🎯 Who This Tutorial Is For
Nepali students, freelance developers, and registered companies looking to secure an official, free national country code top-level domain (.np) for personal portfolios or commercial websites.
📋 Prerequisites
- ✓Nepali Citizenship Certificate (Nagarikta), Passport, or Driving License (for personal domains)
- ✓Company Registration / PAN Certificate (for business/organization domains)
- ✓Two valid DNS nameservers (e.g. from Cloudflare or your web host)
🚀 What You Will Learn & Build
- ▸Rules governing .np domain name eligibility and naming conventions
- ▸Differences between .com.np, .org.np, .edu.np, and other sub-domains
- ▸Step-by-step account creation and domain application submission
- ▸Writing an acceptable Cover Letter / Request Letter (with template)
- ▸Configuring DNS nameservers for Cloudflare or hosting
- ▸Solving application rejections and tracking status
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1. What is a .np Domain and Why is it Free?
The `.np` country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is managed by **Mercantile Communication Pvt. Ltd.** under authorization from the Government of Nepal.
Unlike global domains like `.com` which require an annual fee of $10-$15, `.np` domains are provided **completely free of charge** for lifetime usage to Nepali citizens and registered organizations.
Available extensions:
- **.com.np:** For personal use (citizens) or commercial businesses.
- **.org.np:** For non-profit organizations, NGOs, and INGOs.
- **.edu.np:** For educational institutions, schools, and colleges.
- **.gov.np:** Reserved strictly for Government of Nepal ministries and departments.
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2. Crucial Naming Rules (Avoid Instant Rejection)
The #1 reason applications get rejected is naming rule violations.
**For Personal Domains:**
- The domain name **must strictly match or derive from your full legal name** as printed on your Nepali citizenship certificate.
- Example for applicant *Manoj Neupane*:
- ✅ `manojneupane.com.np`
- ✅ `neupanemanoj.com.np`
- ✅ `manoj-neupane.com.np`
- ✅ `mneupane.com.np`
- ❌ `nepaltech.com.np` (Rejected! Generic terms require company registration)
- ❌ `superdeveloper.com.np` (Rejected! Not your legal name)
**For Companies / Organizations:**
- The domain name must match the registered company name or brand name on your official registration certificate.
⚠️ Warning— Zero Tolerance on Name Mismatches
Never apply for a personal domain that does not directly correspond to the name on your citizenship certificate. It will be rejected automatically.
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3. Required Documents to Prepare
Before filling out the form on [register.com.np](https://register.com.np/), prepare clean, legible image scans (JPG, PNG, or PDF under 200 KB each):
1. **Citizenship Card (Front & Back):** Clear scan or high-res photo.
2. **Cover Letter / Request Letter:** Signed written or printed letter formally requesting the domain name.
3. **Primary & Secondary Nameservers:** e.g., Cloudflare nameservers (`ns1.cloudflare.com`, `ns2.cloudflare.com`).
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4. Editable Cover Letter Template (Copy & Customize)
You can type this letter, print it, sign it, and upload a clear photo or scan. Alternatively, you can digitally sign a PDF.
CoverLetter.txt
Date: [Date, e.g., October 18, 2026]
To,
The Domain Registration Administrator,
Mercantile Communication Pvt. Ltd.,
Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Subject: Request for personal .com.np domain registration
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing this letter to formally request the registration of the domain name "[yourname.com.np]" under my name.
I am a citizen of Nepal holding Citizenship Certificate Number [Your Citizenship No.], issued by the District Administration Office of [Your District Name]. The requested domain name directly reflects my legal name and will be used strictly for personal portfolio, educational blogging, and non-commercial professional showcase purposes.
I have attached clear scanned copies of my Citizenship Certificate (both front and back) along with this letter for verification.
