September 09, 2026
12 min read
By Kokil Thapa | Last reviewed: September 2026
Domain Registration in Nepal Complete Guide starts with a simple truth: your domain is the address customers type before they ever see your site. A law firm, travel agency, or eCommerce shop in Kathmandu needs a name that loads fast, looks credible, and stays under your control for years. In Nepal, that usually means working through the national .np registry and choosing between extensions like .com.np, .org.np, or a shorter .np name. This guide walks you through registry rules, documents, DNS, hosting, and the mistakes I see on real client projects — so you register once and build on solid ground. If you want hands-on help, see our domain registration and hosting service in Nepal.
Quick answer: Domain Registration in Nepal Complete Guide: register .com.np or .np through an accredited registrar linked to Mercantile Communications, submit valid ID or company papers, point DNS to your host, add SSL, and renew yearly before expiry.
What is domain registration in Nepal and who manages it?
A domain name maps a human-readable label — such as yourbrand.com.np — to the IP address of your web server. Without that mapping, browsers cannot find your site. Nepal operates its own country-code namespace under .np, administered by Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd. on behalf of the Nepal Network Information Center (NNIC).
Most businesses register through an accredited registrar or reseller. The registrar collects your application, checks documents, and submits the request to the registry. You do not deal with Mercantile directly unless you choose a registrar that acts as a self-service portal.
International extensions like .com, .net, and .org are sold by global registrars. Those names are not governed by Nepali document rules. Many Nepal companies hold both a .com.np name for local trust and a .com for global reach. Our earlier post on .com.np vs .np domain choice covers extension trade-offs in detail.
The official registry publishes policy updates on the Mercantile .np registration portal. ICANN maintains global domain standards that influence how country-code zones operate worldwide. Read their accredited registrar programme overview if you also plan to buy .com names from international sellers.
Key roles you should understand
- Registrant — the legal owner listed on the domain record.
- Registrar — the company that processes your application and renewals.
- Registry — Mercantile, which maintains the authoritative .np database.
- DNS host — where name server records point; often your hosting provider.
How do you register a .com.np or .np domain step by step?
Registration is document-driven. The registry verifies that the domain name matches the applicant. A mismatch between your company name and the requested label is the most common rejection reason I see on client projects.
- Search availability — use your registrar's lookup tool or the Mercantile WHOIS search.
- Choose the correct extension — .com.np for trading businesses, .org.np for NGOs, .edu.np for schools.
- Prepare documents — citizenship or passport for individuals; PAN/VAT and registration papers for companies.
- Submit the application — fill the online form and upload scanned copies.
- Pay the fee — typically Rs 1,500–3,000/year (~USD 11–22) depending on extension and registrar markup.
- Wait for approval — manual review can take one to five business days.
- Configure DNS — set name servers or A/CNAME records once the domain is active.
- Enable SSL — issue a Let's Encrypt certificate after DNS propagates.
On legal-tech portals I have built — such as Notary Nepal — we register the domain first, then point staging and production hosts separately. That keeps email and the live site stable during migration.
Sample DNS records after approval
Once your domain is active, point it at your server. A typical Laravel or WordPress stack on Ubuntu uses records like these:
# A record — root domain to server IP
yourbrand.com.np. IN A 203.0.113.45
# CNAME — www subdomain
www.yourbrand.com.np. IN CNAME yourbrand.com.np.
# MX — email (example: Google Workspace)
yourbrand.com.np. IN MX 10 aspmx.l.google.com.
# TXT — SPF for outbound mail
yourbrand.com.np. IN TXT "v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all"DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally. In practice, most Nepal hosts update within a few hours. Use dig yourbrand.com.np +short from your Linux server to confirm resolution before requesting SSL.
Should you choose .com.np, .np, or .com for your Nepal business?
Extension choice affects trust, SEO signals, and registration friction. There is no single winner — the right pick depends on audience and brand length.
| Extension | Best for | Document rules | Typical annual cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .com.np | Registered companies, shops, agencies | Company PAN, registration certificate | Rs 1,500–2,500 (~USD 11–18) | Strong local trust; name must match business |
| .org.np | NGOs, associations, clubs | Registration proof of organisation | Rs 1,500–2,500 (~USD 11–18) | Not for commercial trading entities |
| .np (second level) | Personal brands, short names | Citizenship or passport | Rs 2,000–3,000 (~USD 15–22) | Short and memorable; limited availability |
| .com | Global audience, apps, SaaS | None beyond registrar KYC | Rs 1,200–1,800 (~USD 9–13) | Instant registration; less local identity |
| .edu.np | Schools, colleges, training centres | Official education registration | Rs 1,500–2,500 (~USD 11–18) | Strict category enforcement |
For a Nepal-only law firm or clinic, .com.np signals legitimacy to local clients. For a startup targeting export markets, register .com.np plus .com and redirect one to the other. Read our dedicated comparison at .com.np vs .np for Nepal websites before you commit.
