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.coop

.coop domain — meaning, price and how to register

Sponsored top-level domain (sTLD) · Updated

.coop in short

The .coop domain is a sponsored top-level domain (sTLD) reserved for genuine cooperative organisations and the bodies that serve them. It is operated by DotCooperation LLC and requires verification of cooperative status before you can register.

.coop at a glance

Extension
.coop
Type
sTLD — Sponsored top-level domain
Registry
DotCooperation LLC
Launched
2001
Country / scope
Generic — no country
Restrictions
Restricted — verified cooperatives and supporting organisations only
Typical price
Restricted
Example sites
co-op sites

Source: IANA root zone database & registry data · methodology

Where to register a .coop domain

Namecheap verified Porkbun verified Cloudflare Registrar at cost

Prices are indicative and set by each registrar; renewal rates may differ from first-year promotions. Links may be sponsored. tldlist.us is an independent reference and not a registrar.

What does .coop mean?

The .coop extension is the dedicated identity of the global cooperative movement — businesses owned and democratically run by their members. Launched in 2001 as one of the original sponsored TLDs, it is operated by DotCooperation LLC on behalf of the cooperative community. Unlike open extensions, .coop is a verified mark: only organisations that genuinely operate as cooperatives, and the bodies that support them, may hold one.

Who uses .coop?

Credit unions and cooperative banks, agricultural and food co-ops, retail and consumer cooperatives, housing co-ops, worker-owned businesses and the federations and associations that serve them. Because eligibility is checked, a .coop address publicly certifies that a business follows cooperative principles — a meaningful trust signal to members and customers who value that model.

.coop registration rules and requirements

Registration is restricted and verified. To qualify, your organisation must be a bona-fide cooperative (or a body that supports cooperatives) and must demonstrate this to the registry’s satisfaction during a verification step. General businesses, individuals and non-cooperative companies are not eligible. Registration is handled through registrars accredited for the sponsored namespace.

How much does a .coop cost?

Pricing is set through accredited registrars and is typically higher than an open gTLD, reflecting verification overhead — commonly in the tens of dollars per year. As with all sponsored TLDs, the binding constraint is eligibility, not price: without verified cooperative status you cannot register at any cost.

.coop pros and cons

Pros

  • Publicly certifies genuine cooperative status.
  • A trusted mark for credit unions and co-ops.
  • Verification keeps out non-cooperative impostors.
  • Purpose-built identity recognised across the movement.

Cons

  • Restricted — only verified cooperatives qualify.
  • Verification makes registration slower than open gTLDs.
  • Useless and unavailable to non-cooperative businesses.
  • Smaller and less publicly recognised than .com.

Example .coop websites

.coop — frequently asked questions

What is the .coop domain?
The .coop domain is a sponsored top-level domain (sTLD) reserved for genuine cooperative organisations and the bodies that serve them. It is operated by DotCooperation LLC and requires verification of cooperative status before you can register.
Who can register a .coop domain?
Only verified cooperative organisations and the bodies that support them. Your cooperative status must be demonstrated to the registry during verification; general businesses, individuals and non-cooperative companies are not eligible.
How do I register a .coop domain?
Apply through a registrar accredited for the .coop sponsored namespace and complete the registry’s verification of your cooperative status. Approved cooperatives can then register relevant names.
Is .coop open to any business?
No. .coop is a sponsored, restricted TLD limited to genuine cooperatives and their supporting organisations. A non-cooperative business cannot register it and would use an open extension such as .com or .company instead.