.no domain registration for Canadian companies

A corporation incorporated in Canada, whether federally or provincially, cannot hold a .no domain in its own name. Norid, the registry for Norway’s country code domain, requires the holder to be registered in Norway.

This guide describes the requirement, how it applies to Canadian businesses, and the routes through which a Canadian business may obtain a .no domain.

Eligibility

Only organizations registered in Norway, and individuals with a Norwegian national identity number, may hold a .no domain. A Canadian corporation does not qualify, and the registry grants no exemptions.

Canadian incorporation and Norid

A Canadian business may be incorporated federally under the Canada Business Corporations Act through Corporations Canada, or provincially under legislation such as Ontario’s or British Columbia’s Business Corporations Act. It will also hold a nine-digit Business Number issued by the Canada Revenue Agency and, in Quebec, a Quebec enterprise number (NEQ).

None of these identifiers is accepted by Norid. Federal incorporation carries no advantage over provincial incorporation for this purpose, and extra-provincial registration in additional provinces has no effect. Sole proprietorships and partnerships are subject to the same restriction.

Comparison with .ca

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) limits .ca to registrants who meet its Canadian Presence Requirements, a defined list of categories that includes Canadian citizens, permanent residents and corporations incorporated in Canada. A company outside those categories cannot register a .ca domain.

Norid’s requirement for .no operates on the same principle, but is narrower. It recognises only organizations registered in Norway and individuals with a Norwegian national identity number.

Routes to a .no domain

A Canadian business has three routes to a .no domain. Their cost and duration are compared below.

The NUF and AS amounts are fees published by the Brønnøysund Register Centre, and exclude professional fees and the cost of a Norwegian address.

Norwegian branch (NUF)

A Canadian corporation may register a branch in Norway as a Norwegian-registered foreign business (NUF). The application must be supported by evidence of the corporation’s status, such as a certificate of compliance issued by Corporations Canada or a certificate of status issued by the province of incorporation, and requires a business address in Norway. The registered branch receives an organization number and may hold .no domains.

A branch is suited to a corporation that will carry on business in Norway. The choice between a branch and a limited company is discussed in NUF or AS.

Norwegian limited company (AS)

An AS requires share capital of at least NOK 30,000 (about USD 3,200) and is subject to annual accounting obligations. It is not a proportionate means of obtaining a domain name alone.

Trustee

A Norwegian entity holds the domain in the registry on behalf of the Canadian business, under a written agreement that reserves control of the domain to that business. Norway Domain provides this service under a published trustee agreement, which includes the arrangements for transfer should Norway Domain cease operating.

Procedure and timing

1. Check the name with the search on the front page. The result comes directly from Norid.
2. Add the domain at the DNS provider that will host it. Norid confirms that the nameservers respond before completing a registration.
3. Submit the order with the nameserver details.
4. Norway Domain registers the domain, usually within twelve hours on Norwegian business days.
5. The Canadian business manages DNS, hosting and email from that point.

For most of the year, Norway is six hours ahead of Toronto and Montreal, nine hours ahead of Vancouver and four and a half hours ahead of St. John’s. Orders are processed during Norwegian business hours.

A business that prefers to keep the registrar account in its own hands may register through a Norid-accredited registrar using Norway Domain’s holder details. The price in that case is the same, USD 89 a year, and the registrar’s fee is paid separately.

Cost and currency

The trustee service costs USD 89 a year, with registration included and no setup fee. All prices on this site are stated in US dollars, not Canadian dollars. A Canadian card is charged in USD, and the issuer’s exchange rate and foreign transaction fee apply.

Where a registration fee has already been paid to another provider for a .no domain that could not be activated, the order is placed in the ordinary way with the option to register the domain itself selected. The holder details are then sent by email.

Public registry record

When Norway Domain holds a domain as trustee, the public .no WHOIS record lists Norway Domain as holder. The name and contact details of the Canadian business do not appear. The content of the record is described in what shows in .no WHOIS.

Related guides

• Can a foreign company register a .no domain?
• .no registrars: which ones sell .no domains
• How to choose a .no domain trustee
• Acheter un domaine .no (in French)