.com.np Domain Registration in Nepal (2026): Free Step-by-Step Guide, Documents & Cover Letter
Last checked: October 2026 · Every rule below was verified against the official registry pages at register.com.np
A .com.np domain is still one of the best deals on the internet: it is Nepal’s own address, Nepali customers trust it, and the registry charges nothing for it. The catch is that the process is document-based, not click-and-pay, and small mistakes (a blurry citizenship scan, a domain that doesn’t match your name, an IP address instead of a name server) get applications rejected every day.
While researching this guide we also found that several top-ranking articles now give wrong information, such as claiming .com.np costs NPR 1,500 to 2,000 a year, that individuals cannot register it, or that it must be renewed annually. We compared those claims with what the registry itself publishes, so you can apply once and get approved.
Quick answer: how to register a .com.np domain
- Search your name on register.com.np and click Register Now.
- Create an account with your email and password, then verify the email.
- Log in, fill the domain form and add your hosting name servers (in ns1.example.com format).
- Upload your ID (personal) or company registration + stamped request letter (business) as JPG/PNG, each under 800 KB.
- Wait for approval, usually 3 to 4 business days. Registration is free.
Rs 0
Registration & modification fee
3–4 days
Typical approval (business days)
800 KB
Max size per uploaded file
No expiry
Periodic reverification instead
What Is a .com.np Domain?
.np is Nepal’s country code top-level domain (ccTLD). You cannot register a name directly under .np; instead you register under a second-level extension such as .com.np, .org.np or .edu.np. The registry is run by Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd. (Hiti Pokhari, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu), which also operates the primary name server for .np.
Officially, .com.np is described as an open extension: originally meant for businesses, it has become the “main” Nepali extension and is now used by companies, non-profits, schools and private individuals alike. That is why you see everything from bank websites to personal portfolios on .com.np.
Is .com.np Domain Registration Really Free in 2026?
Yes. The registry’s own FAQ, registry policy and terms all state that registration and modification under .np are free of cost. Mercantile provides it as a service to Nepal’s IT sector, and its terms note it will stay free as long as Mercantile continues providing it.
So where does the confusion come from? Mostly from reseller blog posts and from a government draft bill. Here is what is actually true:
| Claim you may read online | What register.com.np says |
|---|---|
| ✗ “.com.np costs NPR 1,500 to 2,000 per year” | ✓ Registration under .np is free of cost |
| ✗ “Individuals can’t register .com.np” | ✓ Nepali citizens can register personal domains based on their own name |
| ✗ “Renew every year or lose it after a 30-day grace period” | ✓ .com.np domains do not expire; inactive ones go through reverification |
| ✗ “Upload your documents as PDF” | ✓ Accepted formats are JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF and SVG, max 800 KB each |
| ✗ “Give your server IP for DNS” | ✓ Only FQDN name servers (ns1.host.com) are accepted; IP addresses are rejected |
What about the “government will charge for .np” news?
In 2024 the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology published a draft Information Technology and Cyber Security Bill. It proposed moving .np management to a government department, charging a registration fee and renewing domains every two years, with existing domains re-registering within six months of the law taking effect. As of October 2026 it is still a proposal; no fee has been announced and register.com.np still lists registration as free. If the law passes, expect a transition window rather than overnight loss of your domain. We will update this guide if that changes.
Who Can Register a .com.np Domain? (Eligibility)
According to the registry FAQ, three groups are eligible:
- Nepalese citizens, for a personal domain based on their own name.
- Local entities: companies, firms, partnerships and organizations registered in Nepal.
- Foreign and multinational companies that legally exist in Nepal (branch, liaison office, joint venture, agent or licensee).
Non-Resident Nepalis (with an NRN ID card) and foreign nationals holding a Nepalese resident visa can also apply for a personal domain. Entities with a trademark registered in Nepal, or a trademark filing receipt from the Department of Industry, qualify too.
