How to Register a .com.tr Domain

Short answer: under current rules, you can register a .com.tr domain through any registrar authorised by Türkiye's Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), without submitting documents, on a first-come, first-served basis. The process is usually a short online step plus identity verification.

A few years ago it was different. Getting a .com.tr meant submitting a trademark certificate, company title or similar document, and the application could take days. We still hear clients ask “don't you need documents for .com.tr?”; under the current rules, you don't.

What is TRABİS?

TRABİS is the national system that manages .tr domains. This used to be handled by nic.tr at Middle East Technical University; a few years ago management moved to TRABİS, set up by BTK. With that change, extensions such as .com.tr, .net.tr and .org.tr started being allocated without documents.

Not every .tr extension is document-free. Extensions like .av.tr (lawyers), .dr.tr (doctors), .gov.tr and .edu.tr still require documents; the applicant has to prove eligibility for the extension and complete additional verification steps. Check your registrar's and TRABİS's current rules for details.

You don't buy the domain directly from TRABİS but from a registrar on BTK's list. Many hosting and domain companies in Türkiye are on it.

Step-by-step registration

1. Choose a registrar. BTK's website has the current list of authorised registrars. Price, ease of use and quality of support vary between them.

2. Check the name. Type the name you want into the registrar's search box and see whether it's free. We covered what to look for when choosing a name in our domain selection post.

3. Enter the application details. For an individual, you'll be asked for your full name and Turkish ID number; for a company, details such as the trade name and tax ID. These details determine the owner of the domain, so enter them accurately.

4. Pay and complete identity verification. The registrar may ask for an extra step to verify the applicant's identity. The method can vary by registrar.

5. Set up DNS. Once the domain is registered, you need to point its DNS records to your hosting so your site and email work. We cover this step separately in our post on DNS settings.

Individual or company?

Whoever the domain is registered to is its owner. If you work as a sole trader, registering it in your own name is natural. If you have a limited or joint-stock company, registering it in the company's name is often more practical; when the partnership changes or the business is sold, it's much easier if the domain stays with the company. If your situation is unusual, talk to your accountant or lawyer.

A common problem: the domain was registered in the name of an employee, an agency or a family member. Starting with the right name on day one is far easier than dealing with a transfer of ownership later.

Renewal and transfer

Domains are registered for one year or longer and must be renewed before they expire. Turn on auto-renewal and make sure the contact email at your registrar is current. An expired domain is released after a certain period, and anyone can register it.

Moving a domain to another registrar (a transfer) is possible. It doesn't change ownership; it only changes the company you manage the domain through. Passing ownership to another person or company is a separate assignment process.

Regulations and registrar practices can change. Before applying, we recommend checking BTK's current announcements and your registrar's help pages.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for legal, financial or tax advice. For your own situation, consult a lawyer or a certified accountant.