• i) Through a registrar
  You are encouraged to register a domain name through a .tz accredited registrar of your choice. Click here for a list of .tz accredited registrars.
• ii) Direct with tzNIC
  It is possible to register a domain name direct with tzNIC, but this requires specialist technical knowledge and equipment. In order to be eligible to register direct you must provide the Internet Protocol addresses of two name servers that are permanently connected to the Internet.

Step 1: First, choose a domain name you want to register.

Note that domain names may only contain letters (a-z), numbers (0-9) and a hyphen (-). The hyphen can’t be at the beginning or end of the name. Maximum length of a domain name is 63 characters. When you have your domain name ready, check that it is not used by anybody else; use the WHOIS - registry search. Note that currently the domain names are registered under .ac.tz, .go.tz, .ne.tz, .go.tz, .co.tz, .sc.tz and .mil.tz second levels ONLY. For more details refer to Rules for domain registration. When your domain name is free, continue to step 2; when it is not, but you think you have a legal right to it, go to domain name disputes resolutions – Policy and Rules. 

Step 2: Chose the registrar

The domain name registration system allows tzNIC and a number of registrars to register domains. Choose your registrar from the registrars list. Registrars are individuals, companies, ISPs with access to the registry, which administer domain names for users.

Step 3: Download and fill the registration form

Download the registration form and submit it electronically or by hand to the registrar of your choice. Note that your forms must specify the domain holder, administrative contact and technical contact. These may be different persons or one person, as their roles differs as follows: -

• The domain holder may change the domain name;
• The administrative contact may change all domain name information, with the exception of the domain holder;
• The technical contact may change the domain's technical settings;
• The same person may be used for all three roles, or up to 10 persons may be assigned individual roles (with the exception of the domain holder, which can only be one).

For each person, specify name, organization (if the holder is a legal entity), address, Email and Other contact information. Please make sure the Email address you specify is current and working, since this is where important information about domain names registered will be sent, such as expiration notifications, exclusion of domain from zone, technical test results, etc. Make sure you update the contact details when they change to avoid problems.

For those opting to register direct with tzNIC, the form can be electronically sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or hand delivered to our offices.

Step 4: Settle the registration and annual fee

In case the above steps are not clearly followed, the registrar will not be able to register your name. Under such situations, a domain registration failure note will be sent to the user or registrant clearly stating the reasons for the failure. The reasons could be “Domain name exists” or “you don’t have the rights to use the name”, etc.If there is no any problem with the details specified by the registrant in the registration form, a success notification will be sent to the registrant. Once such a notification is received, the registrant is supposed to pay for the registration and annual fees. A payment advisory should be sent to the registrar for the actual domain name registration.

Step 5: Domain registration

The last step is registration of the domain by registrar. This is done after confirmation of payment by the new registrant. The domain is ready for use after at most 3 days from the date when the payment advisory is received by the registrar.