Services offered
2024 and before
SURF offered several services for users wishing to use PIDs. But regardless of which services you choose, you remain responsible for minting and maintaining your PIDs.
Handle prefix request/registration
A one time fee to request and register a Handle prefix within the “21.*” namespace for you to mint PIDs under.
Handle prefix preservation
An annual fee to maintain your right to mint and resolve PIDs under your registered prefix(es).
PID hosting service
An annual fee to host and resolve any PIDs minted within our infrastructure.
Usage examples
Handle prefix request/registration + Handle prefix preservation: user has the infrastructure to host their own PIDs but requires a prefix to begin minting under.
Handle prefix request/registration + Handle prefix preservation + PID hosting service: user does not have the infrastructure to host their own PIDs nor a prefix to mint under.
PID hosting service: user already has a prefix and corresponding PIDs but wishes to migrate from another host provider to SURF
2025 and beyond
As of 2025, the PID service is offered at a flat annual rate. This means that you may mint, access, modify and have us host as many PIDs you would like for a single annual fee. Should you decide to terminate your contract, we will continue to host all existing PIDs and you will permanently retain the right to access and modify said existing PIDs to ensure their persistence and accuracy. You will however no longer be able to mint new PIDs.
The current rate for members can be found within the SURF services and rates brochure.
Please note that the 2025 brochure contains a mistake suggesting that the rate is "per PID, per year" but this should simply be "per year".
Post Contract
PIDs are meant to be a long term socio-technical solution. Should you decide to end your contract with SURF, we will continue to host all your existing PIDs for the next 10 years. You will be expected to continue to update and maintain these PIDs and their metadata for that time. If the PIDs become irrelevant, we urge you to tombstone them. You will no longer be able to mint new PIDs. If you would like to instead migrate your existing PIDs to a new provider, please contact us through our service portal to discuss a migration plan.
Demo service
For tests, we can provide you with an account under a test prefix. This can be used to test your procedures and schemas. The PIDs made under the test prefix are NOT permanent.
If you would like to sign up for a service, try the demo service or have any questions about a service, we would be happy to help you through our service portal. Our advisors can also provide advise and guidance on developing the best PID setup for your situation.