.tz Domain Requirements: Registration Process and the Best Extensions

Getting a .tz domain sounds simple enough, and for the most part, it is. But there is one thing most guides skip right past, and it changes everything.

The requirements you face depend entirely on which .tz extension you pick.

If you want a brand.tz, you can register from anywhere in the world today: no local documents, no Tanzanian address, no hoops to jump through.

On the other hand, if you want brand.co.tz, different rules apply entirely.
This article breaks down both paths clearly, so you know exactly where you stand.

What the .tz Domain Actually Is and Who Controls It

.tz is Tanzania’s country code top-level domain, or ccTLD. It works like a digital flag, telling the internet your site is connected to Tanzania.

The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) governs the .tz namespace.

Day-to-day operations were previously handled by tzNIC, a not-for-profit body set up in 2006.

In 2018, tzNIC members voted to dissolve it, transferring all functions back to TCRA.

Today, TCRA holds full authority over who can register, how, and for how long.

There are two structural levels to the .tz domain system, and they work quite differently.

Second-level domains look like brand.tz, with your name sitting directly before the .tz.

Third-level domains add an extra label in the middle, such as brand.co.tz or brand.or.tz.

Before March 2022, third-level registrations were the only option available to anyone. That changed when TCRA opened second-level .tz registrations to the public in 2022.

.tz Domain Formatting Rules

Every .tz domain must follow the same character format rules without exception.

• Your domain name must be between 3 and 63 characters long.
• You can use letters from a to z, numbers from 0 to 9, and hyphens.
• A hyphen cannot appear in the first, second, or last character position.
• Spaces are not allowed, and the name is not case-sensitive.

The Two Tracks: .tz vs. .co.tz Requirements

The .tz and .co.tz extensions look similar, but they follow very different rules.

Getting this wrong means wasted time, rejected applications, or picking the wrong extension entirely.

Direct .tz Domains (brand.tz): Open to Everyone

Since July 1, 2022, any person or organization worldwide can register a .tz domain.

TCRA removed the local presence requirement when it opened second-level registrations to the public.

No Tanzanian address is needed. No official documentation is required. There is also no obligation to start using the domain right after registration.

That means a business in Germany, a freelancer in Canada, or a startup in Singapore can all register.

Registration is first-come, first-served, so moving early matters for brand protection.

Third-Level Domains (.co.tz, .or.tz, etc.): Stricter Rules Apply

The .co.tz extension and other third-level domains are subject to much tighter controls.

TCRA requires that you have a real, verifiable presence in Tanzania to qualify. The registry explicitly prohibits vanity registrations and placeholder registrations.

You must also show a genuine intention to use the domain name on the internet. At the same time, each organization is limited to one registration, so you cannot claim multiple .co.tz names.

There is also a technical requirement tied specifically to .co.tz and third-level registrations.

You must have a secondary nameserver that sits on a different network backbone from your primary. This is a registry-level rule, not a suggestion, so your hosting setup needs to accommodate it.

For individuals registering a .co.tz domain, a national ID or passport is required. Businesses must provide a valid Tanzanian business registration certificate.

Foreign businesses cannot register a .co.tz domain unless they have a locally registered branch. The contact details must also include a real Tanzanian phone number and a verifiable physical address.

Restricted .tz Extensions and Their Eligibility Rules

Beyond .tz and .co.tz, there are several specialized third-level extensions worth knowing.

Each one is reserved for a specific type of organization or entity. Registering the wrong extension for your organization type will get your application rejected.

Use the table below to check which extension fits your situation.

.tz Documents Checklist by Registrant Type

Before you start registration, gather your documents. It saves a lot of back-and-forth.

The exact list depends on whether you are an individual, a business, or a special-category entity.

Individual .tz Registrants Requirements

If you are a Tanzanian resident registering a .co.tz or other third-level domain, you need the following:

• A valid national ID or passport as proof of identity
• A verifiable physical address in Tanzania for your WHOIS contact record
• A working Tanzanian phone number for contact verification
• A valid email address to receive domain verification and renewal notices

For direct .tz domains, individuals anywhere in the world need only basic contact details. No ID, no local address, and no proof of residence are required.

Business Registrants Requirements for .tz Domain

Businesses registering third-level .tz domains need a fuller set of documentation.

• A valid Tanzanian business registration certificate issued by the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA)
• Tanzanian office address and local phone number for the WHOIS contact record
• Email address tied to the business for domain correspondence
• For foreign businesses: proof of a locally registered Tanzanian branch or subsidiary

Foreign businesses without a Tanzanian legal entity cannot register a .co.tz domain. In that case, registering a direct .tz domain is the cleaner, faster path.

Special Entity Registrants

Academic institutions, government bodies, media organizations, and ISPs each have extra steps.

• Academic institutions (.ac.tz): Accreditation documentation from the relevant national authority
• Government entities (.go.tz): Authorization letter from the relevant ministry or government department
• Media organizations (.tv.tz): Active TCRA broadcasting license covering TV or radio
• Internet service providers (.ne.tz): Valid ISP license plus proof of network operations in Tanzania

Is a .tz Domain Legally Required for Your Business?

For many businesses operating in Tanzania, the .tz domain is not optional. It is the law.

Regulation 10(1) of the Electronic and Postal Communication Numbering and Addressing Regulations sets this out clearly.

It states that any company, government body, NGO, society, partnership, or community registered in Tanzania must register a .tz domain.

The same regulation requires that all official communications from these entities carry the .tz domain.

.tz Registration Costs: What You Should Expect to Pay

Pricing for .tz domains varies depending on whether you register locally or through an international registrar.

.tz domains cost around TZS 138,000 to register and TZS 143,000 to renew yearly.

.co.tz domains cost around TZS 39,000 per year to register, and the renewal prices are around TZS 34,000.

International registrars, such as those in Europe or North America, typically charge $59.99 USD annually.

That said, international pricing can jump significantly for premium or sought-after names.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Most people who start researching .tz domains spend days going back and forth between registrars, re-reading the same vague guides, and second-guessing whether they qualify.

You do not have that problem anymore. You know which extension fits your situation, what documents to pull together, and exactly how much you can expect to pay.

The only move left is the actual registration. Head to Truehost, pick a .tz or .co.tz extension, and lock in your name today.