1) What is .ca?
.CA serves as the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) designated for Canada.
2) What is CIRA?
CIRA stands for the Canadian Internet Registration Authority. It is a non-profit organization established by the Canadian government to manage the .ca top-level domain. Founded in 1998, CIRA is responsible for setting policies and overseeing the operation of the .ca domain.
3) Who is eligible to register a .ca domain name and what are the specific registration requirements or restrictions for .ca domain names?
CIRA has decided that the .ca domain space should be a valuable public resource that supports the social and economic development of all Canadians. Therefore, individuals registering for a .ca domain name must fulfill certain Canadian Presence Requirements.
Canadian presence requirements categorize Registrants based on legal type (e.g., as a corporation or an individual). This classification determines the eligibility of Registrants to register .ca domain names and ensures a legal connection to Canada. CIRA mandates that you fulfill the Canadian presence requirements prior to receiving a .ca domain.
To register a .ca domain, at least one legal type must comply with CIRA’s Canadian presence requirements. The categories of legal types include:
1. Canadian citizen
2. Permanent resident of Canada
3. Legal representative of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
4. Corporation (from Canada or a Canadian province or territory)
5. Trust established in Canada
6. Partnership registered in Canada
7. Canadian unincorporated association
8. Canadian trade union
9. Canadian political party
10. Canadian educational institution
11. Canadian library, archive, or museum
12. Canadian hospital
13. Her Majesty the Queen
14. Indian band recognized under the Indian Act of Canada
15. Aboriginal Peoples (individuals and groups) native to Canada
16. Government or governmental entity in Canada
17. Trademark registered in Canada (by a non-Canadian owner)
18. Official marks registered in Canada
Please consult the following articles for more details on common registration requirements.
Domain Name Extension with Limitation on Characters
4) What is the character length for a .ca domain name?
The minimum length is 2 characters, and the maximum is 50 characters.
5) What is the registration term?
The registration term ranges from 1 to 10 years.
6) How can I register a .ca domain?
You can place your order for domain name registration here.
7) Is it possible to delete a domain after registering it?
No, once registered, you cannot delete the domain name; the registration fee is non-refundable. You will own the domain for the duration of the fiscal year.
8) What is the renewal term?
The renewal term is also between 1 and 10 years.
9) What is the grace period for renewing a .ca domain name, and how can I renew it?
The renewal grace period for a .ca domain is 30 days; you can renew your domain name by accessing our Exabytes Client Billing System. For more information, please click here.
For additional details, please visit Domain Renewal FAQs.
10) Is there a Redemption Grace Period (RGP) for .ca domain names?
Yes, the Redemption Grace Period for a .ca domain is also 30 days. Please check Domain Redemption FAQs for further information.
11) How long does it take for a domain to be released for public registration after it expires and is not renewed?
After a .us domain expires, it undergoes the following lifecycle:
40 days renewal grace period -- > 30 days Redemption grace period --> 5 days pending deletion
If you do not renew or restore the domain name, it will be available for public re-registration approximately 75 days after the expiration date. Keep in mind that re-registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
12) Can I start a registrar transfer for a .ca domain name and what is the process for doing so?
Yes, you can initiate a registrar transfer for a .us domain name. Please note that the domain will be extended for one year upon completion.
For more details, please refer to Transfer Domain to Exabytes.
13) Does Exabytes offer Internationalized Domain Names (IDN) for .ca?
No, Exabytes does not currently provide IDN.ca domain names.