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Register, transfer or renew a .ca domain
.ca is Canada's own domain extension. It tells customers you are Canadian and helps you show up in Canadian search results. We have registered .ca domains directly with CIRA since 2001.
Transfer to us
C$17.99 includes 1 year
Bring your .ca from any registrar. You keep your remaining time. Free when you move your website or email to us (.ca, .com, .net, .org).
Transfer a .caOther extensions
.com C$22.99 / year
.com, .net, .org and hundreds of other extensions are also available: search a name to see them all with prices. Many businesses register both the .ca and the .com.
Search .comWhy choose a .ca domain?
- Trust. Canadians recognise .ca as Canadian and are more likely to click it.
- Local search. Search engines treat .ca as a signal that your site serves Canada.
- More names available. Short, simple names that are long gone in .com are often still free in .ca.
- Protected by Canadian rules. Only people and organisations with a real connection to Canada can own one, and CIRA is a Canadian not-for-profit.
- Privacy by default. For individuals, CIRA keeps your contact details out of public WHOIS for free.
Who can own a .ca: the Canadian Presence Requirements in plain words
CIRA, the registry for .ca, only lets you register a .ca if you have a real connection to Canada. You qualify if you are one of these:
| You are… | Examples |
|---|---|
| A Canadian citizen or permanent resident | You personally, or a sole proprietor using their own name |
| A Canadian organisation | A corporation registered federally or in a province or territory, a partnership, a co-op, a trust, a registered charity or not-for-profit, a union, a political party |
| A Canadian institution | Schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, libraries, archives, museums, government bodies |
| Indigenous peoples and Indigenous groups in Canada | First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and their groups |
| The owner of a trademark registered in Canada | A foreign company with a Canadian trademark (the domain must contain the exact trademark) |
| Legal representative of a Canadian | An executor, guardian or agent acting for someone who qualifies |
When you register, you agree to CIRA's registrant agreement and confirm which group you belong to. If you are not sure you qualify, ask us before you order.
How a .ca transfer works
- Ask your current registrar for the domain's transfer code (also called an authorization code or auth code). Make sure the domain is unlocked.
- Start the transfer with us and enter the domain name and the code.
- Pay for one year. It is added to the time you already have.
- The transfer usually finishes within hours. Your website and email keep working if you keep the same DNS.
Changing hosts too? Transfer the domain first, check that everything works, then move your website. We are happy to help with both.
Renew for up to 10 years
Domains are usually lost by a missed renewal email. Renew for 5 or 10 years and stop worrying. We send a renewal invoice well before the end of your term.
Questions and answers
Who can register a .ca domain?
Canadian citizens and permanent residents, companies and not-for-profits incorporated in Canada, and a few other groups with a real link to Canada, such as owners of a trademark registered in Canada. These are CIRA's Canadian Presence Requirements.
How long does a .ca transfer take?
Usually a few minutes to a few hours once you enter the transfer code (authorization code) from your current registrar. The transfer adds one year to your registration, so you lose no time you already paid for.
How many years can I register a .ca for?
From 1 to 10 years. Longer terms protect you from forgetting a renewal and from price changes.
What happens if my .ca expires?
It stops working, but it is not lost right away. CIRA keeps an expired .ca in a redemption period of about 30 days, and we can usually renew it for you during that time. After that it is deleted and anyone can register it.
Is my personal information public in WHOIS?
No. For individuals, CIRA hides your name, address, phone and email in WHOIS automatically, at no cost. Companies can choose to show their details.
Do I need hosting to own a domain?
No. You can register a .ca and keep it parked, or point it to any host. You can add hosting or email later.