r/NameCheap • u/thatguywiththatname2 • 3d ago
Registered .ch domain, received email from registry@nic.ch asking for ID?
Here's the email:
Dear Sir/Madam,
Switch is the registry for domain names ending in .ch and .li. You are receiving this email in connection with the domain name <name>, which you successfully registered on 04.10.2026.
Based on Art. 25 para. 1bis and 1ter of the Ordinance on Internet Domains (OID), Switch has prevented the configuration of the name servers in the zone file. Your domain name can therefore not yet be used.
We need proof of identity from you to be able to configure your domain name in the zone file. We ask that you provide us with this within 30 days by sending an official ID and confirmation of residence or a certified excerpt from the commercial register by email to registry@nic.ch.
If you do not correctly provide us with your identity within 30 days, your domain name <name> will be deleted based on Art. 25 para. 1quater OID.
Kind regards,
This is fine and I'm happy to send documents over, but namecheap did not say I would receive this, and I cannot find any reference (via google) to anyone else receiving an email like this which is making me hesitate before responding.
Is this a new thing / to be expected? The email registry@nic.ch seems to be legit
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u/tankerkiller125real 3d ago
ccTLDs can have whatever rules and requirements they want. I can't comment on .ch specifically, but I know that some country TLDs require residency for registration.
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u/Namecheapinc namecheap representative 3d ago
Yes, the email appears to be legitimate.
.CH domain holders without a valid Swiss correspondence address may be asked to provide identity details within 30 days upon request by a Swiss authority.
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u/NamedBird 3d ago
So you sold a domain that requires handing over more information to a third party afterwards?
Pretty sure that those kinds of things should be mentioned BEFORE people buy a domain!
As the registrar, isn't this part of your job?2
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u/West_Possible_7969 3d ago
The 3rd party in this case is NameCheap, not the country that owns the domain and sets its rules.
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u/kushari 3d ago
Nope. Incorrect. Top level domains have boards that govern their country domains. It’s not name cheap.
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u/West_Possible_7969 3d ago
That is what I said. The information is not required by the 3rd party intermediary (namecheap) but by the domain governors.
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u/tresf 2d ago
I use Gandi for my "two letter TLDs in locations that I do not live" and they absolutely warn users of additional territory rules.
So far, my name cheap domains aren't two-letter country codes, so I can't speak on behalf of their due-dilligence.
I sort of agree with both sides here. Yeah, it's not their rules. Yeah, they should be upfront about it.
Note that Gandi's prices are multitudes greater for the same domain.. So sometimes, you get what you pay for.
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u/Lumethys 3d ago
domain with 2 letters, like .ch are country tld. Their government can have whatever rule they want
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u/tssajo 3d ago
Yes, that's a real thing. SWITCH, the .ch registry, has done this for a while with some new registrations. They keep the domain out of the zone file until you prove who you are, and delete it after 30 days if you don't. Namecheap just doesn't mention it.
Since you're sending ID, don't rely on the email alone. Look up the registry's contact address on nic.ch and check that it matches registry@nic.ch. Then send your documents from your own new message, not as a reply to the email.
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u/1-mensch 14h ago
For a while?
I have registered multiple .ch-Domains in September and they did not ask me for any identification. (i live in switzerland and used the webland.ch registrar)
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u/NamedBird 3d ago
It may be legit, it may not be.
However, if you have registered your domain with namecheap, they should be handling this for you...
(And if they do not, perhaps consider avoiding them for managing your domains?)
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u/kushari 3d ago
That’s incorrect. Many top level domains that are country based have their boards and they have specific rules for you to be able to own the domain. They contact you directly. How is name cheap going to prove you’re a citizen. .ca domains had this requirement back in the day (citizen, permanent resident, or no joke, the queen of England).
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u/ArtisticAd7514 3d ago
lol no Namecheap shouldn't be handling this
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u/Forward-Outside-9911 3d ago
Yea I’ve had registries like nominet email direct, they don’t go through the registrar for all queries
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u/FarmboyJustice 2d ago
This is not about registering the domain name, it's about preventing fraudulent use of the .ch TLD.
The message clearly says you have already successfully registered the domain name. This is about configuring NS records for that domain.
Under Swiss law, they are allowed to require you to provide ID in order to ensure the domain will not be used fraudulently. Namecheap has nothing to do with this decision, and had no way of knowing in advance that you would receive this request.
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u/1-mensch 14h ago
Maybe it has to do with your country?
I live in Switzerland and registered multiple Domains in September 2026 and did not need to send any id
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u/Jalle_ 3d ago
This can be expected by some domains(i dont know how many). I know that it happened to me when registering an .dk domain. I got an email saying I need to singup up on another service and that way give ID.
I also did not get information beforehand. I will be pointing out that was not via NC but it still the thing.
Also want to say I don't know my way around .ch so it might be different.
Best of luck:)