Search ax-domain

Information about ax

Users of ax-domain names are often Åland companies, people or services. But anyone can be a user of an ax-domain name. The daily administration of ax-domain names is handled by registrars. The Government of Åland is working towards registrars and supervises and administers the registrar model. The Government manages the domain name registry and name service (DNS) for the ax-root. The Government provides the Whois.ax website which contains information, legislation and the search function to existing and vacant ax-domain names.

Anyone who wishes to register an ax-domain name (domain name holder) turns to a registrar of choice. The registrar then registers the domain name in the Government domain name registry.

The registrar provides the domain name holder all services: renewal, transfer, change of registrar, updating data and removal of domain name. A domain name must always be registered on the real user, not for example on the registrar who strictly manages the domain name on behalf of the customer.

Registration fees and pricing

The Government charges a fee from registrars for each registration and each renewal of domain name. The fee is the same for all registrars.

The fee is currently:

Domain valid for 1 year – 20 euro
Domain valid for 3 years – 55 euro
Domain valid for 5 years – 85 euros

Registrars may freely price their own services in relation to their customers.

For domain name holders

To register an ax-domain name and for all other related services, the domain name holder contacts a registrar. The domain name holder can freely choose a registrar from the registrars list found on whois.ax.

The registrar handles renewal of the domain name and any updates of contact details.

Monitoring and protection of trademarks

The Government monitors the registry-registrar model and manages the domain name registry and name service (DNS) for the ax-root. A domain name must not violate another’s protected name or trademark.

Who can apply for an ax-domain name?

A domain name can be registered by a user who is a legal person, a business operator, an individual or other association. Domain name holders are often Åland companies, associations or individuals, but anyone can register an ax-domain name.

Anyone who wishes to register an ax-domain name turns to an ax-registrar of their own choice.

Act on domain names

The registration of domain names under the top level domain ax is governed by the Information Society Code (FFS 917/2014) paragraphs concerning domain names and domain name regulation M68. The law stipulates, inter alia, operational model for administration of domain names, responsibilities and obligations as well as the form and content of the domain name.

Information Society Code (FFS 917/2014), pdf

Domain Name Regulation M68, pdf

Explanatory notes to Regulation M68, pdf

Form of Domain Name

An ax-domain name can generally be freely selected. The law, however, has some limitations in terms of its form and content.

A domain name must consist of at least two and a maximum of 63 characters.

Allowed characters in a domain name are:

• letters a-z
• figures 0-9
• other characters is eg å, ä, ö

A domain name may not:

• begin or end with a hyphen-
• start with the characters xn--.
• equal or imitate someone else’s protected name or trademark

A full description of the domain name will be found in

Domain Name Regulation M68, pdf

Terminology

Domain name holders

The person, company or association on which the domain name is registered. Domain name holders are customers of a registar of their own choice. A domain name must be registered on the real user, not on the registrar or another contractor.

Registrar

A provider of a service to their customers. The service includes registering domain names at the Government on behalf of its customers. The registrar provides all services related to ax-domain names: application, renewal, transferring, change of registrar, termination and updates of the domain name holders’ contact details. The registrar complies with the obligations set for a registrar in the Information Society Code and related regulations.

Domain name register

The Government manages a register of all ax-domain names, domain name holders and registrars.

The name server

A name server connects the domain name and the location of other services, such as email and website. Name servers are usually provided by your provider of email and web hosting.