How long does .al registration take?

The timeline in one table

The 1–3 business days is what we see in practice for applications with complete documentation. It is not a guaranteed deadline: weekends and holidays do not count as business days, and an application returned for completion takes longer.

The steps one by one

1. Search for the name

Type the name into the search box and see whether it is available. If the result says “cannot be registered”, the name is on AKEP's list of reserved or prohibited names and you need to choose another one. Read how to check a .al domain.

2. Complete the order

Choose a period from 1 to 10 years and fill in the details of the registrant and of the administrative and technical contacts: full name or company name, address, email and phone. The registrant's email is critical, because expiry notices and transfer confirmations are sent to it.

3. Upload the documents

Individuals need a valid identity document. Companies need the QKB extract. NGOs provide their registration decision or extract, while foreign entities provide an equivalent registration document. The full list is in required documents.

4. Verification by AKEP

The application goes to AKEP for verification. In practice approval happens within 1–3 business days, depending on how complete the documentation is. If a document is missing or the data does not match, the application is returned for completion, so keep an eye on the registrant's email.

5. Activation

After approval the domain is activated and appears in your client area, where you can configure DNS.

What delays an application

Most delays have nothing to do with AKEP and everything to do with the application itself. The most common causes:

• A missing document. The application is returned for completion and verification takes longer.
• Data that does not match. For a company, the name on the QKB extract must match the registrant name. For an individual, the details on the document must match the registrant contact.
• Inaccurate data. No domain name is registered with false data, and false declarations are a criminal offence under the Criminal Code.
• A wrong or unreachable email. If you do not receive our messages, you cannot react quickly when something needs to be completed.

So that the name does not end up in a rejected application, also check the DPPI register: approved trademark names that exactly match a .al domain are reserved for the trademark owner. If the application is not approved by AKEP, your payment is refunded; if it is approved, no refund is made.

After approval: DNS and the website

Once the domain is active, there are two ways to connect it to your website and email: set the nameservers of your hosting provider, or keep the DNS managed by UpFlare and add A, CNAME, MX and TXT records from the panel at no extra cost.

DNS changes are not instant. Nameservers can take up to 24–48 hours to propagate fully, while individual records usually update within the configured TTL, often 1–4 hours. The full guide is in DNS and nameservers.

Remember the usage rule: under the regulation, a .al domain that is not put into use for 1 year from the registration or renewal date may become free. Connect the domain to a website or email as soon as you can.

Renewal and transfer

Renewing an existing domain is done from the client area at the same price as registration: €8.99 per year for .al and €9.99 for .com.al, .net.al and .org.al, excluding VAT. We recommend renewing at least 30 days before expiry. Read more in renewing a .al domain.

To transfer from another registrar you need the authorisation code (EPP / AUTH Code), which must be used within 24 hours of being issued. See the transfer guide.

Frequently asked questions