This guide is for Malaysian beginners who want their own .my domain name. It walks you through the steps in plain English, using official MYNIC sources.
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you sign up through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure.
How to register a .my domain
- Choose a simple, legal name.
- Check if it is free on the official MYNIC Domain Search.
- Pick a registrar from MYNIC's official list. Compare packages, price and support yourself.
- Send supporting documents if you are asked, within 14 days.
- Renew before the domain expires.
- Point the nameservers to your hosting if you want a website.
What is a .my domain?
A .my domain is a web address that ends in .my. MYNIC is the sole administrator for web addresses that end with .my in Malaysia. MYNIC is the registry for .my.
MYNIC explains the difference this way: the registry operates a domain name, and a registrar is a company that sells and manages domain names. You buy from a registrar.
Buying a domain is not the same as getting a website. A domain is an address that points to your website. The website itself needs to be hosted on a server.
How do you choose a .my domain name?
The official ichoose FAQ (a MYNIC site) lists things to think about: relevance, simplicity, branding, memorability, legal considerations, readability, future growth, and matching social media handles. Keep it easy to remember and easy to spell. Do not stuff it with keywords. Do not infringe trademarks or copyrighted names.
There are official naming facts to follow:
- Your .my domain name cannot exceed 63 characters, including ".MY".
- .my accepts ASCII letters, numbers and hyphens. .my internationalised domain names also accept Jawi, Chinese and Tamil characters.
- Names must comply with Malaysian law and MYNIC policy. They must not be scandalous, indecent, obscene, offensive, or against Malaysian public norms. They must not be used for illegal purposes or infringe others' rights.
You can read the full rules in the Registrant Policy. For the story of how domain names work, see The Evolution of Domain Names.
How do you check if the name is available?
Domain names are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Use the official MYNIC Domain Search to check availability. The ichoose site also has a search at ichoose.my/domain.
WHOIS is different. It is for information on domains that are already registered. The WHOIS page says: "Find information on registered .MY domains." You can see registration and expiration dates, the registrar name, and nameservers.
MYNIC gives this official WHOIS disclaimer: "Failure to locate a record in the WHOIS database is not indicative of the availability of a domain name." So use Domain Search to check if a name is free, and WHOIS to look up a name that is already taken. For privacy reasons, personal information is no longer shown in WHOIS.
If the name is taken, you can try contacting the owner, wait until it is not renewed, or file a dispute through MYDRP if you think you are the rightful owner. Because personal details are hidden in WHOIS, use MYNIC's Domain Contact Request if you have a legitimate reason to contact the owner.
How do you pick a MYNIC-accredited registrar?
Registration for .my, .com.my, .biz.my, .net.my, .org.my and .name.my is done through MYNIC's officially appointed registrars. Choose one from the official list and use their register link.
Official lists:
- Find Our Registrars on the MYNIC site.
- .MY Accredited Registrar List on ichoose.
MYNIC's FAQ says you should compare registrars and consider the packages they offer, the price you are comfortable with, and the customer support they provide. This post does not name or recommend any registrar. Compare the official list yourself.
Note: .gov.my, .edu.my and .mil.my are handled separately through the MYNIC PRIME portal. This beginner guide focuses on .my and .com.my.
What documents do you need for .my vs .com.my?
MYNIC may ask for supporting documents. Have them ready. The Registrant's name must be exactly as stated in the supporting documents. MYNIC notes that the document list is updated from time to time, so check the official list.
| Item | .my | .com.my |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | For all individuals, companies and organizations from any country, with no geographic restriction. | For commercial organizations or activities. |
| Who it suits | Open to all individuals or entities from any country. | Applicants must meet at least one official criterion, such as a company under the Companies Act 2016 or a business registered under the Registration of Businesses Act 1956. For Sabah and Sarawak, a business under the Commercial License Ordinance 1948 also qualifies. |
| Example documents | MYKAD, National ID or Passport for Malaysian individuals; passport, national ID, driver's license or utility bill for non-Malaysian individuals; or a company business license or certificate. | Borang 9, 13, D, or the full list in the official FAQ. |
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns.
If documents are required, you have fourteen (14) days to send them. If you do not, the application is cancelled. It may be resubmitted later if the name is still available.
Some Malaysian companies and businesses formed under the Business Registration Act 1956, Companies Act 2016 and Legal Profession Act 1976 may not need to send hard copies of their documents to resellers, unless specifically requested. All other applicants must send the appropriate documents. Always follow what MYNIC and your registrar ask for. See the Buying a Domain page, the supporting documents FAQ, and the Triple I policy.
How does renewal work, and what happens if you miss expiry?
.my domain names are leased. You can register for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 10 years. You can also renew for 1 to 10 years, depending on the remaining eligible years. Your registrar sends a renewal reminder before expiry, so keep your email and contact details up to date.
Renew before the expiry date. If you do not, the official lifecycle has these phases:
- Auto Renew Grace Period: up to 45 days, length varies by registrar. You can renew without an added fee in this period. The domain may stay active or be suspended, depending on the registrar.
- Redemption Grace Period: 30 days. You can still renew, but a redemption fee is charged on top of a one-year renewal fee. The fee may vary between registrars. The domain is suspended, and its website and email stop working.
- Pending Delete: 5 days. The domain can no longer be restored, modified or transferred.
- After that, it is deleted and becomes available again on a first-come, first-served basis.
See the official domain lifecycle overview for details.
How do you link the domain to hosting?
Your nameservers connect your domain name to your website. The official Managing a Domain page says you can replace the registered nameservers, add more (up to 6), or remove them. Only a user with the Technical Role can change nameservers.
In MYNIC Selfcare, go to SELFCARE, open the Domain menu, click Manage, then use the Nameserver tab. Your registrar may also give you a way to edit nameservers. Follow the instructions you are given.
Many people buy the domain from a registrar and hosting from a hosting company. If they are different, you usually change the domain's nameservers to the ones your hosting company gives you. After a change, it may take a little time to update across the internet. Follow your hosting company's instructions. If the same company supplies both the domain and the hosting, they may connect them for you.
If you also need a place to host the website, see Best Affordable Web Hosting in Malaysia 2026 or How to Start a WordPress Blog in Malaysia 2026. For Blogger, see Chapter 5: add a custom domain to Blogger.
One hosting option we link to
- This is an affiliate hosting link, not a recommendation of Exabytes as a .my registrar.
- Compare hosting and domain services yourself. Check the current price before you sign up.
Affiliate link. Opens exabytes.my in a new tab.
FAQ
Can I buy a .my domain directly from MYNIC?
Registration for .my and .com.my is done through MYNIC's officially appointed registrars. Choose one from the official list and use their register link.
Does a domain come with a website?
No. A domain is an address that points to your website. The website needs to be hosted on a server.
How long can I register a .my domain for?
You can register for 1 to 10 years. You can renew for 1 to 10 years, depending on the remaining eligible years.
What happens if I miss the expiry date?
There is an Auto Renew Grace Period of up to 45 days, then a 30-day Redemption Grace Period with a redemption fee, then 5 days of Pending Delete. After that the domain is deleted and can be taken by someone else.
How do I check if a name is free?
Use the official MYNIC Domain Search or the ichoose search. WHOIS is for names that are already registered. A missing WHOIS record does not, by itself, prove the name is free.
Do I need to send documents?
MYNIC or your registrar may ask for documents. If they do, send them within 14 days. Some Malaysian companies and businesses may not need to send hard copies unless asked. Check the official document list, because it can change.
Ready to start?
Compare registrars on the official Find Our Registrars list, then check the current price with the registrar you choose.
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