Setting Up .us Domains on Squarespace
TL;DR:
- You need a US mailing address to register a .us domain on Squarespace
- You must specify how you'll use the domain (personal, business, non-profit, etc.)
- No Whois privacy protection available – your details will be public
- Five-day grace period lets you cancel for a full refund
- Works with Squarespace's free domain offer
You can register, transfer, or connect .us domains through Squarespace, but they come with specific requirements that other domains don't have.
Understanding .us Domain Requirements
.us domains are country-code domains specifically for people and organizations connected to the United States. Squarespace handles these differently because of federal regulations governing their use.
When you register a .us domain, you'll need to provide two key pieces of information:
Application Purpose – This tells the registry how you plan to use the domain. Your options are:
- Personal use
- Business for profit
- Non-profit organization
- Educational institution
- Government use
Residency Status – This confirms your connection to the US. You can register if you're:
- A US citizen
- A permanent resident
- Representing a US-incorporated organization
- A foreign entity with a US business presence
You must provide a valid US mailing address during registration. This isn't optional and the address will be verified.
What You Get (and What You Don't)
The main benefit of .us domains is their clear association with the United States, which can boost credibility for US-focused businesses or personal brands.
Squarespace includes .us domains in their free domain offer, so you can claim one as your annual free domain. If you transfer an existing .us domain to Squarespace, you'll get an extra year added to your registration.
You also get a five-day grace period after registration. If you change your mind within those five days, you can cancel and get a full refund.
However, there's one significant limitation: Whois privacy protection isn't available for .us domains. This means your contact information (name, address, phone number) will be publicly visible in the domain registry database. There's no way around this – it's a requirement for all .us domains, not just those registered through Squarespace.
Registration Process
The registration process is similar to other domains, but with the additional verification steps. After entering your domain choice, you'll see extra fields for the application purpose and residency status.
Make sure you select these accurately. Incorrect information can cause registration problems or compliance issues down the line.
Once registered, your .us domain works exactly like any other domain on Squarespace. You can connect it to your site, set up email forwarding, and manage DNS settings through your domain dashboard.
FAQs
Can I get privacy protection for my .us domain?
No, Whois privacy protection isn't available for .us domains. Your registration details will be publicly visible in the domain database.
What if I don't have a US address?
You need a valid US mailing address to register a .us domain. This is a federal requirement, not a Squarespace policy.
Can I use a .us domain for any type of website?
Yes, as long as you select the appropriate application purpose during registration. The domain works the same as any other domain once it's set up.
How long do I have to cancel after registration?
You have five days from registration to cancel for a full refund.
Jargon Buster
ccTLD – Country Code Top-Level Domain. A domain extension associated with a specific country (.us for United States, .uk for United Kingdom, etc.)
Whois privacy – A service that hides your personal contact information from the public domain database. Not available for .us domains.
Application purpose – The category that describes how you'll use your .us domain (personal, business, non-profit, etc.)
Wrap-up
.us domains work well on Squarespace if you meet the residency requirements and don't mind having your contact details publicly visible. The registration process is straightforward once you understand the extra requirements, and you get the same domain management features as other extensions.
The lack of privacy protection is the main drawback, but for many US-based businesses and individuals, the credibility boost of a .us domain makes this trade-off worthwhile.
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