Register your .CA

Purchasing a .CA domain name is quick and easy. Keep these helpful tips in mind throughout the registration process.

    How to buy a .CA domain

    How to buy a .CA domain name

    1. Search for an available .CA domain name

    2. Choose a registrar

    3. Complete your .CA domain name registration

    Find out if a domain name is available to register by searching at the top of this page.

    If it's not available, you can:

    If it's your first time registering a domain, and you're lost or stuck, we have plenty of tips in our free guide on choosing a good domain name for your Canadian business.

    Choose a registrar

    Select a company that meets your needs and price point, depending on what you want to do with your domain.

    Learn more about CIRA's role in managing .CA domain names.

    What is a registrar?

    Although CIRA manages the .CA registry, domain names are purchased through registrars (view a full list of .CA Certified Registrars). Your registrar is your main point of contact for any domain issues or questions.

    You can also purchase a .CA through a reseller, an official agent of a registrar. Many DIY website builders operate as domain resellers. This doesn't have much impact on you, but CIRA may have a different company on file as the official registrar.

    Tips for choosing a registrar

    1. Determine which services you require

    You may want services like email hosting or support offered in French, so find out what each registrar offers. Remember, if you registered your .CA domain name as an individual you have free WHOIS privacy protection already included.

    2. Shop around

    Shop around to get a good understanding of how much your domain name, and additional services, will cost. Registrars may offer bundles, packages, or special promotions. Keep in mind that cheapest isn’t always necessarily best.

    3. Check references

    Seek out customer reviews and testimonials, and ask friends or colleagues for a recommendation. You may find that some registrars come highly recommended by your peers. If you make a mistake, you can always transfer your .CA domain to another registrar.

    Complete your registration

    Consider the following tips for protecting your .CA domain.

    • Always register the domain name yourself

      Never let third parties, such as a marketing agency, complete a registration on your behalf. This can become a problem if you part ways and no longer have access to the account managing your domain name.

    • Provide accurate contact information

      CIRA and your registrar will use the contact information provided during the registration process to communicate important information about your domain name.

    • Choose a registration term length that works for you

      You can register a domain name from one to 10 years at a time. A longer registration period, combined with setting up auto-renewal with your registrar, can help you ensure your .CA domain name remains registered and active.

    • Register common variations of your name

      If your company or product is commonly misspelled, register the alternate domain names and forward them to your primary website. This helps protect your brand identity and ensures no one else can register these domain names.

    • Register a .CA with French-accented characters

      The .CA domain registry supports French accented characters within domain names: é, ë, ê, è, â, à, æ, ô, œ, ù, û, ü, ç, î, ï, ÿ. When a .CA domain name is registered, all variations with accented characters are reserved for the original registrant exclusively.

    • Protect your domain

      Your .CA domain name should be protected like any other asset. A domain name is responsible for a lot of important things. Websites, applications, email and more. Check out our Ultimate Domain Name Security Checklist for more.