The basic steps to close your GoDaddy account

To cancel your GoDaddy account, you log in, go to your account settings, and request the closure through their account management page. GoDaddy will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may offer you a discount to stay — you can decline and proceed. The account closes within a few business days, though any active services (like domain registrations or hosting) may have different timelines depending on what you own and when your billing period ends.

Before you start the cancellation process, check what you have with GoDaddy. If you own a domain name registered there, you need to decide whether to keep it or let it go. If you keep it, you'll transfer it to another registrar first. If you have email addresses tied to your GoDaddy domain, those will stop working once the account closes, so move any important messages or contacts elsewhere beforehand.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your GoDaddy account, find the account settings or "Close Account" option, and request cancellation through the website.
  • If you own a domain name registered with GoDaddy and want to keep it, transfer it to another registrar before closing the account.
  • Any email addresses created through your GoDaddy domain will stop working when the account closes, so save important messages first.
  • GoDaddy may offer you a discount to keep the account open — you can ignore this and proceed with cancellation.
  • Check your billing cycle and any active services, because some may continue charging until the current period ends.

Finding the account closure option in GoDaddy

Log into your GoDaddy account at godaddy.com. In the top right corner, click your account icon or profile menu. Look for a link labeled "Account Settings," "Manage Account," or "Preferences" — the exact wording changes, but it's always in this menu. Once you're in account settings, scroll down to find "Close Account," "Cancel Account," or "Delete Account." Click that option.

GoDaddy will show you a summary of what's attached to your account: any domains you own, active hosting plans, email accounts, or other services. Read through this list carefully. This is your final note to see what you're about to lose. If you see something you want to keep, stop here and transfer it first before you proceed with closure.

What happens to your domain name when you close the account

If you own a domain name registered through GoDaddy, closing your account does not automatically delete the domain. However, you lose access to manage it. If you want to keep the domain and use it elsewhere, you must transfer it to another registrar before you close the account.

To transfer a domain out of GoDaddy, log in, find the domain in your account, and look for a "Transfer Domain" or "Unlock Domain" option. GoDaddy will give you an authorization code (sometimes called an EPP code or transfer code). You'll need this code and your domain name to register it with a new provider like Namecheap, Google Domains, or another registrar. The transfer usually takes three to five business days. Only after the transfer is complete should you close your GoDaddy account.

If you don't want to keep the domain, you can let it expire. When you close your account, the domain will remain registered until the current billing period ends, then it will expire and become available for anyone to register.

Handling email addresses and data before closure

If you created email addresses through your GoDaddy domain (like yourname@yourdomain.com), those addresses will stop working when the account closes. Before you cancel, log into each email account and read or forward any messages you need to keep. You can set up automatic forwarding in most email clients so messages sent to your old GoDaddy email go to a new address.

Check whether you have any files, documents, or data stored in GoDaddy services like Website Builder or Cloud Storage. read anything you want to keep. GoDaddy will delete these when the account closes, and you won't be able to recover them afterward.

Canceling active services and checking your billing cycle

If you have active services like web hosting, SSL certificates, or email plans, check when your current billing period ends. GoDaddy typically charges through the end of the current period even if you request cancellation when ready. You won't get a refund for unused time, so closing your account mid-cycle means you lose that money.

Some services may need to be canceled separately before you close the account. For example, if you have a website hosting plan, you might need to delete the website first or cancel the hosting separately. GoDaddy's account closure page will tell you if any services need individual cancellation. Follow those steps before you finalize the account closure.

Confirming the cancellation and what comes next

After you click "Close Account" and review the summary of what will be deleted, GoDaddy will ask you to confirm. You may see a discount offer or a message asking why you're leaving — these are optional to respond to. Click the final confirmation button to close the account.

GoDaddy will send you a confirmation email to the address on file. The account closure usually takes effect within a few business days. You won't be able to log in after that point. If you closed the account by mistake or change your mind, contact GoDaddy support within a short window — they may be able to reopen it, though this depends on how much time has passed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I close my account mid-billing cycle?

GoDaddy does not refund unused time on active services. If you're mid-cycle, you'll lose that money. Check your billing date before you cancel, and consider waiting until the cycle ends if you're close to the renewal date.

What if I forget to transfer my domain before closing the account?

You can still transfer the domain after closing the account, but you'll need to contact GoDaddy support to unlock it and get the authorization code. This takes longer and is more complicated than transferring before closure, so transfer first if you can.

Will closing my GoDaddy account affect my website?

If your website is hosted with GoDaddy, closing the account will take the website offline. If you want to keep the website, move it to a different hosting provider before you close the account. If you only registered your domain with GoDaddy but host elsewhere, closing the account won't affect the website itself, only your ability to manage the domain.

How long does it take for the account to fully close?

The account usually closes within a few business days of your request. You'll receive a confirmation email when it's complete. Some services may take longer to fully deactivate, but you won't be able to log in once the closure is processed.

Can I reopen my account after closing it?

Contact GoDaddy support when ready if you close by mistake. They may reopen the account within a short window, but there's no may provide. The longer you wait, the less likely they can restore it. After a certain period, the account and associated data are permanently deleted.