.us domain lifecycle
.us is operated by Registry Services Corporation (managed by GoDaddy Registry). Approximately 80 days from expiry to drop. US-based businesses, civic projects, government-adjacent.
At a glance
What .us is for
.us is the United States ccTLD. It was delegated to the US in 1985 but only opened to general commercial registration in April 2002 under NeuStar. Unlike most ccTLDs that opened to global registration, .us has a "nexus requirement" — registrants must be US citizens, residents, or US-incorporated entities.
Registrations are around 2 million. Standard lifecycle but with the additional nexus verification overhead.
Best fit: Entities with a verifiable US nexus (citizen, resident, US-incorporated company).
Special rules and quirks
- Nexus requirement: registrants must have a US connection (citizen, resident, US-incorporated entity).
- Registrants must declare their nexus category at registration.
- Privacy proxy registrations are limited compared to gTLDs.
Buyer notes
- Standard 80-day lifecycle.
- Cannot register without a verifiable US nexus.
- Drop catching is light; manual registration usually works.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be in the US to register a .us?
You need a US nexus: citizen, resident, US-incorporated, or substantial US presence. Verification is light but registrations without nexus are subject to deletion.
How long does an expired .us take to drop?
About 80 days.
Why is .us less popular than .com for US businesses?
.com has stronger brand recognition globally. Most US businesses default to .com when available.
Are there .us privacy services?
Limited. ICANN/registry rules restrict privacy proxies for ccTLDs more than for gTLDs.
Who runs .us?
Registry Services Corporation, currently managed by GoDaddy Registry.
Related TLDs
References
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