The name-matching rule (the #1 reason people get rejected)
- Personal: the domain must be based only on the name in your ID. Example: Ram Bahadur Thapa can apply for rambahadurthapa.com.np or ramthapa.com.np, but not bestnepalitravel.com.np.
- Last name or caste name alone (thapa.com.np, sharma.com.np) is not allowed for personal requests; those are reserved for organizations representing that name.
- Business: the domain must match your company name, product name, service name or brand name as shown in your registration documents. Generic keyword domains are not given to foreign corporations either.
Which .np Extension Should You Choose?
Picking the wrong extension is an official rejection reason. Use this table from the registry’s extension list:
| Extension | Meant for | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| .com.np | Commercial / open | Businesses, startups, freelancers, personal sites |
| .org.np | Non-profit organizations | NGOs, clubs, associations |
| .edu.np | Educational institutions | Schools, colleges, universities |
| .net.np | Networks / umbrella portals | ISPs, multi-site portals |
| .name.np | Individuals, by name | Personal portfolios |
| .coop.np | Cooperatives only | Saving & credit cooperatives |
| .gov.np | Government bodies | Handled by NITC, not register.com.np |
| .mil.np | Nepal military | Nepal Army only |
Documents Required for .com.np Registration
Personal domain
- One ID showing your name: citizenship certificate (both sides), passport, driving license or voter card
- Or NRN ID card / Nepalese resident visa
- A short request (cover) letter, signed
- Your hosting name servers
Company / organization domain
- Company / firm / organization registration certificate
- Request letter on official letterhead with stamp and authorized signature
- Foreign entities: branch/liaison registration or SWC affiliation; PAN certificate for non-incorporated entities
- Trademark certificate or filing receipt if applying by brand
File rules: JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF or SVG only, maximum 800 KB per file. Phone photos are usually 2 to 5 MB, so compress them first (any free image compressor works) while keeping the name and citizenship number clearly readable.
Before You Apply: 3 Things to Prepare
- Get hosting first. The form asks for name servers, and they must be valid hostnames such as ns1.yourhost.com. Buy hosting (or set up Cloudflare) before applying. Our web hosting Nepal price guide compares real NPR costs.
- Shortlist 2 to 3 names that match your ID or company documents, in case your first choice is taken.
- Scan and compress every document under 800 KB, and write your cover letter in advance (templates below).
How to Register a .com.np Domain: Step-by-Step
This is the official flow on register.com.np, shown as a diagram first and then explained step by step.
Search domain
Register Now
Create account
Verify email
Fill form + upload
Approval ✓
Step 1: Check availability
Go to register.com.np, type the name you want with the extension and click Search. If it is taken, try your next shortlisted name. You can also use the Whois Lookup to see who holds an existing domain.
Step 2: Click “Register Now”
If the domain is available, click Register Now. You will be taken to the login/sign-up page.
Step 3: Create your account
Enter your email and a password, fill in your details and click Create Accounts. Use an email you will keep for years: it becomes the registrant contact, and you need it later to change name servers or pass reverification.
Step 4: Verify your email
Open the verification email (check spam) and confirm your account.
Step 5: Fill the domain form and upload documents
Sign in and complete the application:
- Administrative contact: full name, organization, address, phone and email. Missing fields are an official rejection reason.
- Technical contact: your web developer or yourself.
- Name servers: at least the primary and secondary from your host, for example ns1.yourhost.com and ns2.yourhost.com.
- Attachments: ID or company certificate plus cover letter, each under 800 KB.
Step 6: Wait for approval
The FAQ says approval usually takes 3 to 4 business days or more depending on backlog; the registry policy mentions a minimum of 24 hours. If rejected, read the reason in your dashboard and resubmit quickly, because rejected requests are not held for more than three to four business days.
Sample Cover Letter for .com.np Domain Registration
Copy, edit the brackets, sign, then photograph or scan it as JPG/PNG.
Personal domain request letter
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
To,
The Hostmaster
Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd.
