New Registration of Domain Name

Q1: What is a domain name?

A: A domain name is a unique alpha-numeric name used to locate a specific computer on the Internet.

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Q2: What does it mean to “register” a .hk domain name?

A: To register a .hk domain name means that an organization is requesting a right to use the registered name on the Internet. The organization which wishes to register this .hk domain name must accept the latest Registration Agreement set by Hong Kong Domain Name Registration Company Limited (HKDNR).

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Q3: What is the Hong Kong Domain Name Registration Company Limited (hereafter HKDNR)?

A: HKDNR is now the operations arm of The Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation (HKIRC) in assuming the role of both registry and registrar for the registration and assignment of Third Level Domain (“Domain Name”) under the existing Second Level Domains, namely .com.hk, .org.hk, .gov.hk, .edu.hk, .net.hk. .idv.hk, Second-Level .hk and any other categories to be introduced from time to time.

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Q4: When did HKDNR commence with the first new registration policy for .hk domain name?

A: HKDNR commences with the new registration policy on 01 June 2001.

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Q5: Who can register a domain name?

A: Except .idv.hk which is designated for Individuals aged 11 or above with HKID cards, other 3rd level .hk domain names are designed for Hong Kong organizations. For overseas entities, please consider register Second-Level ‘.hk’ domain name which accept applications from organizations and individuals from both local and overseas.

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Q6: How long does the registration process take?

A: Registration processing time will depend on two factors: your application action and our verification action.

For example for 3rd level domain name categories, we shall process your registration upon receipt of your: (i) copy of document(s) and (ii) applicable registration fee. Once we have received and verified all the required document(s), you will receive email notifications notifying results of your application within 1 working day. However, if the required document(s) and/or payment are not yet received, an email reminder will be sent on the 14th calendar day after receiving your application to notify you of the items that are outstanding. If all the required items are still not yet received within 10 calendar days, the application will be cancelled.

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Q7: I don’t know a thing about the Internet, can I let my ISP handle everything in my domain name application?

A: Yes, but bear in mind that your ISP is performing the registration on behalf of you; therefore, you are the one who will be bound by the terms and conditions of the latest HKDNR Registration Agreement. You are also agreed to be responsible for any errors made by the Agent. So, please make sure all information provided by your ISP is correct and accurate in order to avoid any discrepancies found. Since you may change your ISP, we advise you to have your contact information as the Administrative Contact so that we can keep you informed of any issues related to your domain name.

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Q8: If I have some customer service queries or technical problems about domain name registration, how can I contact you?

A: Please contact us at +852 23191313 or by email to enquiry@hkdnr.hk if the information provided in our website cannot answer your questions. Email is our main communication channel and you can expect that response time should be reasonably fast.

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Q9: I am an individual and do not have a company. Can I register a domain name?

A: Yes. Starting from 21 Feb 2003, any Hong Kong Identity Card Holder aged 11 or above may apply for an individual domain names (.idv.hk) at https://www.hkdnr.hk. For individuals from overseas, please consider registering Second-Level ‘.hk’ domain name, which accept applications of organizations and individuals from both local and overseas.

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Q10: I am not yet online. I want to register a domain name first, then subscribe to an ISP later. Can I reserve a domain name first?

To register a domain name, customers must have two name servers, which can be provided by ISPs and web hosting companies or managed by in-house system administrators. However, if you do not submit any valid name server details during registration, HKDNR may provide temporary name servers for your domain name until your designated name server records are available, or the domain name is deleted or transferred.

Once the website content or web-hosting service is ready, you can update the name server details temporarily provided by HKDNR by proceeding an “Modify Name Server” application at the HKDNR website. An email notification will be sent to the Administrative Contact and the Technical Contact once receiving the application, and the modification will be activated on the same day.

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Q11: I noticed that my desired domain name is unavailable. What should I do?

A: Registration of domain name is on a first-come, first-served basis, if your desired domain name is registered, you can consider trying another favorite domain name.

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Q12: What are the procedures to register a domain name?

A: To register a .hk domain name, you need to first check for the availability of the domain name and if necessary, to get ready the relevant document(s). Domain name registration can be performed online by completing the online registration process according to the following steps:

Step 1: Click the availability of the domain on the front page

Step 2: Read and accept Registration Agreement, Rules and Important Notice

Step 3: Confirm payment amount and contract year. Input Name Server information (please leave this field blank if you want to temporarily park the domain in HKDNR’s page), promotion code (if any) and authorization information

Step 4: Enter Registrant Information and other contact information

Step 5: Review and confirm the information provided

Step 6: Make payment online or quite the page if use other payment method. Application submitted. Take note of the tracking number (NDNxxxxxxx) and domain name information shown, and to send in the required fees and required document(s) marked with the tracking number and domain name to HKDNR within 14 calendar days.

