If you are a Nepali citizen, you can get a personal .np domain for free (नि:शुल्क .np डोमेन). Nepal's country code domain is run by Mercantile Communication Pvt. Ltd., and anyone with a citizenship certificate can claim a .com.np address that matches their name. I registered bikrambhujel.com.np this way, and this guide walks through the exact steps I followed.
Quick answer
Go to register.com.np, search for a yourname.com.np domain, create an account, add your nameservers, and upload two JPG files under 200 KB each: your citizenship certificate (नागरिकता प्रमाणपत्र) and a signed cover letter. Approval usually takes 1 to 4 working days, and it costs nothing.
Who can register a free personal .np domain?
Check these four things before you start. Most rejections come from one of them.
- Citizenship: you need a valid Nepali citizenship certificate to prove who you are.
- A name-based domain: the domain has to match your legal name. If your name is Bikram Bhujel,
bikrambhujel.com.nporbhujelbikram.com.npwill pass. A brand or a random word will not. - A cover letter: a short signed letter to Mercantile Communication Pvt. Ltd. asking for the domain. Download my cover letter template and fill in your details.
- Nameservers: the registry wants to know where the domain will point before it approves it, so set up hosting or a free Cloudflare account first.
How to register a free .np domain in Nepal, step by step
Step 1: Open the official portal
Go to register.com.np. This is the only official place to register a .np domain. Sellers who offer to do it for you are just filling in the same form.
Step 2: Check if your domain name is available
Type the name you want, for example yourname.com.np, into the search box and press Search. If it is taken, try your surname first or add your middle name.
Step 3: Click Register Now
When the name shows as available, click Register Now next to it. The portal will ask you to sign in or create an account.
Step 4: Create your account
Enter your email address and a strong password, then click Create User. Use an email you check often, because approval and rejection notices are sent there.
Step 5: Add your nameservers
Nameservers tell the internet where your website lives. You have two choices:
- Your hosting provider: if you already pay for hosting, copy the two nameservers they gave you, usually something like
ns1.yourhost.comandns2.yourhost.com. - Cloudflare (free): create a free account, add your domain, and paste in the two nameservers Cloudflare assigns. You get free DNS, SSL and caching. I explain the setup in how to secure your custom domain with Cloudflare.
Step 6: Fill in your contact details
Enter your full name, address, phone number and email exactly as they appear on your citizenship certificate. A spelling difference between the form, the letter and the certificate is one of the most common reasons an application is sent back.
Step 7: Upload your citizenship certificate and cover letter
You upload two files:
- Citizenship certificate: a clear scan or photo with the details easy to read.
- Cover letter: addressed to Mercantile Communication Pvt. Ltd., with your full name, the exact domain you want, why you want it (a personal blog or portfolio, for example), the date and your signature. Use the template if you do not want to write one from scratch.
File rules: each file must be a JPG or JPEG and no bigger than 200 KB.
Phone photos are usually 2 to 5 MB, so they need shrinking first. Use my free Compress Photo to KB tool: drop in the photo, set the maximum size to 200 KB, and it saves a JPG under that limit. It runs in your browser, so your citizenship certificate is never uploaded to anyone's server. If your cover letter is a PDF, turn it into a JPG first with PDF to JPG, then compress it the same way.
Step 8: Submit your application
Check every field once more, then click Request Domain. You will get a confirmation email shortly after.
Step 9: Wait for approval
Mercantile Communication reviews each application by hand. Sign in to register.com.np to see the status, or wait for the email. If it is rejected, the email tells you why. Fix that one thing and submit again; there is no fee for trying again.
Why .np applications get rejected
- The domain does not match the name on the citizenship certificate.
- The name in the form, the letter and the certificate is spelled differently.
- The cover letter is unsigned or names a different domain.
- A file is a PNG or PDF, or is bigger than 200 KB.
- The scan is blurry or cut off.
- The nameservers are missing or wrong.
.np domain registration at a glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free for personal .com.np domains |
| Where to apply | register.com.np (official portal only) |
| Approval time | Usually 1 to 4 working days |
| Documents | Citizenship certificate and signed cover letter |
| File format | JPG or JPEG, 200 KB or less each |
| Naming rule | Must match your legal name |
| Managed by | Mercantile Communication Pvt. Ltd. |
Wrapping up
A personal .np domain is free, looks professional, and tells visitors and search engines that you are in Nepal. The whole process takes about fifteen minutes: check the name, create an account, add nameservers, upload two small JPGs and wait a few days. Once it is approved, point it at Blogger, WordPress or any host you like.
Need to resize a photo for another form, such as Loksewa or a passport application? The same Compress Photo to KB tool works for any size limit, and the Passport Size Photo Maker crops a photo to the right size for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is .np domain registration free in Nepal?
Yes. Personal .com.np domains are free for Nepali citizens. You do not pay to register, and there is no hosting bundle you are forced to buy. You only need a citizenship certificate and a signed cover letter.
What documents do I need to register a .np domain?
Two documents: a scan or photo of your Nepali citizenship certificate, and a signed cover letter addressed to Mercantile Communication Pvt. Ltd. that names the domain you want. Both must be JPG or JPEG files of 200 KB or less.
How do I reduce my citizenship certificate photo to under 200 KB?
Open the free Compress Photo to KB tool on bikrambhujel.com.np, add your photo, set the maximum size to 200 KB and download the JPG. It runs in your browser, so the document is not uploaded anywhere.
How long does .np domain approval take?
Usually 1 to 4 working days after you submit, depending on how many applications the registry is handling. You get an email when it is approved or rejected, and you can check the status on register.com.np.
Can I choose any name for a personal .np domain?
No. A personal .np domain must match your legal name as it appears on your citizenship certificate, such as bikrambhujel.com.np or bhujelbikram.com.np. Brand names need a company registration instead.
What nameservers should I use for a .np domain?
Use the nameservers from your web host, or create a free Cloudflare account, add your domain, and use the two nameservers Cloudflare gives you. Cloudflare also adds free SSL and DNS management.
Can I use a free .np domain with Blogger?
Yes. Once the domain is approved, add it as a custom domain in Blogger settings and create the CNAME records Blogger shows you in your DNS. This site runs on Blogger with a .com.np domain.
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