Hiti Pokhari, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Subject: Request for registration of .com.np domain
Dear Sir/Madam,
I, [Full Name as in citizenship], a citizen of Nepal (Citizenship No. [number]), request you to kindly register the domain [yourname].com.np in my name. The domain will be used for my [personal website / portfolio / blog].
Primary name server: [ns1.yourhost.com]
Secondary name server: [ns2.yourhost.com]
A copy of my citizenship certificate is attached for verification.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Full Name]
[Address, Phone, Email]
Company domain request letter (print on letterhead)
[Company Letterhead]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
To,
The Hostmaster
Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd.
Hiti Pokhari, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Subject: Request for registration of [companyname].com.np
Dear Sir/Madam,
[Company Name], registered at the Office of Company Registrar (Reg. No. [number]), requests the registration of [companyname].com.np for our official website and email. The domain matches our registered company name.
Primary name server: [ns1.yourhost.com]
Secondary name server: [ns2.yourhost.com]
Our company registration certificate is attached.
[Authorized Signature] [Company Stamp]
[Name, Designation]
[Phone, Email]
How Long Does .com.np Registration Take? (Timeline)
From starting the form to a live website, plan for about one working week. Here is how the time splits, based on the registry’s published processing times (upper typical range):
Typical time per stage (days)
Account, form & uploads: under 1 hour
Document review & approval: 1 to 4 business days
Name server changes: processed twice a day
DNS propagation: 24 to 48 hours
14 Official Rejection Reasons (and How to Avoid Them)
The registry publishes 14 common rejection cases. We grouped them by cause: half of them are about documents, which you fully control.
Official rejection cases by category (out of 14)
Document problems: 7
Name does not match documents: 3
Form, extension or DNS errors: 3
General policy rejection: 1
| Rejection reason | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Missing name, email or mobile | Fill every contact field before submitting |
| Last name / caste name only | Use first + last name, e.g. sitasharma.com.np |
| Wrong extension | Schools use .edu.np, NGOs .org.np, others .com.np |
| Unreadable or blurry documents | Scan in good light; compress, do not crop |
| Missing request letter or company certificate | Upload both for every business application |
| Missing identity document | Attach citizenship, passport, voter ID or license |
| Citizenship number or name not visible | Upload both sides in full |
| Domain does not match company registration | Use company, brand, product or service name |
| Letter without letterhead, stamp or signature | Print on letterhead, sign and stamp |
| Invalid DNS (IP address given) | Enter ns1/ns2 hostnames from your host |
| Additional document required | Keep trademark or brand proof ready |
| Personal domain does not match ID name | Spell it exactly as on your ID |
| Required documents not submitted | Check uploads before clicking submit |
| General policy rejection | Read the stated reason and resubmit corrected |
After Approval: Connect Your Domain (DNS Setup)
If you entered your host’s name servers in the form, your domain points to your hosting automatically once approved. To change them later:
- Run a Whois lookup and make sure the registrant email is yours.
- Log in to register.com.np and open your domain list.
- Choose Edit DNS and enter the new name servers in FQDN format.
- Submit once and wait. Requests by email are not accepted, and repeated requests can delay propagation.
Changes are processed twice a day, then take 24 to 48 hours to propagate worldwide. Once live, install SSL and set up your site; if you are hiring someone, see our guides on website design cost in Nepal and how to hire a freelance web developer in Nepal.
Renewal, Reverification & Ownership Transfer
Do .com.np domains need renewal?
No annual renewal. Because .com.np domains do not expire, Mercantile runs a periodic reverification to release unused, inactive or parked domains. Act only if your dashboard shows the status “Reverification State”. You then submit a request letter confirming ownership plus your ID (personal) or a stamped letter with registration documents (organizations). Ignoring it can lead to the domain being stopped or released, so keep your contact email current.
Can you transfer a .com.np domain?
