What is a domain name?

A domain name is the first thing you need to have your website or your customized email.

Its purpose is to identify, locate and remember your space in Internet.

For example:

yourbrand .gt
yourcompany .com.gt
yourorganization .org.gt
yoursite.net.gt
yourschool .edu.gt
yourname .ind.gt

What is the use of a domain name?

A domain name helps to easily identify any device that is connected to Internet, in contrast to to identifying them with an IP address.

Why domain names do not begin with “www.”?

An Internet address such as http://www.mydomain .com.gt is divided into the following parts:
gt: Top Level [in this case the ccTLD of Guatemala]
com: Second Level
mydomain: Domain Name [Third Level]
www: The machine name [in this case a Web Server]
http://: Communication protocol

In summary, the domain name is only mydomain.com.gt, any other element to the left of this domain name identifies a machine.

For example, some machine names could be:
ns1.mydomain.com.gt
backup.management.mydomain .com.gt

From the above, all that is bold is beyond the scope of the .gt Registry

What is a second level domain name?

Is a domain name that is directly under the .gt
For example: mydomain.gt

What does .gt mean?

The termination .gt is the suffix or identifier that groups all domains registered in the domain names registry administered by the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG) corresponding to the country code for Guatemala designated by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).

GT is the ISO 3166 code for the two letter abbreviation of Guatemala.

Are domain names ending with .gt visible only in the Republic of Guatemala?

No. Domain names ending with .gt can be seen from anywhere in the world. The termination .gt simply identifies that the domain name is registered in the Republic of Guatemala.

What is the registration policy for the delegation of domain names?

The general policy to register a domain name is first come, first served.

Para los nombres de dominio restringidos (.edu.gt, .gob.gt y .mil.gt) se solicita la documentación que pruebe la afiliación de su institución para poder optar a uno de ellos.

For more information read our registration policies.

How do I register a .gt domain name?

For more information go to the section Procedures.

Which .gt domain names are exempt of charge?

The domain names .gob.gt, .edu.gt and .mil.gt are exempt of any fees.*

* Irrefutable proof of belonging to the corresponding sector is required. Only ONE domain name will be delegated free of charge per institution. Any additional domain name will have the same fee as a domain name .com.gt.

How can I acquire a .gob.gt domain name?

To request a domain name .gob.gt the following documents are required:
1. Copy of a document from the competent authority indicating the creation of the governmental dependency.
2. Copy of a document stating that the person is, indeed, the legal representative.
3. Copy of the document of identification belonging to the legal representative.

Note: The documents mentioned above can be delivered by: email to admin@cctld.gt or Hard Copy. The fact of delivering the documents, constitutes acceptance of the conditions and terms vested in the Terms of Service, as well as the registration policies and dispute policy.

How can I acquire a .edu.gt domain name?

To request a domain name .edu.gt the following documents are required:
1. Copy of a document from the competent authority indicating that the entity actually pertains to an educational institution. **
2. Copy of a document stating that the person is, indeed, the director or legal representative.
3. Copy of the document of identification belonging to the director or legal representative.

** Initial Education: Approval from the Social Welfare Secretariat of the Presidency.
** Middle and High Schools: Approval from Ministry of Education.
** Universities: Approval from Council of Private Higher Education (CEPS).

Note: The documents mentioned above can be delivered by: email to admin@cctld.gt or Hard Copy. The fact of delivering the documents, constitutes acceptance of the conditions and terms vested in the Terms of Service, as well as the registration policies and dispute policy.

How can I acquire a .mil.gt domain name?

UVG has signed an agreement for the administration of .mil.gt domains. From 2018, those who are interested in aquiring or updating .mil.gt domain names must contact:
- Systems Section of the Communications and Information Command
- 21 Calle 9-40. Colonia Aurora II. Zona 13. Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala, Guatemala.
- Tel. +502.22913232
- Email dominios@mindef.mil.gt

How much does a domain name cost?

For more information go to fees.

How many years can I pay for a domain name?

There is no superior limit of years to renew your domain name.
The minimum payment is one year.

How many domain names can be registered by the same holder?

There is no limit to the number of domain names that can be registered by the same holder.

What is the responsability of each type of contact?

1. Administrative Contact: Person who may request changes related to the organization to which the domain name is delegated, contacts and&or DNS servers.
2. Technical Contact: Person who may request changes related to DNS servers.
3. Billing Contact: Person who will receive the domain name renewal notifications.

How can I change a contact registered to my domain name?

For more information go to Procedures in the section Change of Data.

How do I know who the Administrative Contact of a domain name is?

Type the domain name in the search engine and when the results come up select the domain name to see the information registered.

What is a DNS server?

A DNS server points to the place where all the information of your space in Internet can be found, including web page service, email service, among others. To be able to do this it stores a database that stores the names of the machines with such services and their IP addresses.

This server can be anywhere in the world. If your company doesn't have an IT department, you can hire a web hosting.

What is a web hosting?

