All TLDs / .gov / is it legit?
Is .gov legit?
Are .gov sites safe?
.gov carries an above-average safety signal because registration is vetted. As with any domain the trustworthiness ultimately comes from the individual site, not the extension — but the eligibility barrier filters out casual abuse.
Who runs .gov?
.gov is operated by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, according to the IANA root database.
Can anyone register a .gov domain?
Only if you qualify — .gov is restricted to organizations that meet the registry's eligibility rules. Eligible applicants register through accredited registrars; a registrar search shows current availability.
Registry operator: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency — per the IANA root database.
Source: IANA root zone database, checked August 23, 2026.
Bottom line
.gov is a genuine, ICANN-recognized extension — the question of whether a specific .gov site is trustworthy comes down to the site, not the domain ending. See the full .gov page for type, operator, and where to register one.