A method is disclosed for partially replicating directory information from a master directory server to one or more distributed directory servers. Distributed directory servers are established in a network that partially replicates master directory information from the master directory server. Filter criteria that define a subset of the master directory information for replication is received from an application that uses the master directory information. The subset of the master directory information is received, and stored in at least one distributed directory server. The subset of the master directory information can be a sub-tree, or a subset of a sub-tree, of the master directory information.