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How to Choose Your .ee Domain Registrar

How do you choose a .ee registrar?

Short answer: pick a provider from the list of accredited .ee registrars. You'll find the full list on our Accredited .ee registrars page.

Why accredited registrars? They've completed our official accreditation process and signed a registrar agreement to provide .ee registration services. That means the Estonian Internet Foundation has checked their technical and legal competence and keeps them under ongoing supervision.

The list also shows three extra markers worth knowing:

• "EP" mark - this registrar is an Elite Partner, our highest quality tier.
• Green lock icon - this registrar offers the DNSSEC security extension, which helps protect your website.
• ">1" mark - this registrar lets you register a domain for less than the standard one-year term. Handy for a short-term project or event.

Who owns your domain?

Here's the second core principle: the domain owner should be you or your company, not a web or marketing agency. When you're the domain owner and admin contact, you keep control over the name and how it's used.

Some providers on the market aren't accredited .ee registrars, yet they still offer full-service digital packages that include domain registration. The problem shows up when the domain gets registered in the provider's name instead of the client's.

That might look convenient at first. In practice, it means someone else holds control over your domain and, with it, your company's digital identity. Worst case, this leads to domain hijacking, refusal to transfer the domain to its rightful owner, or deliberately letting the domain lapse. If your domain sits behind a working online store, a known brand, or years of work, a decision made without knowing the risks can carry serious consequences. And if the provider isn't an accredited .ee registrar, the Estonian Internet Foundation has limited power to step in.

This doesn't mean your web developer shouldn't manage your domain at all. They can, as long as it's set up the right way. A provider can handle technical domain management, DNS records, or website configuration without any issue. Just make sure the domain owner stays you or your company.

3 reasons to choose an accredited .ee registrar

• The service is trustworthy and transparent. An accredited registrar operates through the official .ee registry system and follows its rules. That makes domain management clearer and more secure.
• You keep real control of your domain. Through an accredited registrar, you can be sure your domain is registered in your name or your company's, not the provider's. You'll also have a clear view of how to access your DNS records and contract details.
• You avoid disputes and roadblocks down the line. When your domain details are correct and you hold control, it's easier to make changes, renew the domain, or switch registrars if you need to.

The bottom line

Choosing the right provider deserves the same attention as choosing your domain name. Register your .ee domain with one of our 50-plus local and international accredited registrars, so your digital identity stays in good hands.