.ltd.uk domain requirements
A .ltd.uk domain is reserved for an eligible UK limited company and must be derived from its registered company name
The applicant must be an incorporated company listed at Companies House and entitled to use Limited, Ltd, cyfyngedig or cyf in its corporate name. The application needs the registered company name and company number, and Nominet’s naming rules determine the permitted domain label.
Who can register a .ltd.uk domain?
An incorporated company
The registrant must be an incorporated company on the Companies House register, not a sole trader, partnership or unincorporated organisation.
The correct company type
For .ltd.uk, the corporate name must be entitled to use Limited, Ltd, cyfyngedig or cyf.
Matching application details
Supply the full registered company name and company registration number. Be prepared to provide evidence if Nominet requests it.
An active company record
A later name change or dissolution can affect the registration, so keep domain and company information current.
How is the permitted .ltd.uk name created?
Nominet derives the third-level label from the official company name using its published sequence. It removes the company suffix, replaces ampersands and plus signs with the word “and”, removes punctuation and applies further normalisation rules.
- 1Start with the registered name
Use the exact active company name shown at Companies House.
- 2Remove the company suffix
Terms such as Limited or Ltd are removed from the end.
- 3Normalise characters
Ampersands and plus signs become “and”, while punctuation and marks are removed under the policy.
- 4Check availability and validity
The resulting label must still meet domain rules and be available for registration.
Simple examples
| Registered company name | Possible derived label | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Example Services Limited | exampleservices.ltd.uk | Subject to availability and the complete Nominet algorithm |
| Example & Sons Ltd | exampleandsons.ltd.uk | The ampersand is replaced by “and” |
| Example Trading (UK) Limited | Derived under the full policy | Do not guess when punctuation or qualifiers make the result uncertain |
What should you check before ordering?
Companies House record
Confirm the company is active and note the exact registered name and number.
Registrant identity
Register the domain to the eligible company, not only to a director, employee or trading name.
Expected spelling
If the correct derived label is unclear, ask support before paying rather than submitting repeated applications.
Alternative extensions
If you are not eligible, consider an unrestricted extension such as .co.uk or .uk.
.ltd.uk questions
Can a sole trader register .ltd.uk?
No. The registrant must meet Nominet’s incorporated-company requirements. A sole trader can consider .co.uk or .uk instead.
Can I choose any brand name?
No. The label must be derived from the registered company name using the Nominet algorithm.
What happens if the company changes its name?
Update the relevant records and seek guidance. Nominet’s policy allows action where a registrant company changes name, is dissolved or is removed from the active register.
Is .plc.uk the same?
It uses related rules but is for eligible public limited companies entitled to use the relevant PLC designation.
Ready to check a name?
Search the available UK domain options for your company
If the correct .ltd.uk label is uncertain, ask UKC support with the registered company name and number.