You cannot move .com.np to GoDaddy, Namecheap or any outside registrar; it stays at register.com.np. You can move it between register.com.np accounts (for example, from your developer’s account to yours). Send a formal letter naming both the current and destination accounts, with ID (personal) or company/brand registration on letterhead (organization), to hostmaster@mercantile.com.np. The receiving person must already have a register.com.np account.
Watch out for paid “.com.np registration”
Some international resellers list .com.np at over USD 60 a year, and some local agencies bundle “domain fees” into website quotes. The registry fee is zero; you only pay for hosting, design or optional help with paperwork. Also make sure the domain is registered in your name and email, not your developer’s.
.com.np vs .com: Which Should You Register?
| Factor | .com.np | .com |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Paid yearly |
| Activation time | Days (document review) | Minutes |
| Name freedom | Must match name / brand | Any available keyword |
| Local trust & geo-targeting | Strong for Nepal | Neutral / global |
| Transfer to other registrars | No | Yes |
| Best for | Nepal-focused businesses, personal sites | Global audience, export, SaaS |
Our take: if your customers are in Nepal, start with .com.np. A ccTLD tells Google your site targets Nepal, which helps local rankings. If you sell abroad, add the .com too and redirect one to the other. Whichever you pick, measure results with the right tools; see our best SEO tools roundup and the Ahrefs vs Semrush vs Ubersuggest comparison.
From Our Desk: Practical Lessons
This site, wilson.com.np, runs on a .com.np domain, and we help readers and small businesses with the same process. A few lessons that save the most time:
- Hosting first, domain second. Having real name servers ready avoids the “Invalid DNS” rejection and a second wait.
- Phone photos fail the 800 KB limit. Compress them, but zoom in afterwards to confirm the citizenship number is still sharp.
- Match the spelling on your ID exactly. Romanized names vary (Shrestha/Shresta); use the one printed on your document.
- Use your own email. Many business owners later lose control because a developer registered the domain under the developer’s account.
- Keep the site live. A parked, empty domain is exactly what reverification targets. Once online, promotion via Facebook advertising in Nepal can bring your first visitors fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is .com.np domain registration free in Nepal?
Yes. Registration and modification under .np are free according to register.com.np. A draft cyber security bill proposes a fee in future, but it has not been implemented as of October 2026.
Can an individual register a .com.np domain?
Yes. Nepali citizens can register a personal domain based on the name on their citizenship, passport, driving license or voter card. NRN card holders and foreigners with a Nepalese resident visa also qualify.
How many days does .com.np approval take?
Usually 3 to 4 business days, sometimes longer when there is a backlog. The minimum is about 24 hours.
Do I need to renew my .com.np domain every year?
No. .com.np domains do not expire. Instead, Mercantile periodically asks owners of domains in “Reverification State” to confirm ownership with a letter and ID.
Can I register any name I want, like bestshoes.com.np?
Not as an individual. Personal domains must match your name, and businesses must use their company, brand, product or service name. For free keyword names, buy a .com instead.
Can I upload a PDF cover letter?
The registry lists JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF and SVG as accepted formats, with a maximum of 800 KB each. Convert your signed letter to an image to be safe.
Can I transfer my .com.np domain to GoDaddy or Namecheap?
No. .com.np stays with register.com.np. You can only move it between register.com.np accounts by emailing a transfer letter to hostmaster@mercantile.com.np.
Why was my .com.np domain rejected?
The most common causes are unreadable documents, a name that doesn’t match your ID or company certificate, a missing stamped letter, or an IP address entered instead of name servers. Fix the stated reason and resubmit within three to four business days.
Conclusion
Registering a .com.np domain in Nepal costs nothing and takes about a week from start to a live site, as long as your paperwork is clean. Get hosting first, choose a name that matches your ID or company documents, compress clear scans under 800 KB, and attach a proper cover letter. Do that, and you avoid nearly every one of the 14 official rejection reasons.
Ready to build the site? Compare hosting prices in Nepal and website design costs next.