About .ca domain
.ca is a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Canada, managed by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) as a not-for-profit corporation. It was delegated in 1987 and CIRA assumed operational control in 2000. The registry operates the domain in the public interest and has established specific registration rules and a dispute resolution policy for the namespace.
Who can register .ca domain
Registration of a .ca domain requires meeting the Canadian Presence Requirements (CPR). Eligible registrants include Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and legally recognized Canadian organizations. Foreign entities can register if they hold a registered Canadian trademark. The registrant must provide proof of eligibility, such as a Canadian address or trademark registration number, to the certified registrar during the application process.
How to register .ca domain
- Search Availability: Use a CIRA-certified registrar's website to check if your desired .ca domain name is available, ensuring it meets the registry's character and length rules and does not conflict with a reserved or restricted name.
- Verify Eligibility & Compare: Confirm you meet the Canadian Presence Requirements and compare pricing, registration terms, and add-on services like WHOIS privacy from different certified registrars before proceeding.
- Complete Checkout: Provide your accurate contact information and proof of eligibility as required, then complete the purchase for your chosen registration term, which is typically one to ten years.
- Configure DNS: After your registration is approved, access your registrar's control panel to configure the domain's DNS settings, such as nameservers, A records, and MX records, to point to your hosting or email service.
Typical uses of .ca domain
The .ca extension is predominantly used by individuals, businesses, and organizations with a connection to Canada to establish a local online identity. It is a popular choice for Canadian companies, from small local shops to national corporations, as it signals a domestic focus to customers and can be advantageous for marketing and search engine visibility within the country. Non-profits, government divisions, and educational institutions within Canada also frequently use .ca domains. While open to various entities, its core use case remains serving the Canadian market and community.
Tips for registering .ca domain
- Registrations must be for a minimum of one year and can be purchased for up to ten years at a time, with renewal required before the expiration date to maintain ownership.
- WHOIS privacy services are generally available through registrars for .ca domains, allowing registrants to shield their personal contact information from public view in the WHOIS directory.
- The registry operates a To-Be-Released (TBR) process for expired domains, where names that are not renewed enter a weekly auction before being released for general registration.
- Domain names with French accented characters (e.g., é, ç) are supported, and all linguistic variants of a name are reserved as an administrative bundle for the same registrant.
Frequently asked questions about .ca domain
How much does it cost to register and renew a .ca domain?
As of today, .ca domains start from $8.66/yr on NameBeta, with prices ranging up to $136.80/yr across 28 registrars. See the registrar comparison table on this page for live prices.Which registrars support .ca domains?
NameBeta tracks 28 registrars that support .ca domain registration, with the cheapest option at $8.66/yr. Full list on this page.Who operates .ca domain?
The registry for .ca domains is CIRA, administered by Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) Autorité Canadienne pour les enregistrements Internet (ACEI).
Who can register a .ca domain?
Registration is restricted to entities that meet the Canadian Presence Requirements. This includes Canadian citizens, permanent residents, Indigenous groups, Canadian corporations, and government divisions. Foreign individuals or companies can qualify if they hold a registered Canadian trademark. During registration, you will need to declare your eligibility category, and your registrar may request supporting documentation.
Can I transfer a .ca domain between registrars?
Transferring a .ca domain between registrars follows a standard process. You must first unlock the domain at your current registrar and obtain an authorization code (EPP code). The new registrar will initiate the transfer, and you must confirm it. Transfers are typically completed within a few days, provided the domain is not within 60 days of initial registration or a previous transfer.
What is the CIRA Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (CDRP)?
The CDRP is the official process for resolving disputes over .ca domain names, similar to the UDRP for .com. It is designed to address cases of bad-faith registration, such as cybersquatting on trademarks. A complainant must demonstrate that the registrant has no legitimate interest in the domain and registered it in bad faith. Decisions are made by appointed panelists, and outcomes can include the transfer or cancellation of the domain.
Are there any specific naming restrictions for .ca domains?
Yes, CIRA maintains lists of reserved and restricted names. You cannot register names that are Canadian province/territory names, certain generic terms like .com.ca, or official municipal names unless you are the corresponding government entity. Names must be 2 to 63 characters long and can include specific French accented characters. Names that conflict with existing registrations at different levels (e.g., example.on.ca conflicts with example.ca) are also blocked.
What happens if I forget to renew my .ca domain?
After expiration, the domain enters a 30-day grace period where you can renew it at the standard rate. Following this, there is a 30-day redemption period where you can still recover the domain, but often at a higher redemption fee. If not renewed during these periods, the domain is suspended and scheduled for deletion, after which it enters the TBR auction process before becoming available for new registration.
Can I register a .ca domain with French characters?
Yes, you can register a .ca domain using a limited set of French accented characters like é, ç, and ô. However, all linguistic variants of a name (e.g., cafe.ca, café.ca, cafè.ca) are considered an administrative bundle. Once you register one variant, the entire bundle is reserved for you, and all variants in that bundle must be managed through the same registrar under the same registrant contact.
