The IE Domain Registry (IEDR) has relaxed the rules concerning the registration of dot ie internet addresses by private individuals.

Personal domains will be available to individuals from October 31st next.

The IEDR says that it is providing a seven-week notice period so that sole traders, professionals, politicians and trademark holders who are entitled to register personal names under the current rules can claim them.

Registration will be on a first come, first served basis if more than one individual has a claim to a domain name. Applicants will have a number of options for the domain they can register, based on a combination of their first name, middle name, surname, initials and hyphens.

A variety of documents will be acceptable as proof of identity, including a passport, driver's licence, birth or marriage certificate or utility bill. Applications are open to people resident both in the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Registration of nicknames or other variations of names are not permitted.

Individuals can register any number of personal domain names provided that they meet the necessary requirements.

David Curtin, chief executive of IEDR, said that the registry's requirement to authenticate an individual's identity was "to maintain the integrity of the dot ie domain namespace, which has negligible levels of cybersquatting and cybercrime".

Although the IEDR is encouraging registration through its network of resellers, who are free to set their own pricing, it will charge €69 plus VAT per annum for individuals who wish to register directly.

The IEDR said that it had decided to relax the rules because of the increased popularity of social networking and blogging sites and the increasing number of individuals coming online.