Can I Change My Domain Name?
Summary
✔️ You can register a new domain and forward your old domain to it, preserving traffic and giving users time to transition
✔️ Grace deletions allow refunds within 5 days of registration for most domains (fees apply)
✔️ Keeping an old domain active as a redirect costs approximately $10-$11 per year for .com domains
✔️ Dynadot offers bulk management tools and an aftermarket platform for domains you no longer need
No, You Cannot Change a Registered Domain Name
Once a domain name is registered, it cannot be edited or modified. If you registered "mybusines.com" instead of "mybusiness.com," you cannot fix the typo by changing the existing domain. The domain name becomes a permanent identifier in the global Domain Name System (DNS) the moment registration completes.
This isn't our policy, it's how domain registration works across all registrars worldwide. The only way to get a different domain name is to register a new one.
Why Domain Names Are Unchangeable
Domain names function like social security numbers for websites. They're unique identifiers stored in DNS databases managed by domain registries (the organizations that control .COM, .NET, .ORG, and other extensions). ICANN coordinates the global DNS system where domain names serve as permanent identifiers for internet routing.
When you register a domain, the registry records it exactly as typed. That record propagates across DNS servers worldwide, typically within hours though some servers may take up to 48 hours to update. Allowing mid-stream edits would break the fundamental structure of how the internet routes traffic: search engines, email servers, and browsers all rely on domains being stable identifiers.
This is why registrars can transfer domain ownership between accounts or between companies, but they cannot alter the domain name itself.
What "Changing" Actually Means (And Doesn't)
When people search "can I change my domain name," they usually want one of three different things:
- Changing the domain name itself (like editing "mybusines.com" to "mybusiness.com"): this is impossible, as explained above.
- Transferring a domain between registrars (moving "mybusiness.com" from GoDaddy to Dynadot): this is possible and keeps the same domain name. You're changing where you manage the domain, not the domain itself.
- Forwarding or redirecting (making "oldbrand.com" automatically send visitors to "newbrand.com"): this is possible and is the most common solution when you need a different domain.
If you want a different domain name, you're looking at option three.
If You Just Registered: Dynadot's Grace Deletion Window
If you registered your domain within the last two, three days and immediately realized you made a mistake, Dynadot offers grace deletions for most domain extensions. You can request a grace deletion, receive account credit (minus a small deletion fee typically between $1-$3, which depends on the TLD), and register the correct domain instead.
This window is specifically convenient if you register a domain with typos and want to delete it. Not all extensions support grace deletions: some country-code and premium domains have different policies. Check Dynadot's grace deletion chart to confirm eligibility for your specific extension.
After the grace deletion window closes, you'll need to use one of the alternatives below.
Your Real Options When You Need a Different Domain
You have two practical paths forward:
- Register the new domain and forward your old domain to it. This keeps both domains active. Anyone who visits or bookmarks your old domain will automatically land on your new one. This costs you the annual renewal fee for both domains but preserves all existing traffic.
- Register the new domain and abandon the old one. Let the old domain expire at the end of its current term. This works if the old domain was never used publicly or has minimal traffic.
Most established businesses choose the first option. Most individual users who caught a typo early choose the second.
Register a New Domain and Forward the Old One
Domain forwarding is the standard solution for businesses changing their name, fixing a typo on a live site, or consolidating multiple brands. When someone types your old domain into their browser, they're automatically redirected to your new domain. Email links, bookmarks, and search engine results pointing to the old domain continue to work.
Dynadot's domain forwarding setup is straightforward through your account dashboard. You can just point the old domain to the new one and the redirect happens automatically. This preserves traffic flow while giving your audience time to update bookmarks and learn your new address.
When to Keep Your Old Domain Active
Keep your old domain active and forwarding if:
- You have existing website traffic or search engine rankings
- Other websites link to your old domain
- You've printed the old domain on business cards, marketing materials, or packaging
- Customers or partners have the old domain saved
Let your old domain expire if:
- You caught the typo before launching publicly
- The domain has never been used for email or a website
- You're certain no one has the old domain bookmarked or linked
For most businesses with any established online presence, keeping the old domain for at least 1-2 years gives customers adequate transition time.
Cost Reality: Keeping Both vs. Letting One Expire
The decision often comes down to cost. For a standard .COM domain at Dynadot, you're looking at $10.88 per year to keep your old domain active as a redirect (*note: price is subject to change). If your old domain has a different extension, check our pricing page for renewal costs.
For an established business with existing traffic or printed materials, this cost is typically worthwhile. You're buying insurance against losing customers who have your old domain saved. For a personal project or a typo you caught immediately, the annual cost might not justify keeping both.
Dynadot's bulk management tools let you see renewal dates and costs for all your domains in one dashboard, making it easier to decide which domains to keep and which to let expire.
What Dynadot Offers for Domain Transitions
If you're managing multiple domain names or running a portfolio, Dynadot's bulk management tools make transitions cleaner than manual configuration. You can set up forwarding, update DNS settings, or manage multiple domains using bulk actions rather than clicking through individual domain pages.
For domains you no longer need, Dynadot's aftermarket lets you list unwanted domains for sale or auction rather than letting them expire. If someone else values the domain you no longer want, you can recoup some of your initial investment.
Whether you're fixing a typo, rebranding, or consolidating multiple domains, the path forward is straightforward: register the domain you actually want, decide whether to forward or abandon the old one, and use Dynadot's tools to manage the transition efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit just one letter in my domain name after registration?
No. Domain names cannot be edited after registration, even for a single character. The DNS system treats each domain name as a unique, immutable identifier. If you need a different spelling, you must register the new domain name separately.
How long do I have to change my mind after registering a domain?
Most domain extensions at Dynadot offer a 92-hour grace deletion window where you can request a refund (minus a small fee). After couple days, the domain is yours for the full registration term and cannot be refunded, though you can choose not to renew it when it expires.
Will my website go down if I forward my old domain to a new one?
No. Domain forwarding preserves access to your content. Visitors who use your old domain will be automatically redirected to your new domain, and your website continues to function normally. The forwarding happens at the DNS level before users even reach your hosting.
What's the difference between transferring and changing a domain?
Transferring moves your domain from one registrar to another (like moving "example.com" from GoDaddy to Dynadot) while keeping the same domain name. Changing means getting a completely different domain name (like switching from "oldname.com" to "newname.com"), which requires registering a new domain: you cannot change the name itself.
If I let my old domain expire, can someone else register it?
Yes. Once your domain completes the expiration cycle (including grace period and redemption period), it returns to the public pool and anyone can register it. If you want to prevent others from using your old domain, keep it registered and set up forwarding to your new domain.