Should All Government Websites Have a .gov Domain Name?

We’ve been asked if government websites should have a .gov domain name. The answer is Yes, every government body — whether a small town, county, or federal agency — should use a .gov domain to ensure credibility, security, and public trust. Here’s why it matters:

The .gov domain is restricted — only verified government entities can obtain a .gov extension such as federal, state, county, city, tribal, or territorial in the U.S. At KMA, we help guide small cities and counties through obtaining a .gov extension. When your government website ends in .gov it gives the public confidence that it’s official and not a scam or impersonator.

.gov domains come with enhanced cybersecurity measures:

• Mandatory HTTPS enforcement
• DNS security requirements
• Federal oversight by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

These protections help prevent hacking, spoofing, and phishing attacks.

Using .gov helps citizens find legitimate services more easily. It also aligns with federal digital standards, which encourage clear, consistent branding and user trust.

To be eligible, the requester must represent a bona fide U.S.-based government organization or publicly controlled entity.
Types of eligible entities include:

• Local (city, town, county, township, village) governments
• State governments and their agencies
• Federal (executive, legislative, judicial) agencies
• Tribal governments (federally or state recognized)
• Special districts (e.g. water, fire, transportation)
• School districts that are not part of a local government

In addition:

• The person making the request must be a government employee or working on behalf of a government organization (in an administrative, technological, or executive role). Get.gov
• The request must include approval or authorization from a senior official in the organization (e.g. head of agency, CIO, etc.). Get.gov