NOTE: Since writing the article in 2000 many changes have come into effect. The main change for .ca registration is the registry is now managed by http://www.cira.ca  From the CIRA web site you can find a directory of registrars to sign up for a .ca domain name at very competitive prices. Another big change  is a healthy drop in pricing for .com annual fees.

A Short History
Internet sites were originally located using an inhospitable numbering system. In 1984 The Domain Name System(DNS) was developed to help bring a user-friendly interface to the Internet. In the beginning registering a .com domain name was free, but in approximately 1994-1995 a $50US annual charge was introduced. In 1999 the maintenance and operation of the Domain Name System was turned over to a not for profit corporation the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN www.icann.org). Until 1999 you had to purchase a .com name from Network Solutions the contractor originally assigned by the U.S. government to maintain the DNS. ICANN opened the registration process up to many accredited registrars (for more information refer to http://www.icann.org/registrars/accredited-list.html) Each registrar is free to compete on pricing and features.

Registering a Name
If you already have a Web site you've been through the process of securing your own Domain Name with a .com or perhaps even a .ca or other country-based extension. This might have been handled by your server company or Web site designer (sometimes for a fee) but it's a simple process and one you can do on your own.

.com Registration
First take a look at some of the offerings and fees of the accredited ICANN registrars located at http://www.icann.org/registrars/accredited-list.html. Always be aware that even though the registrar is listed as Canadian, prices are usually quoted in U.S. Dollars. The average price is $35US with discounts available for multiple year registrations; some registrars are currently offering $50US for a 2-year signup. Once you select a registration company they all have a slightly different process to sign up. The first step is always to make sure the name is available. The better registrars have developed their forms to handhold the beginner through the process and you will eventually arrive to your payment options, one option is to pay by credit card. Some registrars will allow you to also pay by cheque, but this option will hold up your registration until your cheque is received and cleared.

.ca Registration
To receive a .ca registration you must be a Canadian organization. Your organization should be incorporated or chartered in Canada and your administrative contact must be located in Canada.
The University of British Columbia through www.cdnnet.ca currently handles registrations. To receive a .ca domain go to the cdnnet.ca web site and fill out the forms that consist of basic contact and organization information. The registration is reviewed to ensure the name you've requested is applicable to your organization.

The .ca registration process is currently in a state of change. A not-for-profit corporation, The Canadian Internet Registration Authority www.cira.ca, is scheduled to take over the process. Up to now registration has been free with no annual fees, this is changing as per a notice recently posted on the cdnnet.ca Web site.

As a free public service, CDNnet has served Canada as the official registrar for all .ca domain names since 1988. Over the 12 years, the volume of applications has grown exponentially and it has become impossible to administer the registration services for free. To help provide you with better service and improved customer support, the following fee schedule will soon be implemented:

Online Credit Card Payment Table

Note: the fee will be non-refundable. All prices in Canadian Dollars.
For full details please visit the www.cdnnet.ca Web site. If you already own a .ca domain you will soon be required to start paying an annual fee, this is currently scheduled for a fall 2000 implementation.

NOTE: Since writing the article in 2000 many changes have come into effect. The main change for for .ca registration is the main registry is run by http://www.cira.ca  From the CIRA web site you can find a directory of registrars to sign up for your .ca domain name at very competitive prices.

Once you've signed up for a registration you will receive an e-mail with information you will need in the future, either to set up your web site space or to make changes to your record.

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