.np is the country-code top-level domain for Nepal. It works differently from most domains people are used to: names are registered under category zones such as com.np rather than directly under .np, registration has been free of charge, and every application is reviewed by hand against supporting documents. This guide explains the structure, the process and what online tools can and cannot tell you about a .np name.
DomainDNSCheck is an independent information site and is not affiliated with the .np registry. Registry policy can change, and the registry is the authority on current rules. Always confirm details with it before relying on them.
Who runs .np
The .np registry is operated by Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd., and its website is register.com.np. The registry publishes its rules in a registry policy at register.com.np/registry-policy.
How .np names are structured
Unlike TLDs such as .com, or ccTLDs such as .uk that now allow direct registrations, .np names are registered at the third level, underneath a second-level zone that indicates the type of registrant. A company's name looks like example.com.np, not example.np.
The registry's published policy lists these second-level zones:
| Zone | Intended for |
|---|---|
| com.np | Commercial entities (registered companies) |
| org.np | Non-profit organizations |
| edu.np | Educational institutions |
| net.np | Network providers and networks |
| gov.np | Nepalese government bodies |
| name.np | Individuals, registered by personal name |
| coop.np | Cooperatives |
| mil.np | The Nepalese military |
Because every registration sits under one of these zones, the Public Suffix List treats each second-level .np name as a suffix. In practice, browsers and other software handle example.com.np and other.com.np as separate sites, just as they treat example.com and other.com as separate.
How registration works
The .np process is document-based rather than instant:
- Free of charge. Registration under .np has been offered without a fee.
- Manual review. Each application is checked by the registry against the documents provided.
- First come, first served, subject to the registry's terms and to the name being appropriate for the chosen zone.
- Not immediate. Approval can take at least 24 hours and sometimes longer.
Typical documents
Requirements depend on the zone and the applicant. Commonly requested documents include:
- A cover letter requesting the domain.
- For companies: the company registration certificate, often PAN/VAT registration as well, and a letter on company letterhead signed by an authorized person.
- For individuals: an identity document, such as a Nepali citizenship certificate.
Foreign companies need an official presence in Nepal, such as a joint venture, partnership, agent or licensee arrangement, and must provide proof of it.
This list is a general guide rather than a checklist. The registry's own instructions are the authority on exactly what to submit for each zone.
Looking up .np domains
Here the .np domain differs from many other TLDs in an important way.
- No RDAP service is currently listed for .np in IANA's RDAP bootstrap file, so standard RDAP clients have no official server to query.
- No documented public availability API is published by the registry.
As a result, no online tool, including DomainDNSCheck, can authoritatively confirm whether a .np name is available. Treat any tool that claims to do so with caution.
What DNS can tell you:
- If a name is delegated, it is registered. A .np name that has NS records in its parent zone, such as com.np, has been registered and delegated.
- If a name is not delegated, that proves nothing. A name may be registered but not yet delegated, awaiting approval, reserved, restricted to certain applicants or otherwise unavailable. Only the registry can give a definitive answer.
example.com.np. NS ns1.example.net.
example.com.np. NS ns2.example.org.
If you see records like these for a name, it is taken. If you see nothing, contact the registry to check.
Practical tips
- Pick the right zone. Your eligibility depends on it. A registered business typically fits com.np, an NGO org.np and an individual name.np.
- Prepare documents in advance. Having the right paperwork ready for your zone avoids back-and-forth during manual review.
- Keep records current. Make sure the registry has working contact details, so that any notices about your domain reach you.
- Use reliable DNS. At least two nameservers on different networks keep your domain resolving if one fails. See Understanding nameservers.
- Check the registry for changes. Rules for zones, documents and eligibility may be updated over time.
For how .np compares with other country-code domains, see What is a ccTLD?.
Check it yourself
- RDAP Lookup will report that .np has no RDAP service listed, and works normally for other TLDs you may be comparing.
- DNS Lookup shows whether a .np name is delegated and which nameservers it uses, which confirms that a name is registered.
- Domain Availability gives an indication based on DNS for .np names, with the caveat that a missing delegation does not prove a name is free.