How do I use a free domain registration?

Overview

This article explains the free domain registration program at DreamHost and how to use the free credit for an eligible domain.

The free registration program

DreamHost provides a free registration credit under the following conditions:

• one (1) free domain registration credit
• per account
• for new accounts that sign up with any of the following plans:
• Shared Starter or Shared Unlimited (1-3 year annual plans)
• VPS (1-3 year annual plans)
• DreamPress (any annual plan)

What domains are eligible for this credit?

While DreamHost does offer many different domain extensions, the free credit is only available for use on the following domains:

• .art
• .bar
• .blog
• .click
• .cloud
• .com
• .forum
• .food
• .help
• .info
• .io
• .love
• .me
• .net
• .online
• .org
• .property
• .shop
• .site
• .store
• .tech
• .xyz

How to check if a free credit is available

If you've already added a registration

Visit the Manage Registrations page. If you have a free credit available, the price for the renewal (of any eligible domain above) displays as $0.00.

If you have NOT added a registration

Visit the Manage Registrations page and use the Search Domain Names box toward the top of the page (for any eligible domain above). To the right, you will see a message confirming a free credit is available.

Terms and exclusions

Time period

You must use the free domain registration credit within the first three months of signing up for your new account. If it is not used within this time period, it will expire and no longer be available to use in the future.

Closed accounts

You are responsible for the registration cost if you:

• Use the free registration credit to purchase or transfer a domain
• and then close the hosting plan before the annual period has been completed.

Usually, this amount is deducted from your refund unless a balance is due on the account before you cancel. View the Closing an account with a free domain registration article for further details.

More information

Visit the following pages to learn more about domain registration terms and sign up for a hosting plan:

• Domain Registration Terms
• Sign up for Shared Hosting

FAQs

Can I use the credit for other services?

No. This credit cannot be used toward any other services or products.

Am I eligible for more free credits if I have two qualifying hosting plans?

No. Adding additional hosting plans or services will not provide an extra free domain registration credit.

Who owns the free registration? DreamHost or me?

You are the full owner of the domain registration that you use the credit towards.

If I transfer the registration to another company, can I renew it there for free?

No. The free registration credit only applies to domains managed through your DreamHost panel.

Can I change the domain the free credit was applied to?

Yes. DreamHost support can assist you with applying the free credit toward a different domain if requested. An example would be if you renewed two domains simultaneously but wanted the credit used on one domain instead of the other.

Please note that the free credit change would not involve changing your payment amount. If the free credit change results in a positive balance on your account, the balance will be applied to future charges as they arise.

DreamHost understands that some customers are resellers and have a reason to use the credit for a specific domain listed on their invoices. Please Contact Support if you need further assistance.

See also