A .ie application needs the appropriate evidence of identity and connection to Ireland. The .IE registry provides routes for companies, people starting a business, individuals and other applicant types; incorporation is not the only route.
Start with the intended domain holder
Decide who should hold the domain before buying it. Is it for you personally, an existing company or a venture still being established? Write that answer beside the exact address. A website designer can help set up the site, but the business should understand who owns and controls its domain account.
Keep the holder’s name consistent with the application type you choose. If the structure is about to change, ask the registrar how to handle that sequence instead of assuming the holder details can be casually substituted later.
Find your route in the official requirements
The .IE document-requirements page sets out applicant categories and evidence choices. An Irish company with an active CRO number can use the express company route with the correct registrant name. Individuals and people starting a business have alternative evidence options, including documents showing personal identity and connection to Ireland.
Overseas businesses have a separate route involving evidence of selling, or serious intention to sell, to customers in Ireland and commercial identity. Read the category matching your circumstances rather than borrowing another applicant’s evidence list.
Prepare a secure evidence handover
Create a private checklist containing the document type requested, who will supply it and the official or registrar upload route. Send only what the application requires through the channel confirmed by the registrar. You do not need to submit identity documents to Namecheck.ie to generate domain suggestions.
Check that a scan is readable and that the relevant holder details match the application. If you are unsure which document fits, ask the registrar before sending a large bundle of personal information. A focused evidence request is easier to resolve than several unrelated attachments.
A fictional founder’s decision sheet
| Fictional situation | Question for the registrar |
|---|---|
| Aoife starts a business before incorporation | Which applicant route fits her current position? |
| An existing LTD orders its first domain | Do the holder name and active CRO number match? |
| A designer purchases for a client | How will the client retain holder and account control? |
| An overseas business targets Ireland | Which commercial and Ireland-connection evidence is needed? |
These scenarios explain the questions to ask. They are not determinations that a particular person is eligible or that an address is available.
Check the name and services separately
Confirm the exact domain at the registrar, then review the order. Look for the registration term, renewal price, account contact details and whether hosting or email are separate purchases. A suggested address is unconfirmed until checked with the provider.
After registration, retain the receipt and account recovery information securely. Give a colleague enough practical information to find the registrar if the person who ordered it is unavailable. Our domain tool can help build a shortlist to check on hoster.ie; our cost worksheet helps compare the ongoing commitment.
Sources & review
Editorial owner: Thomas O'Sullivan. Sources checked 9 October 2026. Professional review: Thomas O'Sullivan (Company formation expert and writer), 9 October 2026. Scope: Current naming, formation and domain guidance, practical examples and source references.
Examples are fictional and do not establish name or domain availability. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authority or provider. Report a correction.