FAQ: Registrar's Role
What is a Registrar?
A CIRA Registrar is a individual or entity that meets CIRA's requirements for Canadian Presence and is certified by CIRA to register, transfer, renew or modify .CA domain names in the Registry on behalf of Registrants and potential Registrants. Registrars are entitled to bill for these services.
Registrars provide the registration information to CIRA. Once a domain has been approved and registered by CIRA, CIRA adds this information to what is called a "zone file," which allows computers to route Internet traffic to and from domains around the world.
As of 2010, CIRA has over 140 Certified Registrars.
What is a Registrant?
A Registrant is a person who has registered a .CA domain name. .CA registration policy requires that .CA Registrants meet Canadian presence requirements.
What is a Registrar's role?
A Registrar acts as the interface between Registrants and potential Registrants on the one hand and CIRA on the other. Registrars apply to CIRA on behalf of potential Registrants that wish to register .CA domain names. They also provide registration renewal, transfer and information update services for Registrants.
How can I find a Registrar?
As a new or current .CA domain name Registrant, you have access to a full list of Certified Registrars' names and Web addresses on this site.
What is the relationship between Registrars and CIRA?
The relationship between Registrars and CIRA is that of independent contractors as defined in the standard Registrar Agreement that CIRA and each Registrar sign.
Whose responsibility is it to manage the relationship with Registrants?
Registrars are responsible for providing customer service, billing and technical support, and other necessary services to Registrants. They must advise Registrants of the status of such services from time to time, in order to enable Registrants to register domain names and to renew, maintain, modify or transfer domain name registrations in the .CA Registry.
How can I transfer a registration from one Registrar to another?
To transfer a registration, you must select a new Certified Registrar. The new Registrar will initiate your transfer request with CIRA.
What is “WHOIS”?
“WHOIS” is a generic term for an online directory service that allows people to look up information about Internet domain names.
CIRA maintains a WHOIS look-up directory. You can use WHOIS to find out whether a .ca domain name is available and to see the Administrative Contact and technical information provided by organizations that have registered a .CA domain name. Information for individual Registrants does not appear in the .CA WHOIS. In addition, the information for non-individual Registrants (such as organizations) may not appear in special circumstances.
How can I modify my registration information as it appears in WHOIS?
Any changes to your registration information as it appears in WHOIS should be made through your Registrar.