The web hosting is a service provided by a company whereby they grant you space in a server to be able to store the content of your web page (files, images, information, etc) and/or have email service, linked to your domain name.

Does registering a .gt domain name includes additional services such as email and/or web hosting?

No. The .gt Domain Name Registry only links de domain name to the DNS servers, provided by the web hosting or the IT department in your company, and broadcast this information throughout the World.

Can you recommend a reliable hosting provider?

The .gt Domain Name Registry does not provide any recommendation as there is no relationship with the hosting providers.

Do I need to have a website and/or hosting service to register a domain name?

No. To register a domain name you just need to fill the information of the organization [to which the domain name will be delegated] and the three contacts: administrative, technical and billing.

When you have your hosting service, you can send us by email (admin@cctld.gt) the information of your hosting DNSs to start bradcasting your domain name.

What to do if you don't have DNSs?

To register a domain name you just need to fill the information of the organization [to which the domain name will be delegated] and the three contacts: administrative, technical and billing.

When you have this information, you can send it by email (admin@cctld.gt) to add it to your domain name and start brocasting it to the world.

How can I change the DNSs of my domain name?

For more information go to Procedures in the section Change of Data.

Does the order of the DNS (Domain Name Servers) affect the operation of the Domain Name?

No. The order of the DNS (Domain Name Servers) in the Registry of the ccTLD .gt does not affect the operation of the Domain Name. For purposes of name resolution, which is the main function of the ccTLD .gt, all published DNSs are symmetrical.

It is necessary that all registered DNSs have the same information, ie they are synchronized for better performance.

What is a self named DNS?

A self named DNS is a DNS that has at the end of its name the domain name that is being assigned to.

For example: For the domain name mydomain .com.gt we could have the following DNSs:
ns1.mydomain.com.gt
ns2.mydomain.com.gt

For the resolution of the domain name it is necessary to provide to the .gt Domain Registry the information of the public IP numbers corresponding to the self named DNSs.

From where do we get the IPs of the DNSs that are not self named DNSs?

The information displayed on our website about IP numbers of DNSs that are not self named DNSs, is obtained through an instant query to those servers.

We do not store the IP numbers of these types of servers, since they are not used by the .gt Registry for name resolution.

What is the schedule for updates and domain name unblocking?

Replication begins every hour on the hour.

What DNS records can be configured within the DNS at .gt?

The only DNS records that can be configured within at .gt Registry are:
1. NS: Which associates a domain name to a DNS.
2. A: Which associates an IPv4 number to a DNS, for self named DNSs.
3. AAAA:Which associates an IPv6 number to a DNS, for self named DNSs.

What can I do if I mistakenly reserved a domain name but I haven't paid for it?

You can reserve the correct domain name if it is available.
The mistakenly reserved domain name will be eliminated automatically after 4 calendar days.

What can I do if I mistakenly reserved a domain name and I have already paid?

Unfortunately the process cannot be reverted. The fact of making the payment constitutes acceptance of the conditions and terms vested in the Terms of Service, as well as the registration policies and dispute policy.

Processed payments are not refundable nor transferable.

Can I change the name of my domain once I have paid it?

No. Our policies do not allow the change of the name of a domain once paid.
If you want another domain name you must register it and pay accordingly.

How can I pay a domain name?

1. Credit Card (through this site)
2. At our office at 18 Ave. 11-95 Zona 15, V.H. III. Office II2-108.
3. Monetary deposit at Banco Industrial.
4. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
For more information go to fees.

Can I pay through Bi Banking?

Yes, you can pay through Banking Bi, but you must send us a ScreenShot or Printscreen which shows the authorization of the transaction by email (admin@cctld.gt) indicating the domain name to which the payment must be applied.

What can I do if I have problems while making a credit card payment through the website?

Clear your browser's cache [in the history section]. Then close the browser and reopen it. Do not have more than one tab open with our website to make the payment.

If after doing this you still have problems, contact your credit card issuer.

How many days do I have to pay for a reserved domain name?

You have 4 calendar days to pay for your reserved domain name, otherwise you will lose the reservation.

How long does it take to register a domain name once the payment is received?

- If paying by credit card through our website, the registration is automatic and immediate.
- If paying by bank deposit, the registration is done in a maximum of 4 working hours from the time we receive the scanned ticket at our email: admin@cctld.gt.
- If paying by electronic fund transfer, you should report the payment to us by email (admin@cctld.gt). The registration is done at the time of the bank's confirmation of receipt, it make take 3 to 7 working days.

For more information go to fees.

How do I check the expiration date for my domain name?

Type the domain name in the search engine and when the results come up select the domain name to see the information registered.

If my domain name has expired, how much time do I have to pay the renewal?

- You have 15 calendar days before it is blocked.
- After the domain name is blocked, you have 15 calendar days before it is deleted.
We kindly remind you that the minimum payment is one year.

May I renew my domain name before the expiration date?

- Paid domain names can be renewed at any time.
- Domain names free of charge can be renewed 3 months before their expiration date.

