How to Register a .com.np Domain in Nepal (Free) — Step by Step

Nepal's country-code domains — .com.np, .org.np, .net.np and the rest — are issued free of charge by Mercantile Communications, which operates the .np registry. Free is genuinely free here: there is no registration fee and no renewal fee. What it costs instead is paperwork and a few days of waiting.

Which .np extension applies to you

• .com.np — commercial use. The default for businesses and most personal projects.
• .org.np — non-profits, NGOs and associations.
• .net.np — network and internet service providers.
• .edu.np — educational institutions. Requires documentation from the relevant authority.
• .gov.np — government bodies only.
• .np (second level, e.g. yourname.np) — tightly restricted and rarely granted.

Documents you need before starting

This is where most applications stall. Prepare these first:

For a registered business

• Company or firm registration certificate
• A written request on company letterhead, signed and stamped, asking for the specific domain
• PAN or VAT certificate (commonly requested)

For an individual

• A copy of your citizenship certificate
• A signed written request for the domain

Scan documents as clear, readable PDFs or images. Blurred phone photographs are a frequent cause of rejection.

Step-by-step registration

1. Check availability at the official registry, register.com.np.
2. Create an account with a working email address — every status update arrives there.
3. Enter the domain you want and select the correct extension.
4. Set your nameservers. Your hosting provider supplies these (they look like ns1.yourhost.com). You can submit the application first and set nameservers later.
5. Upload your documents.
6. Submit and wait. Approval typically takes 1–3 working days, occasionally longer around public holidays.

Why applications get rejected

• Name does not match the documents. If your firm is registered as "Himalayan Trading Concern", asking for himalayatrek.com.np invites a rejection. Keep the domain recognisably related to the registered name.
• Unreadable scans.
• Missing letterhead request. The signed, stamped letter is mandatory for businesses and is the single most-forgotten item.
• Wrong extension. An NGO applying for .com.np will usually be redirected to .org.np.
• Trademark conflict. Names matching well-known brands are refused.

After approval: pointing the domain at your hosting

Approval alone does not put your site online. You still need to connect the domain:

1. Log in to your registry account and set the nameservers your host gave you.
2. In your hosting control panel, add the domain so the server knows to answer for it.
3. Wait for DNS propagation — usually 15 minutes to a few hours, occasionally up to 24.
4. Issue an SSL certificate so the site loads over HTTPS. On AstraCloud this is automatic and free via Let's Encrypt.

.com.np or .com — which should you choose?

A .com.np signals clearly that you are a Nepali organisation, costs nothing, and carries real trust with local customers. The trade-offs are worth knowing:

• Paperwork and delay — a .com registers in about two minutes; .com.np takes days.
• Transfers are slower, being a manual process.
• Length — yourbrand.com.np is a lot to say aloud in an advertisement.

Many businesses register both: the .com for general branding and the .com.np redirecting to it, or vice versa. If you have any ambition of serving customers outside Nepal, own the .com as well.

Frequently asked questions

Is .com.np really free forever?

There is no registration or renewal fee from the registry. You still pay for hosting, and you must keep your contact details current and respond if the registry contacts you.

How long does approval take?

Typically 1–3 working days when documents are in order. Incomplete applications can take considerably longer as documents are requested and resubmitted.

Can a foreigner register a .com.np domain?

You need valid Nepali documentation — a citizenship certificate or a Nepal-registered company. A foreign national with a registered business in Nepal can apply using the company documents.

Does a .com.np domain hurt my Google ranking?

No. Country-code domains are a positive signal for local search — a .com.np is treated as relevant to Nepal, which helps for searches made from Nepal. It does make ranking internationally harder, which is the trade-off.

Can I move my .com.np to a different host later?

Yes. Changing hosting simply means updating your nameservers in the registry account. The domain registration itself is unaffected.

Next steps: see our domain search, or read the guide to choosing web hosting in Nepal.