How to Register a Free .com.np Domain in Nepal (2026 Guide)

Nepal is one of the few countries in the world where you can register a country domain completely free — no registration fee, no renewal fee, forever. The .com.np extension (and other .np domains) is managed by Mercantile Communications and given out at no cost to eligible Nepali individuals and organizations. This guide walks you through the entire process as it works in 2026: who qualifies, exactly which documents you need, and how to get approved in about two working days.

The one catch that trips most people up is the document requirement — so we'll spend real time on that, including a request-letter template you can copy.

Already have (or planning) a .com.np domain? You'll need hosting to put a website on it. See BabalCloud's hosting plans, or learn how to point a domain at your hosting.

What is a .com.np domain and why is it free?

.com.np is the commercial second-level domain under Nepal's country-code top-level domain, .np. It's the standard choice for Nepali businesses and organizations that want a clearly local web address. Registration and renewal are handled free of charge by Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd. through the official portal at register.com.np — Nepal's designated .np registry.

Because it's free and locally trusted, a .com.np domain is often the best first choice for a Nepali business, school, or organization. The trade-off is that it requires identity/registration documents to prove your connection to Nepal, which a paid .com does not.

Are you eligible?

Eligibility depends on whether you're registering as an individual or an organization.

As an individual, you qualify if you're a Nepali citizen and can provide one of:

• Citizenship certificate
• Passport issued by the Government of Nepal
• Driving licence issued by the Government of Nepal

Individuals typically register a domain based on their own name.

As an organization, you qualify if you can provide proof of registration in Nepal, such as:

• Company/firm registration certificate
• PAN/VAT registration certificate
• Registration of a branch or liaison office (for foreign entities operating in Nepal)

Organizations must choose a domain name related to their registered name, product, service, or brand — you can't register an unrelated or generic name.

The documents you'll need

This is where most applications get delayed. Prepare these before you start:

The request letter is the piece people forget. For company and organization registrations, you need a short letter, typed on your official letterhead, addressed to the registry, requesting the domain and signed with an authorized signature and stamp.

Request letter template

Copy and adapt this onto your organization's letterhead:

[Your Organization Letterhead]
 
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
 
To,
The Domain Registration Team
Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd.
Kathmandu, Nepal
 
Subject: Request for registration of the domain "[yourdomain].com.np"
 
Dear Sir/Madam,
 
We, [Organization Name], a registered organization in Nepal
(Registration No. [xxxx]), would like to request the registration
of the domain name "[yourdomain].com.np" for our official use.
 
We confirm that the requested domain name relates to our
registered organization name/brand. Please find our registration
documents attached for verification.
 
Thank you.
 
Sincerely,
[Authorized Person's Name]
[Designation]
[Signature & Company Stamp]

Step-by-step: registering your .com.np domain

Step 1 — Create an account at register.com.np

Go to register.com.np (the official registry) and create a user account with your email and phone number. Verify your email.

Step 2 — Search for your domain

Use the search tool to check whether your desired .com.np name is available. If it's taken, you'll need an alternative — try your brand name, a location suffix, or a service keyword.

Step 3 — Add the domain and enter your details

Add the available domain to your registration and fill in the registrant details. Make sure the registrant information matches your documents exactly — mismatches cause rejections.

Step 4 — Upload your documents

Attach the required documents for your registration type: your ID (individuals) or your registration certificate plus the request letter (organizations). Make sure scans are clear and readable.

Step 5 — Submit and wait for approval

Submit the request. The registry manually reviews documents, so approval usually takes around two working days. You'll get an email once the domain is approved and active.

Step 6 — Configure your nameservers

Once approved, log in to the registry's DNS panel and point your domain's nameservers at your hosting provider. This is the step that connects your free domain to an actual website — covered next.

After approval: connecting your domain to a website

A registered domain on its own doesn't show anything — it needs hosting to store your website's files. The two-part setup is:

1. Get a hosting plan and note the nameservers your host gives you (they look like ns1.yourhost.com).
2. Update your nameservers at register.com.np to those values. DNS changes take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to propagate.

Once that's done, visitors typing your .com.np address will land on your website. If you're new to this, our guide on registering and pointing a domain walks through the hosting side in detail, and BabalCloud's plans include free SSL so your .com.np site loads securely from day one.

Should you choose .com.np or .com?

Both are valid — it depends on your audience:

• Choose .com.np if your customers are in Nepal and local trust matters. It's free, clearly Nepali, and great for local SEO.
• Choose .com if you're targeting an international audience or want the most universally recognized extension. It's paid (typically NPR 1,500–2,000/year) but has no document requirements and registers instantly.

Many businesses register both and redirect one to the other. We compare the two in depth in a separate guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is a .com.np domain really free forever?

Yes. There is no registration fee and no renewal fee for .np domains in Nepal. You only pay if you also buy hosting or a paid domain like .com.

How long does .com.np registration take?

Typically about two working days, because the registry manually reviews your submitted documents before approving the domain.

Can I register a .com.np domain from outside Nepal?

Yes, as long as you're a Nepali citizen (or a Nepal-registered organization) and can provide the required documents. Your physical location doesn't matter — your eligibility documents do.

Why was my .com.np application rejected?

The most common reasons are unclear document scans, a missing request letter for organizations, a registrant name that doesn't match the documents, or a domain name unrelated to your registered organization name.

Do I need hosting to register a domain?

No — registration and hosting are separate. But you'll need hosting to actually put a website online at your domain.

Can I transfer my .com.np domain to another host later?

You don't transfer the domain itself (the registry keeps it), but you can repoint its nameservers to any host at any time from register.com.np. See our domain transfer guide for moving your hosting.

Summary

A free .com.np domain is one of the best deals available to any Nepali business or individual — permanent, free, and locally trusted. The whole process comes down to three things: meet the eligibility criteria, prepare clean documents (including the request letter for organizations), and submit at register.com.np. Two working days later, point the nameservers at your host and you're live.

Ready to put a site on your domain? BabalCloud hosting gives your .com.np address a fast, secure home with free SSL and daily backups included.