Is it possible to change the day and month of the expiration date of a domain name?

No, this date is established the day when the payment of the registration is made.

How do I renew a domain name that is expired or blocked?

Paying a minimum of one year by any of the available methods of payment.
For more information go to fees.

May I cancel a domain name before the expiration date?

Yes, by sending an email to admin@cctld.gt from the administrative contact email that you have registered with us, or a signed and sealed letter from the Legal Representative, requesting to terminate it. Upon reception we will proceed to cancel the delegation of the domain name.

How many days my domain name will be blocked before deletion?

After the domain name is blocked, you have 15 calendar days before it is deleted.

How can I recover a domain name that has been deleted?

If the domain name is still available, you must do the registration process again on our website. If it isn't available, see more information here.

How long does it take to unblock a domain name afer paying the fee?

After the payment is registered in our system, the announcement of the DNS starts on the next hour by the hour, but the replication throught the world could take from 24 to 48 hours.
- If paying by credit card through our website, the registration is automatic and immediate.
- If paying by bank deposit, the registration is done in a maximum of 4 working hours from the time we receive the scanned ticket at our email: admin@cctld.gt.
- If paying by electronic fund transfer, you should report the payment to us by email (admin@cctld.gt). The registration is done at the time of the bank's confirmation of receipt, it make take 3 to 7 working days.

For more information go to fees.

Why do you issue a receipt instead of a bill?

UVG is exempted of payment of taxes according to Article 88 of the Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala, "the Exemption of Taxes and Duties", therefore, only a receipt can be issued.

How can I get my receipt of payment?

The document will be automatically sent to the email addresses registered as the administrative contact and billing contact for the domain name. You don't need to take any further action. However, if you don't receive the receipt within a maximum of 48 hours, we recommend checking your spam or junk mail folder. If you still can't find the receipt, please contact us directly at admin@cctld.gt.

What can I do to get a domain name transfered?

If the holder of the domain name agrees to transfer the domain name, read our change of data policy.

What can I do if the holder of a domain name doesn't want to transfer it to me?

The UVG, in its capacity as registry of Internet domain names within the ccTLD .gt, is not empowered and can not evaluate, review or investigate the right that has each applicant/holder to use or register each domain name in the ccTLD .gt.

For this reason, the UVG, as part of the domain name system in the Internet, has adopted the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy approved by ICANN.

The ICANN has a list of Arbitration and Mediation Center authorized to manage conflicts over domain name registrations on the Internet. From these, for the ease with which they work in the Spanish language, the UVG has made arrangements with WIPO to be your Arbitration and Mediation Center who handles disputes arising within the Internet domain of the ccTLD .gt, see our dispute policy.

What are IDNs?

"IDN is the short name for an Internationalized Domain Name. These domain names are represented by local language characters. Such domain names could contain characters with diacritical marks as required by many European languages, or characters from non-Latin scripts (for example, Arabic or Chinese)." *

In the case of ccTLD .gt domain names, the following letters in the Spanish language are available for the domain names: á, é, í, ó, ú, ü and ñ

To register an IDN write it as it is in Spanish while searching for its availability.

* For more information see factsheet-idn-program-05jun09.pdf

Why are IDNs important?

In the case of Guatemala, the importance lies in the correct spelling of Spanish.
To have the domain name pinacolada.com.gt is completely different from having piñacolada.com.gt.

Can IDNs be used for email addresses?

Internationalized Domain Names have greater application for browsing web sites, since most Internet browsers handle them correctly. By contrast, the majority of email clients still do not handle well the new encoding.

Therefore we recommend you use an ASCII domain name (traditional) for e-mail addresses.

Are IDNs available as second level domain names?

Yes, of course. For example: piñacolada.gt

What is the ASCII code?

"ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) is a common numerical code for computers and other devices that work with text. Computers can only understand numbers, so an ASCII code is the numerical representation of a character such as a, @, etc. When used in relation to ASCII TLDs or ASCII domain names, this refers to the fact that before internationalization only the sets: "*

1. Letters: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
2. Digits: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
3. Symbols: -

* For more information see factsheet-idn-program-05jun09.pdf

What is the Punycode?

"This is the sequence of ASCII characters all IDNs will be encoded into in order for the Domain Name System (DNS) to understand and manage the names. The intention is that domain name registrants and users will never see this decoded form of a domain name. The sole purpose is for the DNS to be able to resolve for example a web address containing local characters. The DNS is only capable of handling characters ASCII ." *

For example, for the domain name piñacolada.com.gt the punycode version is xn--piacolada-m6a.com.gt.
To convert your internationalized domain name to punycode use our IDN tool.

"The prefix for the punycode version of the domain names is always xn--. Hence this prefix is reserved at the registry level to avoid confusion in registration of IDNs" *

To register an IDN write it as it is in Spanish while searching for its availability.

* For more information see factsheet-idn-program-05jun09.pdf

What do I need to get my website and/or email service?