I created a Google Account and now want to hand it off to someone else. For security reasons, I want to completely close the account and have the other person start it up on their own.

Once I close it, how soon can they register for it?

Thanks!

1. Never log in again.
2. Have them come up with their own name.
3. ???
4. Profit!

From what I've seen (in any service, not just Google), being able to register an account that had previously been used/closed, is rare.

Yeah, you can't close an account and have someone else open it up.

Really? That surprises me.

It is a business thing, I'm sort of handing off my role as admin to someone else. The Google Account/E-mail Address sort of comes with the job.

I want to delete it entirely so that I can ensure that my name and information isn't connected to it past when I am.

Your work's doing it wrong then. You should be using http://www.google.com/enterprise/apps/business/ (free for 10 accounts if you provide your own domain, free for education institutions)

Can you use the https://www.google.com/dashboardto change the name associated w/ the account? I think there is an option to delete web history too.

Is this because you can't close accounts, or because Google will leave it permanently "locked" so the name can't be taken again?

You can delete an account, but I'm pretty sure it gets "locked" afterwards.

Gmail is Google's personal offering, it's not meant to be used in a business scenario (Google Apps is). The only way to gain access to an account that's not yours/close an account yourself is to prove you are the nearest kin to a deceased person, and it's a big PITA from what I hear.

It's more of a side thing of mine. I'm not good with technological stuff and I obviously dropped the ball here.


Well, I would have more peace of mind if I got rid of it entirely and had the next person start it back up. And Google doesn't believe in frequent name changes, you can only have 3 names over 2 years, so I thought if the account came down and then went back up it'd be good for another 3 changes, if necessary.


I'm wondering this. When you close the account there is a timeframe in which you can chagne your mind and get it back. But I was hoping it would be instantly released and available to someone else.



Anyway, thanks guys.

There's too many logistical issues with it that could get Google in hot water if emails from an old account ended in someone else's possession in a new recreated account that are of private information (bank information, for example)