Branding matters too. Before you register, check whether your preferred name works on social handles and email. Our portfolio branding guide for Nepal covers naming consistency across web and print.
What documents and legal rules apply to Nepal domain registration?
The registry enforces category rules strictly. You cannot register a .com.np name as an individual unless the label is clearly a personal trading name supported by documents. Companies must show a valid PAN registration certificate and company registration from the Office of Company Registrar.
Documents by applicant type
- Private limited company — PAN certificate, company registration, application letter on letterhead, authorised signatory ID.
- Sole proprietorship — PAN, firm registration from local ward office or tax authority, owner citizenship.
- Individual (.np) — citizenship or passport; domain must relate to your legal name or documented alias.
- NGO — SWC registration, PAN if applicable, board resolution authorising the registration.
- Educational institution — proof of affiliation or registration with the relevant ministry or council.
If you are forming a new company specifically for a tech product, complete Nepal company registration for tech startups before applying for a matching .com.np label. The domain name and registered company name should align closely.
VAT-registered businesses should keep PAN details consistent across domain records, tax filings, and payment gateways. Mismatched legal names cause problems later when you integrate eSewa, Khalti, or ConnectIPS on an eCommerce site built for Nepal. The Inland Revenue Department portal is the authoritative source for PAN and VAT status.
Renewal, transfer, and ownership protection
.np domains are registered yearly. Set a calendar reminder 30 days before expiry. Expired domains enter a grace period, then become available to the public. I have seen businesses lose email service because a domain lapsed quietly.
Keep registrant contact email active. Registry notices go to that address. Enable registrar lock if offered — it blocks unauthorised transfers. For high-value brands, also register common misspellings and the .com variant.
How do you connect DNS, hosting, and SSL after registering a domain?
Registration alone does not put a website online. You need hosting, correct DNS, and HTTPS. Most Nepal SMB sites run on shared hosting or a small VPS with Apache or Nginx, PHP 8.3 or 8.4, and MySQL 8.4 or MariaDB 12.3.
Hosting options worth comparing
Local hosting in Kathmandu or Pune-linked data centres offers low latency for Nepal visitors. Global cloud providers — AWS, DigitalOcean, or Hetzner — suit apps with international users or CI/CD pipelines. On sister legal sites I maintain with Deployer 7 and GitLab CI, we use Ubuntu 24 servers with PHP-FPM 8.4 and nightly database dumps.
If you lack server experience, a managed plan through a Linux system administration service saves painful permission and SSL errors. Shared cPanel hosting works for WordPress 7.1 brochure sites with modest traffic.
SSL with Certbot on Ubuntu
After your A record resolves correctly, install a free certificate:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx
sudo certbot --nginx -d yourbrand.com.np -d www.yourbrand.com.npCertbot adds HTTPS redirects and auto-renewal cron entries. Apache users swap the plugin package to python3-certbot-apache. Full hardening steps appear in our website and server security guide for Nepal.
Technical SEO starts at the domain layer. Pick one canonical host — either www or non-www — and 301 redirect the other. Submit the property in Google Search Console after DNS is stable. Follow the on-page SEO checklist for Nepal and consider a full SEO audit service before launch traffic arrives.
What mistakes break domain and website projects in Nepal?
Most failures are operational, not technical. Teams treat domain registration as a one-time checkbox. Then email, SSL, or renewal breaks six months later.
Common errors and fixes
- Wrong registrant name — register under the company, not a departing employee's personal email.
- Shared registrar login only — store credentials in a team password manager with backup admin contact.
- DNS left on old host after migration — lower TTL to 300 seconds before moving; verify with dig after cutover.
- No SSL on bare domain — redirect both www and non-www to HTTPS; mixed content hurts rankings.
- Ignoring email MX records — web host defaults do not route Google Workspace or cPanel mail correctly.
- Letting domain expire during Dashain holidays — renew early; support desks run thin in festival weeks.
Website migrations fail when DNS and registrar access are split across vendors. If you plan a platform move, read our website migration service overview and keep one person responsible for the domain panel.
After launch, schedule quarterly checks: WHOIS expiry date, SSL validity, MX health, and backup restore tests. Our support and maintenance plans include these checks for production Laravel and WordPress sites. For performance work after go-live, pair domain setup with speed optimisation and a technical SEO audit.
