.ca
A .ca domain is the country code extension for Canada. It is run by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, known as CIRA, which has operated the registry since the extension was set up. Canadian residents use it widely because it signals a link to Canada and helps when you are targeting a local audience.
The .ca extension supports DNSSEC, which helps protect your domain from certain kinds of tampering. You can register a term of 1 to 10 years, and names can be between 2 and 50 characters long. Internationalised names are not allowed, so your name must use standard characters.
A .ca domain is a good choice when your customers, staff or services are based in Canada. Before you register, check that you meet the Canadian presence requirement, because the registry expects a real connection to Canada.
Registration is limited to people and organisations that meet the Canadian presence requirement.
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents can register a .ca domain.
- Canadian corporations can register a .ca domain.
- Holders of a Canadian trade mark can register a .ca domain.
Renew before your expiry date to keep your name.
- After expiry there is a 40 day grace period during which you can still renew your domain.
- Renewals are made in 1 year increments.
- If you do not renew within the grace period, the name is released and becomes available to others.
You can move an existing .ca domain to Domain Central from another provider.
- You need the authorisation code from your current registrar.
- A transfer usually takes 5 to 7 days to complete.
- The transfer uses the registry’s standard process, so make sure your contact details are accurate before you start.
You can change the registrant of a .ca domain, and the registration term does not change as a result.
- The term stays the same when the registrant is updated.
- The new registrant must still meet the Canadian presence requirement.
Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) Autorité Canadienne pour les enregistrements Internet (ACEI), 319 McRae Avenue, Suite 700, Ottawa, ON K1Z 0B9, Canada