Registering a domain name

Find out how you can register your own ".bb" domain. The official ccTLD of Barbados.

Table of Contents

What is a domain name?

A domain name is the unique address that identifies a website. It's what you type into a browser to visit a website, like barbadosdigital.com. Each domain name belongs to a particular top-level domain (TLD), such as .com. In addition to these generic TLDs, most countries also have at least one country-code top-level domain (ccTLD), such as .bb.

If you're interested in registering a domain for a particular country, choosing the right ccTLD shows that your website is affiliated with that country, which can be important for local businesses or for targeting audiences in specific regions.

Please note registering a domain name is not the same as creating a website. A domain name acts as a pointer to a resource on the Internet, such as a website. Once you have a domain name, you need to find a website hosting provider, like Squarespace or WordPress.

How to register a ".bb" domain name

You need to fill out Form TU052 and send it to the Telecommunications Unit of the Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology.

If your application is accepted, you are granted a licence for one year. If you wish to maintain your domain name for another year afterwards, you can apply for a renewal of your licence before the expiration date using the same form, making sure to check the option to indicate that you are renewing your licence.

The licence fee is BBD $120 per year. [1]

Online Application

You can submit an electronic application via the online application form. If your application is approved, you will receive an e-mail from a Telecommunications Engineer directing you to pay the licence fee via EZpay+, the official payment gateway of the Barbados Government.

Please wait until you receive confirmation of approval from the Telecommunications Unit before you pay the licence fee.

Postal Application

You can submit a physical application by printing out and completing Form TU052, and posting it to:

Chief Telecommunications Officer
Telecommunications Unit
Country Road
St. Michael
Barbados BB11081
West Indies

You must include a cheque payable to the Chief Telecommunications Officer for the amount of BBD $120 or USD $62. [1]

[1] Annual licence fee pursuant to Part II of the Second Schedule to the Telecommunications (Licence Fees) Regulations, 2003, as amended.

Frequently asked questions

If you submitted an online application and have not received a response after 3 working days, please e-mail the Telecommunications Unit: [email protected]. If your request is urgent, try calling +1 (246) 535-1275.

For postal applications, we recommend waiting at least 10 working days before contacting the Telecommunications Unit. If you posted your application from overseas, it may take more than 20 working days for your mail to arrive in Barbados.

You are free to choose whether or not to submit an application to renew a domain registration. However, if you do not renew your domain name before it expires, your website will stop working and the Telecommunications Unit may remove your domain name from its registry.

Please note a domain name does not remain permanently reserved. If you do not renew your domain name before it expires, it will become available for anyone to register and use.

Domain names cannot be cancelled once registered. Refunds will not be granted by the Telecommunications Unit unless required by Barbadian law.

If you no longer want your domain name, you can allow it to expire. There is no obligation to renew a domain registration licence.

You will have the opportunity to specify the nameservers as part of your registration application. We recommend using CloudFlare as your DNS provider.

If you need to change your nameservers after registration, you will need to submit your request by e-mail to the Telecommunications Unit: [email protected]. If your request is urgent, try calling +1 (246) 535-1275.