Need a quick currency reference when comparing international registrar prices? Use the Nepal forex rates tool to convert USD list prices into NPR. For Nepali content on the site itself, the Nepali Unicode converter helps prepare web-ready text before you publish.
Building the site itself — whether Laravel 13, WordPress 7.1, or WooCommerce 11.1 — belongs to a separate project phase. See web development services in Nepal and our eCommerce development overview when you move from domain to application code. Past work like Court Marriage In Nepal shows how proper domain and hosting setup supports lead-capture legal portals.
Key Takeaways
- Register .com.np through an accredited registrar with company documents that match your chosen domain label exactly.
- Secure both .com.np and .com for important brands; pick one canonical URL and redirect the rest with 301 rules.
- Point DNS to your host, verify with dig, then issue Let's Encrypt SSL before announcing the site publicly.
- Renew yearly, protect registrar login credentials, and keep registrant email addresses active for registry notices.
- Align domain ownership, PAN records, and payment gateway KYC early to avoid eCommerce integration delays.
- Treat DNS, SSL, email MX, and backups as ongoing ops — not a one-time registration task.
People Also Ask
How much does domain registration cost in Nepal?
Most .com.np and .org.np domains cost Rs 1,500–2,500 per year (~USD 11–18) through local registrars. Short .np names may cost slightly more. International .com domains run Rs 1,200–1,800 (~USD 9–13) depending on the seller and any promotional pricing.
Can foreigners register a .com.np domain?
Foreign nationals cannot register .com.np names unless they operate a legally registered entity in Nepal with valid PAN and company documents. Foreign individuals may register certain personal .np names only if policy and document checks pass. Global .com names remain the practical option for overseas owners targeting Nepal audiences without a local entity.
How long does .np domain approval take?
Manual document review typically completes within one to five business days. Incomplete scans, name mismatches, or missing authorisation letters delay approval. Submit high-resolution PDFs and a cover letter that states the exact domain requested.
Do I need hosting from the same company that registered my domain?
No. Domain registration and hosting are separate services. You can register with a local reseller and point name servers to any global or Nepal-based host. Keeping DNS documentation in one place simplifies troubleshooting when email or SSL issues appear.
Build on a domain that will still be yours in five years
Domain Registration in Nepal Complete Guide boils down to disciplined paperwork, clean DNS, and steady renewals. Get the registrant details right, connect hosting properly, and treat the name as business infrastructure — not a quick purchase. Whether you run a law firm portal, a trekking agency, or an online shop, the domain is the foundation every other system depends on. When you want help registering, hosting, and launching without DNS surprises, contact us or explore domain registration and hosting in Nepal. You can also browse the project portfolio and read website maintenance best practices before you go live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Domain registration maps a human-readable label such as yourbrand.com.np to the IP address of your web server so browsers can reach your site. Nepal operates its own country-code namespace under .np, administered by Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd. on behalf of the Nepal Network Information Center. Most businesses register through an accredited registrar or reseller that collects your application, verifies documents, and submits the request to the registry. International extensions like .com, .net, and .org are sold by global registrars and are not governed by Nepali document rules. Understanding the roles of registrant, registrar, registry, and DNS host keeps ownership and troubleshooting clear from day one.
.com.np and .org.np domains cost Rs 1,500–2,500/year (~USD 11–18). Short .np names cost Rs 2,000–3,000 (~USD 15–22). Global .com names run Rs 1,200–1,800 (~USD 9–13).
Start by searching availability through your registrar's lookup tool or the Mercantile WHOIS search. Choose the correct extension: .com.np for trading businesses, .org.np for NGOs, or .np for personal brands. Prepare documents — citizenship or passport for individuals, PAN and company registration papers for businesses. Submit the online application with scanned copies, pay the annual fee, and wait for manual approval, which typically takes one to five business days. Once active, configure DNS by setting name servers or A and CNAME records to your host, verify resolution with dig, then issue a Let's Encrypt SSL certificate after propagation completes.
Extension choice affects local trust, SEO signals, and registration friction. For a Nepal-only law firm, clinic, or shop, .com.np signals legitimacy and requires company documents that match your registered business name. Short .np names suit personal brands but need citizenship or passport and have limited availability. Global .com names register instantly with less local identity proof and work well for apps, SaaS, or export-focused startups. Many Nepal companies hold both .com.np for local credibility and .com for international reach, then pick one canonical URL and 301 redirect the other. Check social handles and email branding before committing.