* Please also note that if your company has an existing domain name that is currently under Old Agreement, by accepting your new registration application will bind your existing domain name to the latest HKDNR Registration Agreement.

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Q13: What should I be aware of when filling in the online registration form?

A: Before proceeding with the online registration, please have the required documents ready (refer to Document(s) for details). When filling in the information, make sure that all the data entered are correct and accurate; for those documents related data, be sure that they are identical with what stated on the documents, ie. the organization name and document number. By completing the online registration procedure, you are then accepted to be bound by the terms and conditions of our latest HKDNR Registration Agreement. Remember to quote the Tracking Number and Domain Name on the document(s) and payment.

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Q14: What kinds of documents and payment does HKDNR accept?

A: Please refer to Document(s) and Payment Methods for details.

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Q15: What is the fee for registering and continue using a domain name?

A: Please refer to the following table of fee schedule :

Contract Period
Per .com.hk /.org.hk /
.net.hk / .gov.hk / .edu.hk
domain name
Per .idv.hk
domain
name
Per .hk
domain name

Annual Fee (HK$):
– for 1-year contract
– for 2-year contract
– for 3-year contract
– for 5-year contract

$200
$400
$500
$800

$150
$280
$380
$550

$250
$500
$625
$1,000

Types of Application
Per Application (HK$)
Per Application (HK$)
Per Application (HK$)

* Registration of New Domain Name / *
Renewal of Existing Domain Name

Based on the Contract
Period selected

Based on the
Contract Period selected

Based on the Contract Period selected

#Transfer of
Domain Name

$500 + Annual Fee

$500 + Annual Fee

$500 + Annual Fee

*Modification of
Name Server

$200 (For domain names registered under Old Contract)

$0

$0

*Late Charge

$200 (Within 14 days after domain name’s suspension)

100 (Within 14 days after domain name’s suspension)

$200 (Within 14 days after domain name’s suspension)

Other Special Services

Upon request

Upon request

Upon request

*For all unsuccessful applications, the first $150 (for .idv.hk) or $200 (for other domain names) of the application fee is NON-REFUNDABLE.
#For all unsuccessful applications, the first $500 of the application fee is NON-REFUNDABLE.

**All Fees listed above are subjected to change with 30-day prior notice.

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Q16: When do I have to pay the renewal fee?

A: The renewal date of your domain name depends on the contract year you selected. For details, please refer to the FAQ of Domain Name Renewal.

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Q17: How long can I use a domain name after registration?

A: A domain name may be registered for a period of 1, 2, 3 or 5 years depending on your choice of domain name types and payment selection. Details refer to Q15

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Q18: Can I register more than one .hk domain name?

A: All registrants whose domain names are under or being upgraded to the latest HKDNR Registration Agreement are eligible to apply for multiple domain names. For customers whose domain names are under Old Agreement, they can only register for only one .hk domain name.

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Q19: How can I modify the Domain Name information?

A: You can modify your name servers or other contacts information on our website at https://www.hkdnr.hk. For details, please refer to FAQ of Domain Name Modification


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Q20: What are the differences among .com.hk, .net.hk, .edu.hk, .org.hk and .gov.hk?

A: Domain names ending with .com.hk, .net.hk or .org.hk are tailored for different kinds of organizations and .idv.hk is designed for registering by an individual given that you are able to fulfill the criteria set for these domain names. You can refer to the latest HKDNR Registration Agreement for classification of each type of domain name.

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Q21: How can I change the name of domain name owner after registering a domain name?

A: There are two scenarios of changing the name of domain name holder: (1) formal change of organization name (details refer to Q6 of FAQ of Re-registration) / individual name (2) change of ownership (details refer toFAQ of Transfer of Domain Name).

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Q22: Will my name or contact information be available to the public?

A: We will make your domain name related information available to the public at “WHOIS“, but we will not sell or disclose other information about our customers to any external parties. Please refer to our Privacy Policy Statement for details.

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Q23: Someone has registered the domain name I want and I have a trademark, what should I do? Is there any way that I can get it back?

A: Generally speaking, domain names are registered on a first-come, first-served basis. If you think someone has invaded your right in using the domain name, and you have a trademark to back up your claim, please read our Dispute Resolution Policy. and contact Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (http://www.hkiac.org/, the appointed .hk domain name dispute resolution provider if you do have such a complaint.

