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REMINDER NOTICE: 29 March is Last Day to Register as New gTLD Applicant

29 February 2012

In one month, ICANN will close registration in its TLD Application System (TAS).

As stated in Section 1.1.1 of the Applicant Guidebook “The user registration period closes at 23:59 UTC 29 March 2012. New users to TAS will not be accepted beyond this time. Users already registered will be able to complete the application submission process.”

This means that anyone planning to apply for a new gTLD must register and submit a TLD application request no later than 23:59 UTC on 29 March 2012. Whether you are a new user registering in TAS for the first time, or an existing registered user of TAS, this deadline is critical to ensure that your application is submitted on time.

Read the material below to ensure a complete understanding of applicant obligations.

Why Can’t Application Requests Be Submitted After 29 March if Applications Are Being Accepted Until 12 April?

Registration in TAS is technically the step that occurs before applying for a TLD. The 29 March deadline has been put in place to ensure applicants have sufficient time before the deadline of 23:59 UTC on 12 April 2012 to submit an application, which includes the following steps:

No

Steps

1

Applicant completes TAS user account information (user profile and applicant profile)

2

Applicant completes a TLD application request

3

ICANN conducts the Legal Compliance check (see Applicant Guidebook section 1.2.1 – Eligibility)

4

Applicant submits USD 5000 registration fee

5

ICANN confirms receipt of the USD 5000 registration fee

6

Applicant completes and submits the full application and remaining evaluation fee amount of USD 180000

7

ICANN confirms receipt of the USD 180000 registration fee

How does this impact …

  • New Users Who Plan on Submitting a Single Application?
  • If you plan on submitting a single application and have never registered in the TLD Application System, 29 March is the last day to complete the TAS user account information (i.e., step 1) and request a TLD application (i.e., step 2) as highlighted above.

  • New Users Who Plan on Submitting Multiple Applications?
  • Only existing TAS Users can request more than one TLD application (i.e. step 2) under a single TAS account.  An existing registered TAS user is defined as someone who has completed steps 1 through 5 and has received their TAS credentials - see Existing Registered TAS Users below. 

    Accordingly, ICANN recommends that organizations wishing to submit several TLD applications under a single TAS user account complete steps 1 and 2 several days (e.g. 5 to 7 business days) in advance of 29 March.

  • Existing Registered TAS Users?
  • If you are an existing registered TAS user (i.e., completed steps 1 through 5 and have received your TAS credentials), 29 March is the last day you can complete Step 2 for up to 49 additional TLD applications under a single TAS user account. If you have already requested as many applications as you need, no further actions are required.

    To be clear, you will not be able to request additional TLD applications after 23:59 UTC on 29 March. 

Should the USD 5,000 Registration Fee Be Paid by 29 March?

Generally, yes. It is in the best interest of the prospective applicant to pay the USD 5000 registration fee prior to 29 March.  Due to the unknown time for ICANN to receive wire transfers from your bank, there may be delays in obtaining your TAS credentials and/or new TLD applications.  Delays will impact how much time there is to complete steps 6 and 7 – both of which must be done for all TLD applications no later than 23:59 UTC on 12 April 2012.

Additional Information

The information above is explained in more detail in the TAS User Guide [PDF, 8.1 MB].

For additional information on the Application Processes and TAS please see: