Buy a domain name in Microsoft 365

This article explains how to buy a new domain name for your Microsoft 365 organization. It covers where to buy a domain in the Microsoft 365 admin center, including which top-level domains are available.

Note

If your organization uses Microsoft 365 operated by 21Vianet in China, see How to buy a domain for Microsoft 365 operated by 21Vianet.

Before you start

To add, modify, or remove domains, you must be a Domain Name Administrator of a business or enterprise plan because these changes affect the whole tenant. Administrators without the Domain Name Administrator role or regular users can't make these changes.

Buy a domain name in the Microsoft 365 admin center

  1. Sign in to the Microsoft 365 admin center.

  2. From the left navigation bar, select … Show all, and then select Settings to expand it.

  3. Under Settings, select Domains.

  4. In the Domains page, select Buy domain.

  5. Step through the Domains > Buy domain wizard to complete the purchase of your domain.

You can choose from the following top-level domains for your domain.

  • .biz
  • .cloud
  • .com
  • .info
  • .me
  • .mobi
  • .net
  • .org
  • .tv
  • .co.uk
  • .org.uk

Domain privacy

Microsoft offers a free Domain Privacy Subscription when you purchase a domain. This subscription keeps your contact information private when you register your domain with ICANN. For more information, see ICANN's website.

Buy a domain from another domain registrar

If you want to buy a domain from a domain registrar, Microsoft recommends using a registrar that supports automatic setup (Domain Connect):

Transfer your domain to a different domain registrar

If a provider doesn't support all the necessary DNS records, you can transfer your domain to a different registrar. When you transfer your domain, you change who you send payments to in order to renew and keep your domain name.

Request the transfer at the registrar that you want to move your domain to. Look on their website for an option such as Transfer DNS. After they make the changes, it can take a few days to update across the Internet.

How to buy a domain for Microsoft 365 operated by 21Vianet

If you don't already have your own domain, you can easily buy one online at a domain name registrar, domain reseller, or even at your current Internet provider. When you sign up for Microsoft 365 operated by 21Vianet, you get a domain name, such as contoso.partner.onmschina.cn. But you might want to use a custom domain name, like fourthcoffee.com.

To set up a domain in Microsoft 365, you must own a domain and change some of the DNS records for your domain.

Caution

Some domain registrars or DNS hosting providers don't allow creating all the DNS records required by Microsoft 365. The following list of hosting providers supports all the needed records. If you're thinking of using a different hosting provider, Service limitations when your hosting provider doesn't support SRV, CNAME, TXT, or redirection.

After you register your domain (at a domain registrar), sign in to Microsoft 365 as an admin. Then, set up your domain so you can use it with your email address and other services.

Domain registrars that support all DNS records required for Microsoft 365

Support

If you don't find what you're looking for, check the Domains FAQ.

Tip

Some configuration tasks might be complex to perform. For technical support, follow these steps:

  1. Sign in to the Microsoft 365 admin center.
  2. At the bottom right, select Help & Support.
  3. In the Support Assistant pane that opens, enter your question.
  4. Review the results. If you still have questions, select Contact support.

To learn about your options for contacting support, see Get support for Microsoft 365 for business.

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