.ru domain requirements
Current .ru rules allow individuals and organisations, including non-residents, but identity procedures are changing
The .ru registry currently states that both individuals and legal entities may register and that Russian residency is not required. Accurate holder data is mandatory and the registrar can require supporting documents. A major identification change is scheduled for 1 September 2026, so confirm current availability and verification before ordering.
What are the current .ru registration requirements?
The following summary reflects registry information available on 14 August 2026. The registrar can impose a compliant verification process and request evidence before or after registration.
Eligible applicant
An individual or legal entity can currently be the domain administrator.
Residency
The registry’s current public guidance says the applicant does not have to be resident in the Russian Federation.
Accurate identity
Provide truthful, complete holder and contact information and keep it up to date.
Supporting documents
The registrar may ask for identity or organisation documents that match the application.
Reachable contact
Use an email address you monitor because registrar requests and notices are sent to the recorded contact.
Lawful use
The domain administrator is responsible for the name, content and third-party rights associated with its use.
Which registrant details might be required?
| Applicant | Typical information | Verification principle |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | Full legal name, birth or identity details, postal address, telephone and email | Information must match the accepted identity evidence and registrar process |
| Organisation | Legal name, registration details, address, representative and contact information | The organisation and authorised representative may need documentary evidence |
Which characters can a .ru domain contain?
The Coordination Center states that a second-level .ru name can contain 2 to 63 characters before .ru. It uses Latin letters, digits and hyphens, and must begin and end with a letter or digit.
Allowed
Latin letters a-z, digits 0-9 and a hyphen between other allowed characters.
Not allowed
Spaces, punctuation other than a permitted hyphen, a leading or trailing hyphen, or a name outside the registry length rules.
The separate Cyrillic country-code domain is .рф. This article covers .ru, which uses Latin-script labels.
How do you prepare a .ru registration?
- 1Confirm current availability
Ask UKC whether new .ru registration is available for your applicant type and location under the latest identification process.
- 2Check the name and rights
Search the exact domain and review relevant business names, trade marks and possible third-party conflicts.
- 3Prepare accurate holder data
Use the legal identity or organisation that should control the domain. Do not abbreviate or invent details.
- 4Review the verification route
Confirm which documents or identity system will be accepted and how they must be supplied.
- 5Check terms and costs
Review the registration term, renewal charge, VAT, transfer rules and any additional verification cost.
- 6Respond to registrar requests
Monitor the contact email and complete genuine verification within the stated deadline.
What should you manage after registration?
Contact and identity data
Keep the administrator information accurate and respond to verification requests. Incorrect or unverified data can affect delegation or control.
Renewal and expiry
Track the expiry date and renewal procedure. Do not assume a domain will remain active while a new identity requirement is unresolved.
DNS and service continuity
Save nameservers and DNS records before a registrar or hosting change so the website and email can continue working.
Transfer procedure
Follow the current registry and registrar process. Identity checks or domain status can affect which actions are available.
.ru domain questions
Do I need to live in Russia to register .ru?
The registry’s current public guidance says residency is not required. However, the announced ESIA procedure from 1 September 2026 may materially affect how non-residents can complete identification, so confirm the current route before ordering.
Can a company register a .ru domain?
Yes under the currently published eligibility information. Accurate organisation and representative details are required and supporting documents may be requested.
What is ESIA?
ESIA is Russia’s Unified Identification and Authentication System. The registry has announced it as part of the mandatory domain-registrant identification procedure due from 1 September 2026.
Is .ru the same as .рф?
No. Both are Russian country-code top-level domains, but .ru uses Latin-script domain labels while .рф is the Cyrillic domain.
Can UKC guarantee that my registration will be accepted?
No registrar can guarantee acceptance before the registry and verification process completes. Confirm product availability and provide accurate information promptly.
Can the rules change after registration?
Yes. Registry rules, national law and identification procedures can change. Keep the account contact current and follow genuine registrar notices.
Authoritative references checked 14 August 2026: Coordination Center .RU and .РФ overview and FAQ, official registration documents, and the registry notice about the 1 September 2026 identification changes.
Check the current route before ordering
Confirm eligibility, identity requirements and availability with UKC
Tell support whether the proposed holder is an individual or organisation and the holder’s country. Do not attach identity documents until a secure process is confirmed.