The .com.np domain is Nepal’s biggest bargain for a local website: free to register and free to renew. The only catch is that it’s manual — you submit documents, your nameservers must be ready, and Mercantile Communications reviews it. This 2026 guide walks you through exactly how to register one via the official portal register.com.np without the common mistakes that delay approval.
Before you begin
- Choose a unique domain name. Your site name in kebab- or plain form, preferably matching your personal name or business name.
- Buy (or get free) hosting first. You must provide two DNS nameservers in the application. Without them, your application won’t be processed. You can pair a free domain with free hosting — see host a website for free with Cloudflare Pages.
- Prepare documents based on whether you’re an individual or an organisation.
Documents needed
| Applicant | Required |
|---|---|
| Individual | Citizenship certificate (front and back scan) or passport; a request/cover letter; passport-size photo (as prompted). |
| Business/organisation | Company/firm registration certificate, official cover letter on letterhead with stamp and signature, ID of authorised person, and any other documents as requested. |
File format: JPG/PNG/PDF, under 200 KB per file. Avoid spaces or special characters in filenames.
Step-by-step registration
- Check availability. Go to register.com.np and search for your desired domain name.
- Create an account. Sign up, verify your email, and log in.
- Start new domain registration. Apply for a new domain, select .com.np, and enter your desired name.
- Enter nameservers. Provide your primary and secondary DNS nameservers (from your hosting provider). If using Cloudflare Pages, they’ll give you the nameservers to use.
- Fill details. Provide your full name/address/contact, and upload your documents and cover letter.
- Submit. Review carefully and submit your application. You’ll get a reference number.
- Wait for approval. Mercantile manually reviews the application — typically 1–3 working days. Check the status in your register.com.np dashboard.
- Go live. Once approved, your domain will be active and will resolve to your hosting. You can update DNS records from the domain management panel.
Writing a cover letter (individual)
For an individual, include:
- Purpose: personal domain registration
- Your full name and address
- Requested domain name (e.g.
yourname.com.np) - Primary and secondary nameservers
- Date and your signature
Keep it concise and honest — the review is straightforward for clean applications.
Common rejection causes
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Invalid or missing nameservers | Get valid nameservers from your host before applying |
| Oversized documents | Compress to under 200 KB |
| Filename issues | Use citizenship.jpg etc, no spaces/special characters |
| Name mismatch | Use the exact name from your citizenship |
| Missing cover letter | Attach a proper request letter |
| Already taken | Choose an alternative name |
Reverification and keeping it safe
.com.np domains do not expire, but the registry periodically runs a reverification process. If your domain is in “Reverification State,” you’ll need to respond within the given time (usually 35 days) by submitting the required documents to keep ownership. Keep your administrative contact email up to date so you don’t miss these notices.
The bottom line
Registering a .com.np domain is free and worthwhile for a Nepali presence. Get hosting and nameservers first, prepare clean documents, apply via register.com.np, and expect approval in 1–3 working days. Once live, point it to your site and add it to Google Search Console.
Fact-checked September 2026 against register.com.np and Mercantile guidance. Portal steps and requirements can change; confirm current requirements. General information.
