Is owning a .gov.uk domain a mandatory requirement for councils?
Authors: Will Christmas, Sandra Lowe - Parish Council Domains Helper Service, Cabinet Office
It is a common misconception that owning a .gov.uk domain is a mandatory requirement for all councils. This is not the case. However, using a .gov.uk domain for council business, email, and your website is absolutely a sign of good practice, trust and professionalism.
Local (parish and town councils) considering a move to a .gov.uk domain but unsure of their obligations should refer to the latest Practitioners’ Guide. In strengthened language for the 2024 edition, the guide states that ‘community, suppliers and partners will now reasonably expect a local council to have a .gov.uk domain.’ Section 5.212 provides full details, and there is an important note in Section 1.26 about the use of email for council business.
Councils with a .gov.uk domain benefit from:
- Robust security measures and monitoring for cyber vulnerabilities by the Cabinet Office
- Emails that are immediately recognisable as legitimate and trustworthy by the recipient
- Separation of personal and professional communications - recipients will always understand the capacity in which you are emailing
- Administrative control over email accounts for easy management of change (new joiners, leavers, sudden absences) as well as Freedom of Information / Subject Access Requests
- Peace of mind that your council’s .gov.uk domain will never be sold to another organisation should it not be renewed on time
The Parish Council Domains Helper Service is available for local councils aspiring to use a .gov.uk domain. Tailored support is available at every step of the process, from initial decision-making and choosing the right .gov.uk Approved Registrar for your council, all the way through to setting up your new domain and maintaining good practices. Virtual sessions are accompanied by guides containing checklists, templates, and detailed, practical information.
To register your interest, complete this short form, and the Parish Council Domains Helper Service will send you a welcome pack and an invitation to join one of our introductory sessions. Councillors and clerks are welcome to come along to learn more; there is no obligation to move forward with a new domain by attending. Questions can also be directed to
