Registrars will provide services to applicants to register domain names in the .ca domain, will provide registration information update services for registrants, and will be entitled to bill registrants for these services.

2 - Who can become a registrar?
In order to be certified as a registrar, a person must meet the Certification and Re-certification Requirements, which are included in Procedures, policies and certification reguirements for becoming a registrar. The requirements include meeting the Canadian Presence Requirements for Registrars; paying fees; providing services as per the minimum service requirements; signing a Registrar Agreement; knowing CIRA's registration rules and the domain system in general; and having the technical capabilities to process requests.

3 - How do I become a CIRA certified registrar?
The process for becoming a CIRA certified registrar is outlined in detail in the document Procedures, policies and certification requirements for becoming a registrar, which can be found in the "Official Documents" section of this site.

4 - The Expression of Interest Form asks for a PGP Public Key. What is that?
PGP stands for Pretty Good Privacy and is an encryption mechanism. There are many sources for obtaining this code and some of the more common ones can be found at: www.pgpi.org/products/pgp/versions/freeware/ or www.pgp.com. Registrars should be well educated in these technologies before they submit their EOI. Registrars must be capable of understanding and using this type of technology as a requirement for becoming a registrar as per the Certification Requirements. If they do not, they risk not being certified and losing their Application Fee. Any good web site or book addressing security issues relating to e-mail encryption should be able to answer any detailed questions.

5 - When trying to fill out the Expression of Interest Form, the PGP Public Key is causing problems. What could be the problem?
In order to input your PGC Public Key in your Expression of Interest form you must ensure that you "export" your key into the form rather than copy and paste. If this does not solve your issue, please send a copy of your error message to: info@cira.ca.

6 - How much will it cost to become a registrar?
There is a one-time non-refundable $1,000 Application for Certification Fee, an annual Certification Fee or Re-certification Fee of $1,000, and a $1,000 Initial Deposit against which registration, renewal, transfer and other fees are deducted before the requested transactions can be completed. Applicable taxes are payable in addition. CIRA's Fee Schedule is available in the document Procedures, policies and certification requirements for becoming a registrar, which is available in the Official Documents section of this site.

7 - Will registrars need to set up their own systems?
Yes, registrars will be responsible for setting up their own systems to request domain name registrations on behalf of applicants. In fact, those who apply for certification as a registrar may be requested to describe these systems in the certification process.

8 - When will registrars start processing registrations?
Registrars will start processing registrations when they are both certified by CIRA and operationally ready to provide services. It is the registrar's responsibility to notify CIRA when it is ready to offer services.

9 - How many registrars will CIRA certify? Is there a limit?
There is no limit to the number of registrars CIRA will certify. CIRA cannot predict how many registrars will be certified. However, the requirements to become certified by CIRA are expected to generate a competitive environment.

10 - What is CIRA's role in promoting registrars?
At the registrar's request, on the application for certification, the registrars' name and its url will be listed at www.cira.ca, as per the Listing Policy in the documents of the registrars section of this site.

In order to present registrars equitably, the list will be automatically sorted in random order each time it is displayed. After it is displayed, users will be able to sort it alphabetically, by province or territory, or by language of service.

11 - Is there a cut-off date for becoming a CIRA certified registrar?
There is no cut-off date.