A .sg or .com.sg address tells customers at a glance that your business serves Singapore. It can also help local trust and search visibility. The process is not complicated, but there are a few rules that catch first-timers, especially around who is allowed to hold which type of name and the need for a local contact. This guide explains how to register sg domain names step by step, from choosing the right extension to keeping the name renewed. If you already own a domain and just want a branded email address, see Setting Up a Custom Email Address on Your Own Domain.
Who Runs .sg Domains: SGNIC and Registrars
Singapore’s country code domains are managed by the Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC), which operates under the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). SGNIC sets the policies but does not sell domains to the public directly.
Instead, you register through an accredited registrar: a company approved by SGNIC to process .sg registrations. Some are Singapore-based web hosts and IT providers; others are global domain companies that are accredited for .sg. SGNIC publishes the list of accredited registrars on its website, and it is worth checking that your chosen provider is on it, especially if you are buying through a reseller.
Prices, renewal terms, bundled hosting and customer support vary between registrars, so compare a few before committing.
Choosing Between .sg, .com.sg and Other Extensions
There is more than one Singapore extension, and each comes with different eligibility rules. In general:
| Extension | Typically used by | Key eligibility point |
|---|---|---|
| .sg | Businesses, individuals and organisations wanting a short Singapore address | Open more widely, but a Singapore presence or local administrative contact is required |
| .com.sg | Commercial entities | Generally for businesses registered in Singapore, such as with ACRA |
| .org.sg | Non-profit organisations | Generally for registered societies, charities and similar bodies |
| .edu.sg and .gov.sg | Educational institutions and government bodies | Restricted to qualifying institutions and agencies |
Many businesses register both the .sg and .com.sg versions of their name, then point one to the other. This protects the brand and catches customers who type either. SGNIC’s registration policies set out the exact eligibility for each extension, so check them before you pay, as requirements can be updated.
Before You Register: Get Your Business Set Up
For .com.sg in particular, your registrar will usually ask for your business’s registration details, such as the Unique Entity Number (UEN) that ACRA (the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority) issues when you register a business or company. If you have not done that yet, start with How to Register a Business Name in Singapore or How to Register a Company in Singapore.
It also helps to have these ready:
- The exact legal name of the business, as shown on your ACRA records.
- A Singapore business address.
- Details for the registrant, the administrative contact and the technical contact (these can be the same person in a small business).
- A working email address you check regularly. Renewal reminders and verification emails go here.
Step by Step: How to Register Your .sg Domain
- Search for availability. Use any accredited registrar’s search tool. If your first choice is taken, try short variations, but avoid confusingly similar names to other brands.
- Pick the extension or extensions. Decide whether you want .sg, .com.sg or both.
- Create an account with the registrar and enter the registrant details. For a business, the registrant should be the business itself, not an individual employee or the web designer. This avoids headaches if staff leave.
- Add the administrative contact. SGNIC rules require an administrative contact with a Singapore presence. Foreign businesses without a local office often need to appoint a local contact or use a registrar or agent who can act in that role, subject to the rules.
- Complete any verification. Registrars may ask you to verify the registrant’s identity or business registration, for example through Singpass or Corppass for local entities, or by submitting documents. Unverified registrations can be suspended.
- Choose the registration period and pay. You can usually register for one year or several years at a time.
- Set up DNS. Point the domain to your website host and email provider. Your registrar’s control panel handles this, or your web developer can do it.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Registering in someone else’s name. If a designer or agency registers the domain under their own account, you may struggle to move it later. Make sure the registrant is your business and you have the login.
- Letting it lapse. Expired domains can be picked up by others, sometimes resold or used for spam. Turn on auto-renew and keep the payment card current.
- Outdated contact details. If the admin email is a former employee’s inbox, renewal notices go nowhere.
- Trademark clashes. Registering a name that copies another company’s brand can lead to a dispute. Singapore has a domain name dispute resolution policy for .sg names. If you are building a brand, check trademarks with IPOS (the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore) as well.
- Ignoring Chinese branding. If you trade with Chinese-speaking customers, think about how your name reads in Chinese too. How to Choose a Chinese Name for Your Singapore Brand has practical tips.
After Registration: Making the Domain Useful
Once the name is yours:
- Point it to your website and make sure it loads over HTTPS.
- Set up branded email and add authentication records (SPF, DKIM and DMARC) so your emails are less likely to land in spam.
- Redirect secondary domains (for example, .sg to .com.sg) to a single main site.
- Keep a simple record of the registrar, login, renewal date and DNS settings, stored where more than one person in the business can access it.
Quick Checklist
- Confirm which extension fits your entity type under SGNIC rules.
- Have your ACRA UEN and business details ready.
- Choose an accredited registrar from SGNIC’s list.
- Register in the business’s name with a valid local administrative contact.
- Complete any identity or business verification promptly.
- Turn on auto-renew and keep contact details up to date.
Domain policies and verification steps can change, so always check the latest requirements on SGNIC’s website and with your registrar before you register.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreign business without a Singapore office get a .sg domain? Possibly, but SGNIC rules require an administrative contact with a Singapore presence. Foreign businesses often appoint a local contact or use a registrar or agent who can act in that role. Check SGNIC’s registration policies before paying.
Should I register both the .sg and .com.sg versions of my name? Many businesses do, then point one to the other. It protects the brand and catches customers who type either version. Each extension has its own eligibility rules, so confirm what applies to your business under SGNIC’s policies.
How do I check that a registrar is accredited for .sg? SGNIC publishes a list of accredited registrars on its website, so look for your provider there, especially if you are buying through a reseller. Also compare prices, renewal terms, bundled hosting and support before committing.
What happens if my .sg domain expires? Expired domains can be picked up by others, and sometimes resold or used for spam. Turn on auto-renew and keep the payment card and the admin email current, because renewal notices go to the contact on file.
What if someone else holds a name that looks like my brand? Singapore has a domain name dispute resolution policy for .sg names. Before building the brand, check trademarks with IPOS, and avoid names that closely resemble another company’s, since a clash could lead to a dispute.