.catholic gTLD
The .catholic TLD is a community-focused domain reserved for entities affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. It was created to provide an official online space for the Holy See, dioceses, religious orders, and other Catholic institutions recognized by the Vatican. While the term 'catholic' is sometimes used more broadly, this TLD is specifically managed by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications on behalf of the Holy See.
Registration is restricted to the Pontificium Consilium de Comunicationibus Socialibus (PCCS) and its officially recognized affiliates, such as dioceses, religious orders, and Catholic institutions listed in the Annuario Pontificio.
.catholic Domain Overview
The .catholic extension is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) in the Domain Name System (DNS). It is managed by ARI Registry Services. .catholic was introduced in 2016. There are currently 30 domains registered under this extension. DNSSEC adoption stands at 16.7%.
Registration Info
Registration pricing for .catholic is not publicly listed. Contact an ICANN-accredited registrar for availability and pricing.
Security Features
- DNSSEC
- CAA Record Support
What Is the History of .catholic?
The .catholic TLD was approved under ICANN's New gTLD Program in 2016 and delegated to the Pontificium Consilium de Comunicationibus Socialibus (PCCS), a department of the Holy See. The application faced objections over the use of the term 'catholic,' with some arguing it could represent other Christian traditions. However, the Independent Objector concluded that the Holy See represents the vast majority of Catholics and is appropriately positioned to manage the TLD.
Did you know?
The .catholic TLD serves a specific purpose in the domain ecosystem, providing users with clear context about the websites using this extension.
What Is .catholic Used For?
The .catholic TLD is commonly used for the following purposes:
Official Church websites
Diocesan portals
Religious order communications
Catholic education institutions
Vatican communications
Popular Websites
How Many .catholic Domains Are Registered?
Total Registrations
30
DNSSEC Adoption
16.7%
Alternative TLDs
If .catholic doesn't meet your needs, consider these alternatives:
How Does .catholic Compare?
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Extension | .catholic |
| Type | Generic TLD (gTLD) |
| Total Registrations | 30 |
| DNSSEC Adoption | 16.7% |
| Registration Price | Contact registrar |
| Renewal Price | Contact registrar |
| Registry Operator | ARI Registry Services |
| Introduced | 2016-11-16 |
| Restrictions | Registration is restricted to the Pontificium Consilium de Comunicationibus Socialibus (PCCS) and its officially recognized affiliates, such as dioceses, religious orders, and Catholic institutions listed in the Annuario Pontificio. |
How Available Are .catholic Domain Names?
Registration density analysis for .catholic domains by character length. Currently 18 domains are registered across all lengths.
Total Registered
18
Peak Saturation
0.02%
3-char names
DNSSEC Adoption
22.2%
Top Provider
—
| Length | Registered | % Full | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 chars | 3 | 0.02% | |
| 4 chars | 1 | <0.01% | |
| 5 chars | 1 | <0.01% | |
| 6 chars | 1 | <0.01% | |
| 7 chars | 4 | <0.01% | |
| 8 chars | 2 | <0.01% | |
| 9 chars | 1 | <0.01% | |
| 10 chars | 3 | <0.01% | |
| 11 chars | 1 | <0.01% | |
| 12 chars | 1 | <0.01% |
Updated daily from zone file analysis. Alpha density = registered / 26^length.
Compare across all TLDs →How Do I Register a .catholic Domain?
Eligibility
Applicants must be formally recognized by the Holy See as a Catholic institution, as listed in the Annuario Pontificio. Registration is granted solely at the discretion of the Pontificium Consilium de Comunicationibus Socialibus (PCCS).
Open Registration
The .catholic TLD is available for registration through accredited domain registrars.
Registration Process
- Choose an accredited domain registrar that offers .catholic domains
- Check domain availability using the registrar's search tool
- Complete the registration process and provide required information
- Pay the registration fee (typically )
- Manage your domain settings through your registrar's control panel
.catholic vs Related Domain Extensions
How does .catholic compare to similar top-level domains? This comparison covers pricing, type, and availability to help choose the right domain extension.
View the full TLD Directory to browse all 1,900+ top-level domains with pricing, registration density analysis, and DNSSEC adoption rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Is This .catholic Data Compiled?
DNS Checker maintains a comprehensive TLD directory covering all 1,900+ active top-level domains. The data on this page combines multiple authoritative sources to provide information not found in standard TLD listings.
Zone File Analysis
Domain registration counts and density analysis are computed daily from TLD zone files, providing accurate registration statistics rather than estimates.
DNSSEC Adoption Tracking
DNSSEC deployment percentages are measured by scanning actual DNS records across all registered domains in each TLD zone.
Registrar Price Monitoring
Registration, renewal, and transfer prices are checked hourly across multiple accredited registrars and compared automatically.
Provider Market Share
DNS provider distribution is calculated from nameserver records, showing which hosting providers serve the most domains in each TLD.
Use DNS Checker tools to inspect any .catholic domain: run a full DNS health check, check DNS propagation, look up WHOIS records, or verify email authentication.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is sourced from IANA, ICANN, and respective registry operator publications, then structured and formatted with the assistance of AI. While accuracy is a priority, details such as pricing, registration requirements, and policies may change. Always verify with the official registry or an accredited registrar before making registration decisions.