names consisting of a single character;
- Names that start or end with a hyphen “-”;
- Names that exceed 63 characters;
- Names that start with two alphanumeric characters followed by two hyphens (e.g., format “xy–“).
How is a domain registered under the “.al” zone?
Before registering a domain under the “.al” zone, you must:
- Ensure that the domain name you wish to register is not part of:
- The list of prohibited names
- The list of reserved names
- Check the website of the General Directorate of Industrial Property (DPPI) to ensure the domain name you want to register is not a trademark or patent registered by this directorate: http://dppi.gov.al/dhe
- Make sure the domain is available for registration by performing a search through the following link:
Search for your domain
Domain registration under the “.al” zone is done through AKEP and Registrars:
Accredited registrars providing domain name registration services under the .al zone:
- www.albtelecom.al
- www.host.al
- www.webhost.al
- www.iregister.al
- www.digicom.al
- www.softsolution.al
- www.innovahost.al
- www.domaindot.al
- www.one.al
- www.upflare.al
- www.mcn.al
- www.impuls.al
Please note: prices vary from one registrar to another.
What is the deadline for registering a domain under the “.al” zone?
The deadline for registering a .al domain (and subdomains) through AKEP and Registrars is up to 3 working days from the moment the regular application form is submitted. Submission of an incomplete form does not affect your right to the domain name, and no other applicant may claim this domain while you are re-filling/correcting the form. The time for re-filling/correcting the form is up to 3 working days, and re-filling/correction is only allowed once. If you do not re-fill/correct the form within this deadline, the requested domain is considered free, and other applicants may apply for the same domain name following the same procedure.
To register a domain through AKEP, follow these steps:
- Download the Domain Registration Form and complete it according to the instructions provided in the form.
- Send the scanned form via email or fax (the address and fax number are listed at the bottom of the form).
- AKEP will review your application and respond via email to the addresses provided in the application.
- If the domain name is available and your application is in order, AKEP will send you an invoice via email to the addresses provided in the form.
- AKEP will confirm the payment and proceed with the registration of the domain name.
You can also register your domain through AKEP by following the procedure outlined in the Domain Administration Regulation, using the following forms:
- Application Form for Closure
- Application Form for Technical Modification
- Application Form for Registration
- Application Form for Data Renewal
- Application Form for Payment Contact Renewal
- Application Form for Transfer
- Application Form for Transfer to a New Registrar
Regulation
DOMAIN NAME ADMINISTRATION REGULATION UNDER .AL EFFECTIVE FROM 01.11.2018
Decisions of the Governing Council
- Decision No. 69, dated 01.10.2018, on “Review of the administrative appeal by the domain registrar entity under .al, ‘Shqipëriacom sh.p.k,’ regarding the annulment of the Governing Council Decision No. 41, dated 04.06.2018.”
- Decision No. 68, dated 01.10.2018, on “Review of the administrative appeal by the domain registrar entity under .al, ‘WEBHOST sh.p.k,’ regarding the partial opposition to Decision No. 41, dated 04.06.2018, of the Governing Council of AKEP.”
- Decision No. 67, dated 01.10.2018, on “Some additions and changes to Regulation No. 2, dated 21.02.2008, ‘On the registration and administration of domain names under .al and subdomains .gov.al, .mil.al, .edu.al, .com.al, .org.al, and .net.al,’ as amended.”
- Decision No. 58, dated 03.08.2018, on “Extension of the deadline for completing the review of the administrative appeal by the registrar entity ‘ShqipëriaCom sh.p.k’ against Governing Council Decision No. 41, dated 04.06.2018.”
- Decision No. 57, dated 03.08.2018, on “Extension of the deadline for completing the review of the administrative appeal by the registrar entity ‘Webhost sh.p.k’ against Governing Council Decision No. 41, dated 04.06.2018.”
- Decision No. 56, dated 03.08.2018, on “An amendment to Decision No. 41, dated 04.06.2018, ‘On some additions and changes to Regulation No. 2, dated 21.02.2008, ‘On the administration of domain names under .al and subdomains .gov.al, .mil.al, .edu.al, .com.al, .org.al, and .net.al.’”
- Decision No. 41, dated 04.06.2018, on “Some additions and changes to Regulation No. 2, dated 21.02.2008, ‘On the registration and administration of domain names under .al and subdomains .gov.al, .mil.al, .edu.al, .com.al, .org.al, and .net.al,’ as amended.”
- Decision No. 03, dated 12.01.2018, on “Review of the administrative appeal by Mr. Afrim Reka against Decision No. 24, dated 15.12.2017, ‘Regarding the review of the request by the entity ‘Koha Jonë’ concerning the domain ‘kohajone.al.’”
- Decision No. 02, dated 12.01.2018, on “Approval of the consultation document ‘On some changes to Regulation No. 2, dated 21.02.2008, ‘On the registration and administration of domain names under .al and subdomains .gov.al, .mil.al, .edu.al, .com.al, .org.al, and .net.al,’ as amended.’”
- Decision No. 24, dated 15.12.2017, on “Review of the request by the entity ‘Koha Jonë’ concerning the domain ‘kohajone.al.’”
- Decision No. 25, dated 15.12.2017, on “Taking measures regarding concerns related to domain names under .al.”