If you're a Nepali developer, student, freelancer, or small business owner, you've probably heard that you can get a .com.np domain completely free of cost through Nepal's official domain registry. No credit card, no annual renewal fee, no hidden charges — just some paperwork, a name that fits the rules, and a bit of patience while a real human reviews your request.
I recently went through the entire process myself while setting up this portfolio site, so this guide combines two things: my own screen-by-screen experience registering milanthapa17.com.np, and verified rules straight from the registry's own policy documents, so you're not just following screenshots blindly — you'll know why each step exists.
What is a .com.np domain, and who runs it?
.np is Nepal's official country-code top-level domain (ccTLD). You can't register directly under .np — instead, domains are issued under specific second-level categories, the most common of which is .com.np. The full list of accepted second-level domains is com.np, org.np, edu.np, net.np, gov.np, name.np, coop.np, and mil.np.
The entire registry is administered by Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd, and the only official portal for registration is register.com.np. Registration under the .np ccTLD is free of cost, and domains are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis — but every application still goes through manual review, and specific terms and conditions apply.
Eligibility: who can actually register one
This is the part most "quick guides" gloss over, so let's be precise:
- Nepali individuals can register with a valid citizenship certificate.
- Registered Nepali businesses/organizations can register with a company or organization registration certificate.
- Foreign companies can also qualify, but only if they have an official local presence in Nepal — as a joint venture, partnership, agency, or licensee — and can submit documents proving that local presence.
In short: if you're a Nepali citizen or you run a business registered in Nepal, you're covered. If you're a foreign entity with no local presence, a plain .com.np isn't available to you directly.
Naming rules you must follow
The registry doesn't let you register just any name — there are real content and identity rules:
- The domain name must be at least 3 characters long.
- Only letters, numbers, and hyphens are allowed — the first and last characters cannot be a hyphen.
- Internationalized domain names (non-Latin scripts) aren't currently supported.
- Names containing offensive, generic, or inflammatory words will be rejected.
- Traditionally, a personal domain application must be based on the applicant's own name (e.g., a name like
johndoe.com.np), and a company/organization domain must be based on the registered business, product, brand, or service name. This rule has reportedly been relaxed somewhat over time to allow a bit more flexibility, but sticking close to your real name or business name still gives you the smoothest approval — using an unrelated name increases the chance of rejection or a request for clarification.
This is exactly why, in the screenshots below, my first domain attempt (a plain name match) was already taken, and I had to try a close variation instead.
Required documents
Based on the applicant type, here's what the registry expects:
Personal (individual) domain:
- A clear scanned copy of your Nepali citizenship certificate
- A short cover letter stating your name and the domain you're requesting
Company/organization domain:
- A scanned copy of the company/organization registration certificate
- A cover letter on official letterhead, ideally signed and stamped
Foreign entity (with local presence):
- Documents proving your official local presence in Nepal (joint venture, partnership, agency, or licensee agreement)
- A cover letter explaining the relationship
Keep your scans legible — a blurry or cropped citizenship photo is one of the most common reasons applications get delayed.
What you'll need before you start
- A valid email address
- A scanned or clearly photographed copy of your citizenship certificate (or company registration certificate)
- A short, one-paragraph cover letter
- Your desired domain name, plus 2–3 backup options
- A primary and secondary name server, if you already have hosting (optional at this stage — you can update DNS later)
With that ready, let's walk through the actual process.
Step 1: Check domain availability
Head to register.com.np. On the homepage, you'll see a "Check domain availability" search box front and center.
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You'll also notice an "Important Notice to Domain Owners" banner — the registry has been running a domain re-verification drive for existing domain holders since December 2024, sending reverification emails to registered contacts. If you already own a .com.np domain, keep your contact details current so your domain doesn't get flagged as parked. For a first-time registration, this doesn't affect you directly — just type your desired name (no www, no http://, no extension) and hit Search.
Step 2: Create your account
Click User Login in the top navigation. On the sign-in page, choose Create user instead of signing in, since this is your first visit.
You'll need:
- Full name — enter it exactly as it appears on your citizenship certificate, since this gets cross-checked later
- User email — becomes your login username
- Password — must include at least one uppercase letter, one number, and be at least seven characters
- Confirm password
Step 3: Sign in to your dashboard
Log back in with your new credentials. Tick Remember me if you're on a personal device.
You'll land on the "Apply new domain" dashboard — your control center for the whole process.
The dashboard has two tabs:
- New request/under approval — pending applications
- Active domain — domains already live under your account
On a brand-new account, "New request" will show "No data available in table".
For reference, here's what the Active domain tab looks like once you have approved domains — with quick links to Edit info, Edit DNS, and View for each one.
