OSIR · The AI-Native Domain Registrar

Guides

How to Register a .dev Domain (Google's HTTPS-Only TLD)

2026-06-25 · OSIR Team

Summary: To register a .dev domain, search for the name you want, complete checkout, and point it at your site - .dev is open to anyone with no eligibility requirements. The one detail that sets .dev apart: it is HTTPS-only by default. The entire .dev top-level domain is on the browser HSTS preload list, so every .dev site must serve over HTTPS with a valid TLS certificate. This guide covers how to register a .dev domain, what the HTTPS requirement means in practice, and why it is a natural home for developers.

How to register a .dev domain (step by step)

  1. Search the name. Enter your desired domain on the .dev extension page to confirm it is available.
  2. Register and check out. There are no eligibility forms - .dev is open to everyone. The live checkout shows current pricing.
  3. Set up HTTPS. Because .dev is HTTPS-only (see below), make sure your host serves a valid TLS certificate - most platforms issue one free via Let's Encrypt.
  4. Configure DNS. Point the domain at your app; DNS, DNSSEC, and registrar lock are handled for you.
  5. Automate it (optional). Register, renew, and manage .dev names through the OSIR REST API and MCP tools - convenient when you are spinning up project domains from scripts or CI.

What is a .dev domain?

.dev is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) operated by Google Registry, launched for general availability in 2019. It was built for the software community - developers, tools, documentation, open-source projects, and engineering teams - and it has become a recognizable signal that a site is technical in nature.

Unlike a country-code domain, .dev has no national tie and no residency rules: it is open to anyone, anywhere.

The one rule that matters: .dev is HTTPS-only

This is the single most important thing to know about .dev. The entire .dev TLD is included in the HSTS preload list that ships with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. In plain terms:

  • Browsers will only connect to a .dev site over HTTPS - there is no plain-HTTP fallback.
  • Your .dev domain must serve a valid TLS certificate or visitors will see a security error, not your site.

This is a feature, not a hurdle. It guarantees every .dev site is encrypted by default. In practice it costs nothing: hosts like Netlify, Vercel, Cloudflare Pages, and GitHub Pages provision free certificates automatically, and Let's Encrypt covers everything else.

Define: HSTS preload is a list browsers ship with that forces HTTPS for listed domains before the first request is even made. Because .dev is on it at the TLD level, the rule applies to every .dev domain automatically.

Who can register a .dev domain?

Anyone. There are no eligibility requirements, no proof of being a developer, and no local presence needed. Individuals, companies, and open-source projects can all register .dev names freely.

For the current .dev price (including any applicable fees), see the .dev extension page and pricing page.

Why developers choose .dev

  • Instant context - a .dev address signals "this is technical" before anyone reads the page. Perfect for portfolios, tools, and docs.
  • Secure by default - the mandatory HTTPS means no mixed-content surprises and a small trust boundary you get for free.
  • Great for project and docs sites - yourtool.dev, docs.yourapp.dev, api.yourapp.dev all read naturally.
  • Availability - far more good one-word names remain open in .dev than in .com.
Use case Example
Developer portfolio yourname.dev
Open-source project yourproject.dev
Documentation site docs.yourtool.dev
Internal / team tools tools.yourteam.dev

.dev domain FAQ

How do I register a .dev domain?

Search the name on the .dev extension page and check out - there are no eligibility requirements. Just remember to serve your site over HTTPS, since .dev is HTTPS-only.

Do I need an SSL certificate for a .dev domain?

Yes. The .dev TLD is on the browser HSTS preload list, so every .dev site must serve a valid TLS certificate over HTTPS. Most hosting platforms provision one for free automatically.

Who can register a .dev domain?

Anyone. .dev is an open gTLD operated by Google Registry - no proof of being a developer, no residency, and no local contact required.

Can I manage .dev domains with an API or AI agent?

Yes. .dev supports the full OSIR REST API and MCP tool set for registering, renewing, and configuring domains programmatically - handy for provisioning project domains from CI or scripts.

Register your .dev domain

.dev is the cleanest way to tell the world a site is built by and for developers - secure by default and wide open on availability. Check your name on the .dev extension page and register it today.

Image generated with AI (Higgsfield).