Requirements for registering Canadian .ca domain names

The .CA domain is Canada’s official country-code top-level domain (ccTLD). It is managed by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), which enforces specific rules to ensure that .CA domains remain a resource for Canadians.

When registering a .CA domain through Ruachost, you must meet the Canadian Presence Requirements (CPR) set by CIRA.

Governing Body

CIRA (Canadian Internet Registration Authority) manages the .CA domain space.
Registrants must demonstrate a valid connection to Canada by selecting a Canadian Presence Requirements category during registration.
CIRA may request proof of compliance at any time.

Categories and Requirements

Here are the most common categories under which you may qualify:


Category	Who Qualifies	Proof of Compliance
Canadian Citizen	A Canadian citizen of legal age in their province/territory.	Canadian birth certificate or valid Canadian Passport
Permanent Resident	A permanent resident under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, ordinarily resident in Canada	Canadian Permanent Resident Card
Corporation	A corporation incorporated under Canadian federal, provincial, or territorial law	Corporate registration documents (e.g., Industry Canada or provincial registry)
Partnership	A partnership where at least 66.6% of partners meet CPR requirements	Proof of compliance for each qualifying partner

Registering Name Formats

CIRA enforces strict rules on how registrant names must be entered.

For Individuals (Citizens/Residents)

Valid Examples:

Jack Smith
Bernard St-James

Invalid Examples:

J. Doe
Cool Gal

For Corporations

Valid Examples:

928945 Canada Inc.
Sam Consulting Ltd. (Ontario)

Invalid Examples:

Sam Corp. of Ontario (improper format)
Canada Sam Corp. (misleading jurisdiction)

Verification and Compliance

After registering, CIRA may request supporting documents to confirm your eligibility.
Failure to provide proof may result in suspension or cancellation of the domain.