Step 4: Search for your desired domain name
Type your first-choice name and hit Search. Given the naming rules above, expect common or generic names to already be taken:
This is completely normal — try a close variation of your own name instead of giving up:
Eventually you'll see a green "Congratulations!" message confirming availability, with a Register now button:\
Step 5: Fill out the domain request form
Clicking Register now opens the Domain request form, split into three parts:
- —Name server — primary and secondary
- —Administrative contact — legally responsible party
- —Technical contact — technical/DNS manager (can mirror the administrative contact)
If you already have hosting, enter the name servers your provider gave you (e.g., ns1.yourhost.com, ns2.yourhost.com). Important: raw IP addresses are strictly prohibited here — the registry requires a proper fully qualified domain name (FQDN). If you don't have hosting yet, you can enter placeholder values and update your DNS later from the Edit DNS option once approved.
Fill in your Administrative and Technical contact sections — full name, country, province, city, address, email, mobile. There's a "Copy Administrative contact" checkbox if both roles are the same person.
Click Save & Continue once everything looks right.
Step 6: Upload your required documents
You'll land on the "Submit required documents" page.
The sidebar reiterates the same document rules covered earlier: citizenship + cover letter for personal domains, company registration + cover letter for organizations. On the live system, each uploaded file must currently be under 200 kilobytes, so compress your scans beforehand if needed.
To upload:
- —Choose the Document Title (e.g., "Cover letter" or "Registration/Citizenship document")
- —Click Choose File
- —Click Save Image
Once uploaded, each document shows as a thumbnail preview with a Delete option in case you need to redo it. (For privacy, I've blurred the actual ID photo in the screenshots below — on the real site it appears as a clear thumbnail of your uploaded document.)
I uploaded three files total: the front of my citizenship, the back, and my cover letter.
Cover letter tip: Keep it short and formal — your full name, the domain you're requesting, your intended purpose (e.g., "a personal portfolio website to showcase my work"), and a polite closing line. One paragraph is enough.
Step 7: Submit and wait for approval
Tick the box confirming you've read and accept the Terms and Conditions, then click Request domain / Proceed.
Your dashboard's "New request/under approval" tab will now show your submission with a status message.
At this stage the status reads: "Your domain request is received and wait for approval." You can still use Edit doc to update your uploaded files, or View your submission, while it's pending.
How long does approval actually take?
This varies more than most guides admit, so here's the honest range pulled from the registry's own policy and real user reports:
- The registry states it may take at least 24 hours to register or modify a domain.
- Independent sources report a typical range of 1 to 5 business days, though during busy periods it can stretch to a week or more.
- If your application is rejected (missing or unclear documents, name doesn't fit the rules, etc.), the registry generally does not hold rejected requests for more than 3–4 business days — so check your dashboard regularly and be ready to fix and resubmit promptly.
Once approved, your domain moves from "New request" to the Active domain tab, and you can configure DNS and go live.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Blurry or oversized document uploads. The file size limit is strict on the live system — compress your images, but keep the text and photo legible.
- A domain name that doesn't match your identity. Personal domains are expected to reflect your own name; business domains should reflect the registered business/brand name. Random, unrelated names raise your rejection risk.
- Mismatched names across the form. Your account name, administrative contact, and citizenship document should all agree.
- Using an IP address instead of a proper name server. Always use a valid FQDN (
ns1.yourhost.com), never a raw IP. - Skipping the cover letter. It's a required document for every applicant type, not an optional formality.
- Sitting on a rejected application. Rejected requests aren't kept indefinitely — act quickly if you're asked for more information or your first attempt is declined.
Frequently Asked Questions
- —Is a .com.np domain really 100% free?
Yes — registration itself is free of cost, on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll still pay separately for hosting and any DNS/email services you choose to add.
2. Can foreigners register a .com.np domain?
Only if the foreign company has a genuine local presence in Nepal (joint venture, partnership, agency, or licensee) backed by supporting documents. A plain personal .com.np domain is intended for Nepali citizens.
3. Does my domain name have to match my own name?
Traditionally yes for personal domains, and the registered business/brand name for organizations. Enforcement has reportedly loosened somewhat over the years, but staying close to your real name or business name remains the safest path to approval.
4. How long does approval take?
At least 24 hours by policy, typically 1–5 business days in practice, sometimes longer during high registry workload.
5. What if my chosen domain name is taken?
Try a close variation — your name plus a relevant word, initials, or a short number. The live search tool tells you instantly.
6. Can I update my name servers later?
Yes, once your domain is active, you can update DNS anytime via Edit DNS on your dashboard.
7. What documents do I need?
Personal: citizenship copy + cover letter. Organization: company registration copy + cover letter. Foreign entity: proof of local presence + cover letter.
Final thoughts
Registering a .com.np domain is one of the most cost-effective ways for Nepali creators, freelancers, and businesses to get a professional, locally-branded web presence. The process is manual and document-heavy compared to buying a .com with a credit card, but it's genuinely straightforward once you understand the eligibility and naming rules going in — most of the friction people run into comes from skipping those rules, not from the platform itself.
To recap: create an account → search for an available, identity-matching name → fill out the request form → upload your documents → submit and wait for review. No payment gateway, no recurring fees — just the right paperwork.
If you're building your own personal portfolio like I did, a clean .com.np domain is a great way to make your online presence feel official. Good luck with your registration! 🇳🇵
