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
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CIRA (Canadian Internet Registration Authority) manages the .CA domain space.
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Registrants must demonstrate a valid connection to Canada by selecting a Canadian Presence Requirements category during registration.
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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:
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Jack Smith
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Bernard St-James
Invalid Examples:
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J. Doe
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Cool Gal
For Corporations
Valid Examples:
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928945 Canada Inc.
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Sam Consulting Ltd. (Ontario)
Invalid Examples:
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Sam Corp. of Ontario (improper format)
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Canada Sam Corp. (misleading jurisdiction)
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Note:
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Verification and Compliance
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After registering, CIRA may request supporting documents to confirm your eligibility.
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Failure to provide proof may result in suspension or cancellation of the domain.
