Published: 17.10.2026
The .cv extension is the country-code domain of Cape Verde, also written Cabo Verde, an island country in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa. Its capital is Praia, and Portuguese is the official language, while Cape Verdean Creole is the everyday language of many people. Guesthouses, musicians, shops and island businesses use .cv to show their roots. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .cv is still free.
Check if a .cv domain is available .cv Check
A short history
The national code was set up in the early days of the internet. Over time the zone grew with the spread of small businesses, cultural groups and tourism operators, and the ending now appears on guesthouses, music labels and local shops across the islands. Public information on the early years is limited, so the registry's own pages are the best place to check dates and rules.
Who runs it
The zone is managed by a registry operator that keeps the database of names and sets the rules for registration. Registrars sell names to customers and send the orders to the registry. The operator's published terms cover eligibility, contact details and renewal, and they may be updated, so they are the reference to check before you pay.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the registry may set requirements for holders, so check whether you meet them before you order.
- Contact details: the holder information must be correct, and the registrar may ask you to confirm it.
- Characters: names use letters, digits and hyphens, and each label can be up to 63 characters long.
- Renewal: enable auto-renewal and keep a current e-mail address on the account, so that reminders reach the holder in time.
Who uses .cv
- Guesthouses, hotels and tour operators on the islands of Santiago, São Vicente and Sal.
- Musicians, record labels and festivals that present Cape Verdean music, such as morna.
- Businesses and associations among the Cape Verdean diaspora that want to keep a link with the islands.
- Local shops, fishing cooperatives and craft producers that sell to visitors and residents.
Strengths
- The ending links the site to Cape Verde at a glance, which helps visitors and buyers recognise a local business.
- The name suits sites about islands, travel and music, since the country is known for its culture as well as its scenery.
- The address is short and easy to say, which helps when it is shared in person or on the radio.
Things to keep in mind
- The country is called Cape Verde in English and Cabo Verde in Portuguese, so check which spelling your audience uses before you choose a name.
- Visitors from abroad may not know the code, so show the full address clearly on signs and printed material.
- Good names built around island words or music genres are often taken, so combining them with a place or a band name can help.
- Rules for holders can change, so check the terms before you renew.
Tips before you register
- Compare the name in .com and check the social profiles you plan to use.
- Register under the legal name of the business, and keep it consistent on the website and on invoices.
- Publish content in Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole or English, depending on who you want to reach.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before you send newsletters from the domain.
- Keep a second trusted person on the registrar account, so that renewals are not missed if one person is away.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live on the islands to register a .cv name? Holder rules can apply and may depend on your situation. Check the operator's current terms at the time of the order.
Is .cv connected to the abbreviation CV? The ending is the country code for Cape Verde. The letters also match the common abbreviation for curriculum vitae, so a personal site may be read in that sense. Make the purpose of the site clear on the home page.
Does .cv help a site appear in search results for Cape Verde? It is one geographic signal. Clear local content, reliable pages and genuine links usually matter more.
