Compliance
The .CA domain space is a key public resource for all Canadians. The people and organizations that register .CA domain names must meet Canadian Presence Requirements. It is CIRA's responsibility to ensure that all .CA Registrants meet these requiremenets.
As part of the Registrant Information Validation (RIV) process, CIRA may, from time to time, request documentation to validate a Registrant's compliance with its Canadian Presence Requirements.
The following are acceptable documentation to validate your Canadian presence.
| Canadian Presence Category | Definition | Acceptable Documentation | Examples of Invalid Documentation |
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Canadian Citizen |
A Canadian citizen of the age of majority under the laws of the province or territory in Canada in which he or she resides or last resided. |
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Canadian Corporation |
A corporation under the laws of Canada or any province or territory of Canada. |
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Permanent Resident of Canada |
A permanent resident as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) S.C. 2001, c.27, as amended from time to time, who is “ordinarily resident” (as defined below) in Canada and of the age of majority under the laws of the province or territory in Canada in which he or she resides or last resided. |
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Trade-mark Registered in Canada |
A person who does not meet any of the foregoing conditions, but who is the owner of a trade-mark which is the subject of a registration under the Trade-marks Act (Canada) R.S.C. 1985, c.T-13 as amended from time to time, but in this case such permission is limited to an application to register a .CA domain name consisting of or including the exact word component of that registered trade-mark. |
Note: The registered trademark owner must be the registrant of the .CA domain name. The registered trademark must include the exact word component of that registered trademark or Official Mark. |
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Official Marks |
A person who does not meet any of the foregoing conditions, but which is a person intended to be protected by Subsection 9(1) of the Trade-Marks Act (Canada) at whose request the Registrar of trademarks has published notice of adoption of any badge, crest, emblem, official mark or other mark pursuant to Subsection 9(1), but in this case such permission is limited to an application to register a .CA domain name consisting of or including the exact word component of such badge, crest, emblem, official mark or other mark in respect of which such person requested publications. |
Note: The registered trademark owner must be the Registrant of the .CA domain name. The registered trademark must include the exact word component of that registered trademark or Official Mark. |
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*All documentation received will be used in accordance with CIRA's Privacy Policy.
If you have any questions about the RIV process or Canadian Presence Requirements, please contact CIRA's Compliance Officer at compliance@cira.ca, or by telephone at 1-877-860-1411.