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Q24: What extra services can I get after registering a domain name?

A: If your domain name has already been successfully registered, some extra services will be available to you. These services include:

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Q25: How much does it cost for the extra services listed in Q24?

A: Under the latest HKDNR Registration Agreement, additional costs will be applied only to transfer of domain names and other special services; the remaining value-added services are free of charge. On the other hand, those customers who are under Old Agreement will have to pay for each request for name server modification. Also they cannot apply for transfer of domain name. You could refer to the Fee Schedule in Q15 for details of the cost of each type of application.

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Q26: If my desired domain name has been registered by another party, can I reserve the said domain name and make registration till it’s contract ended?

A: Since domain name registered under the latest HKDNR Registration Agreement, can be renewed annually, normally we do not accept reservation for any registered domain names.

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Q27: Why does my favorite domain name cannot be registered though I can’t found any record at “WHOIS”?

A: Other than domain names which have already been registered, HKIRC has reserved a list of domain names which are not opened to public for registration.

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Q28: Noticed that my domain name is now registered under HKDNR Registration Agreement v.3 but not v.2, when did the upgrade be effective?

A: To cope with the launch of Second-Level ‘.hk’ domain name, HKDNR has made changes to the HKDNR Registration Agreement and have it renamed as Version 3.0. The new Version 3.0 will be applied to all new domain name registration and domain name transfer with effect from 26-Jan-04. For existing customers under all 3rd level categories, the new Version 3.0 will be applied to their domain name registration by 16-Feb-04.

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Q29: What are the differences between the HKDNR Registration Agreement v.3 & v.2?

A: Major differences between the HKDNR Registration Agreement v.3 & v.2 are as follows:

For full version of the HKDNR Registration Agreement, please refer to our website.

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Q30: Can I register a domain name consisting of or containing a reference to the wordings “insurance” and “assurance”?

A: According to the Section 56A, Cap.41 of the Insurance Companies Ordinance the above domain names are not opened for the general public to make registration unless the registrant can:

For more details, please refer to Section 56A, Cap.41 of the ICO. You can also check with The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance / the Insurance Authority at 21/F Queensway Governments Offices, 66 Queensway, H.K. or call +852 28672565 or fax to +852 28690252.

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Q31: When and how can I use online credit card channel to settle domain name related payment?

A: Starting from 7th May 2003, the online Credit Card payment channel has been available for all types of domain name applications including new registration, transfer, name server modification and renewal for all domain name categories. From July 2006, online PPS payment is also accepted.

To proceed online payment, applicants are required to have a valid personal credit card and to provide details on card number and expiry date.

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Q32: What kinds of credit cards are accepted for online payment?

A: Personal Visa Card and Master Card are accepted for online payment as long as it is valid and with details on credit card number and expiry date provided.

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Q33: When will my payment be settled if using credit card online?

A: Payment by credit card online will be settled once all required document(s) for the application have been received and passed the verification procedure. However PPS payment will be charged after you complete the online application.

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Q34: Can I change the contract period and payment method after submitting the online application form?

A: Normally the contract period and payment method cannot be changed once you have sent in your application. However, special arrangement can be made upon request, please contact our Registration Staff at +852 23191313 or email to enquiry@hkdnr.hkfor assistance.

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Q35: Can I register a domain name consisting of or containing a reference to the wordings ‘bank’?

A: According to Section 97 of the Banking Ordinance, if a customer applies for the registration of a Domain Name and it uses the word ‘bank’ or any of its derivatives in English, or any translation thereof in any language, or uses the letters ‘b’, ‘a’, ‘n’, ‘k’ in that order in the Domain Name, the customer is required to provide HKDNR with a true copy of the specific consent granted by the Monetary Authority (MA) under section 97 of the Banking Ordinance for the use of banking names or descriptions.

This requirement does not apply if the customer is not restricted from using banking names and descriptions by the relevant provisions of section 97 of the Banking Ordinance (e.g., a bank authorized under the Banking Ordinance) or by the general consent given by the MA under section 97 of the Banking Ordinance.

For more details, please refer to Section 97 of the Banking Ordinance (Cap.155, the Laws of Hong Kong) Chapter 7 of the Guide to Authorization issued by the MA.

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If you have further enquiries, please contact us at +852 23191313 or by email to enquiry@hkdnr.hk. Thank you.

Last Updated: 19 / 08 / 2006