.Gov domain Application
and transition support
Guidance through the eligibility and application process, and technical assistance with transitioning to a verified .Gov domain for strengthened credibility as an official source of public information.
Why municipalities are moving to .gov
Many smaller municipalities and public service orgaizations have operated for years using a standard dot-com or dot-org domain. These Top Level Domains were easy to get and have worked to serve the public needs for many years now. So why is there a growing trend to move to a dot-gov domain now?
- trust
- public confidence
- State Requirements
- federal encouragement
- Additional Security
- $0 yearly registration fees
Who is eligible to register a .gov domain?
What we help with - .gov Application and Transition Support
- Guidance through eligibility and application requirements
- Assistance preparing documentation and application materials
- Consultation on domain naming and long-term considerations
- DNS setup and domain connection assistance
- Official .gov email planning and account setup guidance
- Transition coordination between hosting, email, and web providers
- Preparation for website migration or redevelopment
How the process works
We are here to help at every step along the way! Once you determine that you meet the eligibility requirements the next steps generally include:
Verify Identity via Login.gov: Create and verify your account (this ensures only authorized officials can manage the town’s digital identity).
Draft the Authorization Letter: We’ll provide a template for your Town Chair to sign on official letterhead—this is the “key” that unlocks your .gov domain.
Submit & Verify: We’ll guide you through the application. CISA typically takes about 10–15 business days to review and approve the request.
Select a Compliant Name: We’ll help you choose a name that meets federal naming standards (like
ourtownshipmn.gov) to ensure a first-time approval.Connect Our Team: Once approved, you simply add our technical team to your domain panel.
Total Transition: Sit back while we migrate your website, set up your new professional emails, and ensure your old .com address seamlessly redirects to the new home.
Common concerns:
(Click To Expand)
Are we required to use a .Gov?
In some cases, townships and cities that oversee absentee voting in their districts are now required to operate their website on a .Gov domain. Other organizations may not yet be required by state or local regulations to use .Gov, however, the federal government has been encouraging all government entities to transition. Many municipalities are taking advantage of available grants and financial assistance to convert now, rather than waiting for a future requirement to force their hand.
Will our email stop working?
In short, No. Your existing email addresses can continue to function as you transition. You can keep your old inbox active while you phase in the new one (e.g., name@yourtownmn.gov). How you phase in the new email accounts is under your control. We usually recommend setting up a “forward” or an auto-reply on the old account so you don’t miss anything while people get used to the new address. Sending a notice of email address change to key contacts is also extremely helpful to easing the transition.
Can we keep our current website?
Yes, you can keep your existing domain. Once your .Gov is approved, we can:
- Move a copy of your site to the new .Gov address.
- Automatically redirect anyone who types the old address to the new one.
- Put up a “We’ve Moved” notice if you prefer.
- Update the old website content to launch a newly designed site on the .Gov domain
In most cases, we recommend you keep renewing your old domain and redirecting traffic for at least 3 years. This gives residents plenty of time to update their bookmarks, and other agencies a chance to change their links to your site.
What if we already use a .org or .us domain?
You can continue to use that domain for your website and email, phasing in the new .Gov domain in a way that makes sense based on your situation and needs.
Who actually owns the .Gov domain?
You own the right to the domain name once it is registered, for as long as you continue to renew it. The federal government regulates and manages the .Gov extension through CISA (The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency). You (the government organization) are the authorized holder of your specific domain name. While it used to cost $400 a year, CISA waived that fee in 2021 to make the transition easier for local governments.
What is the cost of converting to a .Gov?
There is no fee from the federal government to apply for or keep a .Gov domain. Organizations with an in-house IT team can often do this themselves. Smaller offices usually need a bit of outside help with the application process, technical migration, and setup. This can be a one-time cost or part of an ongoing service plan. The final cost will depend on how much of the “heavy lifting” you want us to do.
Will the government host our .Gov website?
No. This is a common misconception. While the domain name itself is free, you still need a place for the website to live. This requires commercially available web hosting. You can usually stay with your current provider if you like them. However, a domain migration is a great time to review your hosting plan to make sure you’re getting good value and security. Hosting prices and technology change fast, and we can help you determine if your current setup is still the best fit.
Have a question or want to talk it through?
If you’re not sure what your municipality needs yet, that’s completely fine. We can take a look at your current setup and talk through your options.
No pressure. No obligation.