The registry enforces category rules strictly and rejects applications when documents do not match the requested domain label. Private limited companies need a PAN certificate, company registration from the Office of Company Registrar, an application letter on letterhead, and authorised signatory ID. Sole proprietorships need PAN, firm registration from the local ward office or tax authority, and owner citizenship. Individuals registering .np names need citizenship or passport, and the domain must relate to their legal name or documented alias. NGOs need SWC registration, PAN if applicable, and a board resolution. Educational institutions need proof of affiliation or registration with the relevant ministry or council.
Manual document review typically completes within one to five business days. Incomplete scans, name mismatches, or missing authorisation letters delay approval.
Foreign nationals cannot register .com.np names unless they operate a legally registered entity in Nepal with valid PAN and company documents. The registry verifies that the domain label aligns with the applicant's registered name, so overseas individuals without a local company cannot use the commercial .com.np category. Certain personal .np names may be available to foreign individuals only if policy and document checks pass. For overseas owners targeting Nepal audiences without a local entity, a global .com from an international registrar remains the practical option. Complete Nepal company registration first if you plan to operate under a matching .com.np label.
No. Domain registration and hosting are separate. Register with any accredited reseller and point name servers to any Nepal-based or global host.
Registration alone does not put a website online. Point your domain at your server with an A record for the root domain and a CNAME for www, add MX records if you use Google Workspace or another mail provider, and include TXT records such as SPF for outbound email. DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally, though most Nepal hosts update within a few hours. Confirm resolution with dig yourbrand.com.np +short from your Linux server before requesting SSL. On Ubuntu with Nginx, install Certbot and run certbot --nginx for your domain and www subdomain. Apache users swap to the certbot-apache plugin package.
A typical Laravel or WordPress stack needs an A record pointing the root domain to your server IP, a CNAME record sending www to the root domain, MX records routing email to your mail provider such as Google Workspace, and a TXT record for SPF to authorise outbound mail. If you run staging and production separately, as I do on legal-tech portals, point each environment explicitly rather than leaving records on an old host after migration. Lower TTL to 300 seconds before a cutover so changes propagate faster. Always verify with dig after updates and before requesting a Let's Encrypt certificate.
The registry is Mercantile Communications, which maintains the authoritative .np database on behalf of the Nepal Network Information Center. The registrar is the accredited company or reseller that processes your application, collects documents, handles payment, and manages renewals on your behalf. You are the registrant — the legal owner listed on the domain record. Your DNS host is often your hosting provider, where name server or A and CNAME records actually point traffic. You typically do not deal with Mercantile directly unless your registrar acts as a self-service portal. Keeping registrar login credentials and DNS documentation accessible prevents painful delays during migrations.
A mismatch between your company name and the requested domain label is the most common rejection reason on client projects I see. The registry verifies that .com.np labels belong to the documented business, so applying before company registration completes often wastes time. VAT-registered businesses should keep PAN details consistent across domain records, tax filings, and payment gateway KYC. Mismatched legal names cause problems later when you integrate eSewa, Khalti, or ConnectIPS on a Nepal eCommerce site. Register the domain under the company, not a departing employee's personal email, and align ownership early so renewals, transfers, and compliance checks stay straightforward.
.np domains renew yearly. Set a calendar reminder at least 30 days before expiry because expired domains enter a grace period and then become available to the public. I have seen businesses lose email service because a domain lapsed quietly during busy periods, including Dashain holidays when support desks run thin. Keep the registrant contact email active since registry notices go to that address. Enable registrar lock if offered to block unauthorised transfers. For high-value brands, also register common misspellings and the .com variant. Store credentials in a team password manager with a backup admin contact rather than relying on one shared login.
Most failures are operational, not technical. Teams register under a personal email instead of the company, leave DNS pointing at an old host after migration, skip SSL on the bare domain, or ignore MX records assuming the web host handles email. Mixed HTTP and HTTPS content hurts rankings, and letting a domain expire during festival weeks breaks both the site and mail. Website migrations fail when DNS and registrar access sit with different vendors and nobody owns the domain panel. Schedule quarterly checks on WHOIS expiry, SSL validity, MX health, and backup restore tests. Treat DNS, SSL, email, and renewals as ongoing operations, not a one-time checkbox.
Register both when your brand matters locally and internationally. A Nepal-only law firm or clinic gains credibility with .com.np, while a startup targeting export markets benefits from a global .com that registers instantly without Nepali document rules. Pick one canonical host — either www or non-www — and 301 redirect all other variants to it. Submit the chosen property in Google Search Console after DNS is stable. Before registering, confirm the name works on social handles and email for consistent branding. For important brands, also consider common misspellings. Align domain ownership, PAN records, and payment gateway KYC early so eCommerce integration does not stall after launch.
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