# How .sg domain registration works > The local presence requirement, what SGNIC needs from you, and the difference between .sg, .com.sg and the rest. Source: https://cwp.sg/sg/sg-domain-registration/ Author: Ben Johnson Last verified: 2026-09-21 **In short:** - You cannot buy a .sg domain directly from SGNIC; you must use an accredited registrar. - Individuals can register .sg, but .com.sg requires an ACRA-registered business. - Identity verification is required for some domain types, and your domain will not work until it is done. - If you do not need a professional address, our free hosting subdomain avoids all the paperwork. The .sg domain space is run by SGNIC, the Singapore Network Information Centre. You cannot buy a .sg domain directly from SGNIC. You must go through an accredited registrar — a company that SGNIC has authorised to sell .sg names. Registrars set their own prices and handle the paperwork. SGNIC sets the rules. ## Who can register which type of .sg domain SGNIC divides the .sg space into several categories. The one you choose depends on who you are. | Extension | Who can register | Common use | |---|---|---| | .sg | Any individual or entity | Personal sites, blogs, portfolios | | .com.sg | ACRA-registered company or business | Corporate websites | | .org.sg | Registered society or charity | Non-profits, clubs | | .edu.sg | MOE-registered school or institution | Schools and educational bodies | | .gov.sg | Government agencies only | Public sector | | .per.sg | Singapore citizens and PRs only | Personal name domains | If you are an individual, .sg is the normal choice. You do not need a business to register it. You need a local address and a local contact number during registration, but you do not need to submit ACRA documents. If you run a business, .com.sg is the standard option. Your registrar will ask for your ACRA registration number and may request a copy of your business profile. The domain name should match or closely relate to your registered business name. ## Identity verification SGNIC requires registrars to verify the registrant's identity for certain domain types. For .sg and .com.sg, you may be asked to provide: - A copy of your NRIC or passport - A local address proof (utility bill, bank statement) - Your ACRA business profile, if registering a .com.sg The exact documents depend on the registrar and on SGNIC's current policy. Check with your registrar before you pay. Some registrars verify within minutes. Others take a few working days. Your domain will not resolve until verification is complete. ## Registrar fees versus registry rules Your registrar charges you a fee. SGNIC charges the registrar a separate fee. The two are not the same. - The registry fee is what SGNIC charges the registrar. It is fixed for all registrars. - The registrar fee is what the registrar charges you. It can vary between registrars. If one registrar is much cheaper than another, the difference is in their margin, not in the quality of the domain. The same SGNIC rules apply regardless of which registrar you use. ## What happens after you register Once your domain is active, you need to point it somewhere if you want a website. You have two options. **Change the nameservers.** Your registrar will give you a control panel where you can set the nameservers to your host's values. This is the cleanest method and works with any host. See [the guide on moving nameservers](/tutorials/change-nameservers/) for the steps. **Set DNS records at the registrar.** You keep the registrar's nameservers and add A records or CNAME records pointing to your host's IP address. This is useful if you need other DNS records to stay at the registrar. We have a guide on [pointing a domain to your host](/guides/how-to-host-a-website/point-a-domain-to-your-host/) that covers both methods. After you make changes, [check the records with a DNS lookup](/tools/dns-lookup/) to confirm they have propagated. ## Do you need a custom domain at all If you are just testing or running a small personal site, you may not need a .sg domain. Our free hosting gives you a subdomain under cwp.sg. That subdomain works immediately, costs nothing, and requires no paperwork. A .sg domain is worth the effort if you want a professional address, a local identity, or a name you can take to another host later. If you are unsure, read our comparison of [subdomain versus custom domain](/compare/subdomain-vs-custom-domain/) before you decide. ## Renewal and expiry rules .sg domains renew annually. SGNIC sends renewal reminders to the registrant email address on file. If you let the domain expire, there is a grace period, but the length depends on the registrar. Some registrars delete the domain immediately after expiry. Others hold it for 30 days. Keep your contact details current with your registrar. SGNIC will not chase you through alternative channels. ## How .sg domain registration works in practice .sg domains are a small namespace. The rules are stricter than .com, but the result is a space with fewer squatters and more real local sites. If you live in Singapore, run a business here, or want a domain that signals a Singapore connection, .sg is the right choice. Pick a registrar, have your documents ready, and read the rules before you pay. --- Content Website Platform (cwp.sg) operates the free hosting it writes about; see https://cwp.sg/about/ for the methodology and the commercial disclosure.