Setting up a free *.city.state.us locality domain
Discover how to snag a free *.city.state.us locality domain, a little-known digital perk from the internet's early days. This guide meticulously walks through the bureaucratic hoops and technical setup, including using AWS Lightsail for free nameservers. It's a perfect deep dive for those who love uncovering niche domain hacks and reclaiming a piece of digital Americana.
The Lowdown
This article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to acquire a free *.city.state.us locality domain, a unique web address structure tied to specific geographical locations within the United States. Originating in 1992, these domains offer a distinct personal or organizational identifier, though their registration process involves navigating some legacy systems and specific requirements.
- Understanding Locality Domains: These domains, like
yourname.city.state.us, are associated with US locations and require the registrant to be a US citizen, permanent resident, or a US-incorporated/present organization. - Choosing Your Domain: The first step involves identifying if your desired locality domain (e.g.,
seattle.wa.us) has a delegated registrar. An outdated list is provided, requiring some manual hunting for current contact information. If your specific locality isn't delegated,gen.your-state.usis an alternative for 'general independent entities'. - Acquiring Nameservers: Unlike standard domains, you need nameservers before registration. The guide recommends Amazon Lightsail, explaining how to set up a free DNS zone to obtain the necessary nameserver addresses.
- Filling the Registration Form: The core of the process is completing the 'Interim .US Domain Template v2.0'. The author provides specific guidance for each tricky section, from the fully-qualified domain name to using personal details for organizational info, and correctly inputting the Lightsail nameservers and IP addresses.
- Submission and Waiting: The completed form is then emailed to the relevant locality domain registrar. The article notes this is a manual process that can take days or weeks for confirmation.
- Final DNS Setup: Once the domain is registered, users return to Lightsail to configure DNS records, pointing their new locality domain to their desired web host or service.
- FAQ & Considerations: The article briefly addresses common questions, confirming that personal addresses are typically not exposed via WHOIS and noting ambiguity around strict locality residency requirements.
By following these detailed instructions, users can successfully register a personalized locality domain, leveraging free services like Amazon Lightsail for essential infrastructure. This process not only grants a unique online identity but also offers a glimpse into a less-traveled, historically significant part of the internet's domain infrastructure.