Table of Contents
Overview
GoDaddy is one of the largest domain name registrars. If you no longer need your GoDaddy domain or account, you can close and delete it. However, this action is permanent and cannot be undone.
Here is an overview of the process:
- Delete all products and domains associated with your account
- Wait at least 24 hours
- Close your GoDaddy account permanently
Before You Delete
Before deleting your GoDaddy account, there are some important things you should know:
You Will Lose Access to Your Domains
Once your account is closed, you will lose access to any domains that were registered through GoDaddy. The domains will eventually expire and be deleted as well.
Transfers and Refunds Are Not Possible
You cannot transfer domains or request refunds after closing an account. Make sure to transfer domains and request eligible refunds beforehand.
Data Cannot Be Recovered
All account data, including domain registration info, is permanently deleted. There is no way to retrieve anything after account closure.
Alternatives to Closing Account
Instead of closing your account entirely, you can simply disable auto-renew on your domains and let them expire naturally. This avoids losing data.
Step 1: Delete All Products and Domains
Before closing your GoDaddy account, you must first delete all products and domains associated with it.
Access Your Account
Log into your GoDaddy account and go to the Renewals & Billing page. Here you will see all active subscriptions.
Select Items to Delete
Check the box next to each product or domain you want to remove. This includes domains, SSL certificates, web hosting accounts, etc.
Confirm Deletion
Double check your selections and then click “Cancel Product” or “Delete Domain” to confirm. Repeat this for every item.
Step 2: Wait at Least 24 Hours
After removing all products and domains, you must wait a minimum of 24 hours before closing your account. This allows time for the deletions to fully process.
During this period, do not delete any additional items. If you do, the 24 hour waiting period starts over.
Step 3: Close Your Account
Once 24 hours have passed since you deleted all account products/domains, you can permanently close your account.
Access Account Closure Page
Go to your GoDaddy account and click “Contact Preferences” under Account Settings. Then click “Edit” next to the Account section.
Read Closure Details
Carefully read the closure information. It explains the consequences, including permanent data loss and forfeited refund eligibility.
Check Confirmation Box
Check the box next to “I understand this action cannot be undone” to confirm you understand account closure is irreversible.
Click Close Account Button
Review your choice one last time. If you are 100% set on closure, click the “Close Account” button to delete your account.
Alternatives to Closing Your Account
If you don’t want to completely close your account, here are two alternatives:
Disable Auto-Renew
Instead of deleting domains, simply disable auto-renew in your account. Your domains will expire at the end of their term and can be deleted later.
Transfer Domains
Transfer your domains to another registrar like Namecheap. This allows you to continue using your domains while closing only your GoDaddy account.
What Happens After Closure?
Once finished, your GoDaddy account is permanently deleted along with associated account data. Any remaining domain names will eventually expire and be removed as well.
At this point, the only way to use GoDaddy services again is to open a brand new account. However, you can never recover old account details like order history.
Recap
Closing a GoDaddy account involves three key steps:
- Delete all products and domains
- Wait 24 hours
- Close account permanently
Be certain before proceeding, as account closure cannot be reversed!
Hopefully this gives you a better understanding of how to delete your GoDaddy domain and close your account for good. Let me know if you have any other questions!
