About .associates domains

About .associates domains

.ASSOCIATES is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) delegated in the DNS root zone. The registry operator responsible for .ASSOCIATES is listed by IANA as Binky Moon, LLC. Anyone can typically register a .ASSOCIATES name through an accredited registrar, subject to the registry’s registration policy and ICANN consensus policies.

Donuts Inc. was a domain name registrar and registry providing paid domain names under 270 new generic top-level domains (gTLDs), as made possible by ICANN's gTLD expansion program, as well as 173 other TLDs including .au (ccTLD) and .org (gTLD managed by the Public Interest Registry), through its own registry status (for example, managing the .social gTLD) and contracts between its subsidiaries and other registries. It was co-founded in 2010 by Paul Stahura, Jonathon Nevett, Richard Tindal, and Daniel Schindler. The company was headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. In July 2017, Donuts acquired Rightside, along with domain registrar Name.com. On August 11, 2018, Donuts entered into an agreement to be acquired by private equity firm Abry Partners. In October 2018, Donuts named Akram Atallah as Chief Executive Officer. In December 2020, Donuts acquired the registry division of Afilias, Inc., a registry, registrar and mobile software developer headquartered outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In January 2021, Ethos Capital acquired Donuts after their failed bid to gain control over the .org internet domain. In 2022, Afilias and Donuts Inc. were merged under Identity Digital.

Who can register .associates domains?

Eligibility is defined by the registry operator and its registrars. Most gTLDs are open to anyone worldwide. Many ccTLDs are also open globally; some require local presence, citizenship, or trademark rights. Always confirm current policy with the registry or your registrar.

Registration restrictions

Character rules below follow common ICANN LDH conventions. Individual registries and registrars may impose extra eligibility, length, or residency rules.

Length

1 – 63 characters (label before .associates)

Can use

Letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and hyphens (not first/last or consecutive in restricted cases)

Cannot use

Special characters (e.g. & # @) in standard LDH labels

IDNs

Varies by registry — check IDN support with the registry or your registrar

Features

Operational features (privacy, parking, protection) are registrar-level, not defined by the IANA root zone record.

Registry information

Sponsor / manager

Binky Moon, LLC

Registration services

https://www.identity.digital/

RDAP server

https://rdap.identitydigital.services/rdap/