ltd.uk and plc.uk Second Level Domains
The .ltd.uk and .plc.uk second level domains are operated by us, and are intended for companies. Users are restricted to one name per registrant, and the name that a registrant can have is worked out via a standard set of rules. We believe that this set of rules mirrors, as closely as possible in the domain name system, the system used by Companies House, so you should always be able to have a domain name which closely matches your company name and which has not already been taken by someone else.
Because of these requirements, .ltd.uk and .plc.uk are 'restricted' second level domains, ie. to register under these domains you must pass, and continue to pass, the tests set out in the rules. The specific rules for .ltd.uk and .plc.uk are at Clause 10 of the rules, although the general rules also apply. These notes are for guidance only and do not replace or alter the rules.
There are two main tests in the .ltd.uk and .plc.uk second level domains.
- The registrant must be (for .ltd.uk) a 'Limited Company' incorporated under the Companies Act 1985, or (for .plc.uk) a 'Public Limited Company' incorporated under the Companies Act 1985; and
- The domain name registered by the applicant must be related to their company name in accordance with the algorithm set out in the rules.
Most companies that are entitled to use the word 'Limited', 'Public Limited Company', 'Ltd.' or 'Plc.' in their name are created in this way. Applications are checked by hand, so will take longer than .co.uk or .me.uk applications.
Specific Cases
- There are some companies that are created under other statutes (for example Industrial and Provident Societies) which may be entitled to use the word 'Limited' but are not entitled to .ltd.uk domain names.
- Companies which use the exemption under section 30 of the Companies Act 1985 do not use the word 'Limited' in their name but do qualify for a .ltd.uk domain name.
- Welsh companies who are entitled to use 'cyfngedig', 'cyf.', 'cwmni cyfyngedig cyhoeddus' or 'ccc.' are entitled to .ltd.uk and .plc.uk domain names.
Changing Name or Status
The rules for these second level domains are designed to mimic Companies House. Under Companies House rules, once a company changes its name, it is possible for another to use the name that is no longer in use.
The rules therefore state that where a registrant no longer qualifies for the domain name, it can be cancelled. For example:
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if a Limited company becomes a Public Limited Company, they no longer qualify for a .ltd.uk domain name, and it will be cancelled (but they may apply for a .plc.uk domain name);
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if a company changes its name eg. from 'Company (UK) Ltd' to 'ProductName Ltd.' It will no longer qualify for the companyuk.ltd.uk name, which will be cancelled, but it can apply for the productname.ltd.uk name as an alternative;
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if a company never qualified for a .ltd.uk or .plc.uk name but for some reason one was granted anyway, that name can be cancelled; and
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if a company has been removed from the register at Companies House, the domain name can be deleted without further notice.
