Published: 17.10.2026
The .mp extension is the country-code domain assigned to the Northern Mariana Islands, a chain of islands in the western Pacific that forms a commonwealth of the United States. Local businesses, schools, tourism operators and community groups use a .mp name to show their connection to the islands. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .mp is still available.
Check if a .mp domain is available .mp Check
A short history
The .mp code was assigned for the islands in the early years of the internet, when island institutions and a small group of technical users made up most of the community online. As schools, hotels and local media began to publish their own sites, the zone became a familiar part of life on the islands. Its use is still shaped mainly by the islands' own businesses and organisations.
Who runs it
The zone is managed by a registry operator that keeps the database of names and works with accredited registrars. Customers order through accredited registrars, which forward each order to the registry. Because the operator sets the conditions for holders and the details of renewal, check the current terms before you register, rather than relying on information from older guides.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the operator may set rules on who can hold a .mp name and whether a local link is needed. Check them first.
- Contact data: the holder details must be correct and up to date, and the registrar may ask you to confirm them.
- Characters: letters, digits and hyphens are the standard characters, within the length limits for domain labels.
- Renewal: enable auto-renewal and keep the contact address monitored, so the name does not lapse during a busy season.
Who uses .mp
- Hotels, dive operators, restaurants and tour companies that welcome visitors to the islands.
- Shops, craft makers and food businesses that sell to residents and visitors.
- Schools, colleges and community organisations that serve island families.
- Cultural and heritage groups that present local history, language and traditions.
Strengths
- The ending points clearly to the Northern Mariana Islands, which helps visitors and residents recognise a local business.
- A short address with a clear place reference works well on signs, boat tour leaflets, menus and brochures.
- Search engines can use a country-code ending as one hint about the audience, so content written for the islands may match local searches.
Things to keep in mind
- The zone refers to a specific group of islands, so a business that serves visitors from many countries may also want a generic address.
- Visitors from outside the islands may not know the ending, so show the full address on every printed item and sign.
- Internet speed and hosting location affect how quickly pages load for a remote audience, so test the site before you launch.
- The operator's rules can change, so review them each time you renew the name.
Tips before you register
- Check the same name in .com and in the social accounts you plan to use.
- Use the official business or organisation name, and keep the holder details consistent with your local records.
- Publish a clear contact page, opening hours and a privacy notice, in English and in any other language your visitors use.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before you send booking confirmations from the domain.
- Turn on auto-renewal and give access to two responsible people in your team.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to live on the islands to register a .mp name? The operator's conditions decide this, and they may depend on your local connection, so check the current terms before you order.
Does a .mp address help a travel site appear in search results? It is one useful signal. Accurate and detailed content about the islands, plus clear contact details, usually matters more.
Can I use English on a .mp site? Yes. English is widely used on the islands, and the ending does not fix the language. Some sites also add Chamorro or Carolinian for local audiences.