Requested Domain Name: [yourname.com.np]
Applicant Full Name: [Your Full Name]
Citizenship Number: [Your Citizenship Number]
Primary Nameserver: [e.g., pam.ns.cloudflare.com]
Secondary Nameserver: [e.g., ray.ns.cloudflare.com]
I kindly request you to approve my application. Thank you for your time and cooperation.
Sincerely,
_________________________
[Your Full Name]
Contact Phone: [Your Mobile Number]
Email: [Your Email Address]
Address: [Your City/District, Nepal]5
5. Step-by-Step Submission on register.com.np
1. Visit [register.com.np](https://register.com.np/) and click **User Login** → **Create User**.
2. Fill in your name, email, and password. Confirm your account via the activation link sent to your email.
3. Once logged in, enter your requested domain in the search box (e.g., `manojneupane.com.np`) and click **Register Now**.
4. **Primary & Secondary Nameservers:** Enter your hosting or Cloudflare DNS nameservers.
5. **Administrative Contact:** Enter your personal information accurately.
6. **Upload Documents:** Upload your Citizenship front and back in the identification field, and upload your signed cover letter in the cover letter field.
7. Click **Submit**. The review typically takes **1 to 3 business days**.
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6. Connecting Your Approved .np Domain to Cloudflare & Vercel
Because register.com.np only allows updating **Nameservers** (not individual A or CNAME records directly in the portal), the best practice in Nepal is to point your .np domain to **Cloudflare** for free DNS management:
1. Create a free account at [Cloudflare.com](https://www.cloudflare.com/).
2. Add your domain: `manojneupane.com.np`.
3. Cloudflare will assign you two nameservers (e.g. `amber.ns.cloudflare.com` and `jake.ns.cloudflare.com`).
4. Enter these nameservers in register.com.np.
5. In Cloudflare, add your CNAME or A records pointing to Vercel, cPanel, or VPS.
✨ Expected Output & Verification
Upon successful review by Mercantile: - You will receive an approval email from hostmaster@mercantile.com.np stating: "Your domain [yourname.com.np] has been approved and activated." - WHOIS query on register.com.np will show: Status: Active Registrant: [Your Name]
🧪 How to Test the Implementation
- 1Check application status under 'Active Domains' in register.com.np dashboard
- 2Run terminal command: `dig NS yourname.com.np +short` to confirm nameservers resolved
- 3Verify Cloudflare reports 'Active' status for your domain
⚠️ Common Errors & How to Fix Them
❌Application Rejected: Name does not match identification
Root Cause: Applying for nicknames or generic terms without matching citizenship documents.
Fix: Re-apply using your exact first and last name as spelled on your citizenship card.
❌File upload size exceeded
Root Cause: Image files are larger than 200 KB.
Fix: Compress your JPG/PNG files using an image optimizer like TinyPNG before uploading.
❌Invalid Nameserver
Root Cause: Typo in nameserver address or using nonexistent nameserver hosts.
Fix: Double-check nameserver hostnames from your hosting provider or Cloudflare.
🛡️ Security Considerations & Best Practices
- !Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on your register.com.np account to prevent unauthorized nameserver hijacking.
- !Keep your registered email active; renewal verification requests are sent to this address.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, Mercantile Communications provides .np domains free of charge with no annual renewal fees for legitimate Nepali citizens and registered businesses.
📌 Summary of Key Takeaways
- ✓Personal .np domains require matching citizenship certificates and a signed cover letter.
- ✓Mercantile offers lifetime free registration on register.com.np.
- ✓Point nameservers to Cloudflare for flexible DNS record management.
Official References & Further Reading
- 🔗Official .NP Domain Registrar (Mercantile)— Official registration and user portal for .np domains.
- 🔗Himalayan Host Knowledgebase Reference— Community documentation and historical requirements overview.
MN
Written by Manoj Neupane
AuthorSoftware developer and programming instructor, Nepal
Building software systems and SaaS platforms with Laravel, Next.js, and Node.js. Passionate about helping students and developers in Nepal master practical, real-world development skills.
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