ccTLDs.com » Country Code Specific Forums » .ca Forum

[Ray Neu]

.ca

Can I register a dot-ca domain name directly with CIRA, and avoid dealing with registrars?

No. Registrants must go through CIRA certified registrars.


What are Canadian Presence Requirements to register a .ca?

Canadian Presence Requirements are criteria that classify Registrants according to legal status (e.g. a company vs. an individual). The legal type determines whether Registrants are eligible to register dot-ca domain names.


Why does CIRA have Canadian Presence Requirements?

After public consultation, CIRA determined that the dot-ca domain space should be developed as a key public resource for the social and economic development of all Canadians. Individuals or organizations that wish to register a dot-ca domain name must meet CIRAs Canadian Presence Requirements.


What are the .ca syntax rules?

Acceptable Characters = No characters other than a combination of the following characters may be included in a Domain Name Registration:

• Letters a through z (no accents of any kind will be accepted). Note that Domain Names are not case sensitive.

• The numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and/or 9; and

• The hyphen character (although it cannot be used to start or end a Domain Name).

Length: Domain names must be not less than two (2) and not greater than fifty (50) characters long.


Can you transfer a .ca domain name?

Yes. When a registrant changes its registrar, its registration period for a domain name registration will not be changed or lost. Under CIRA's rules, a registrant is permitted to change its registrar of record at any time. CIRA will charge the new registrar a fee pursuant to the Fee Schedule for a change of registrar. The old registrar is permitted to charge the registrant an administrative fee, which cannot exceed $20.00 irrespective of the number of registrations. Registrars are required to enter into an agreement with each registrant. However, no such agreement shall contain any terms that prevent a registrant from changing registrars at any time.

source: 101domain.com / cira.ca

[Sunil]

Another point to mention is that CIRA does NOT allow 'proxy' owners to get around the Canadian presence requirements. CIRA can and will investigate if they think a domain is not owned by a legitimate Canadian or Canadian business.

In fact CIRA will quite frequently verify domains that have been registered for several years.

[SiberForum]

Another point to mention is that CIRA does NOT allow 'proxy' owners to get around the Canadian presence requirements.

If you are using proxy that does not mean that you are Canadian