How to use your own domain name on a WordPress.com blog

1. Log into your WordPress.com account using your user name and password.
2. Hover your cursor over the 'My Blogs' tab at the top, left-hand side of the page. You will see a listing of all your blogs, plus an option to manage a blog or add a new one.

3. Hover your cursor over the the 'Register a New Blog' option under 'My Blogs' and click on it.
4. Look for a dialog box titled 'Blog Address' near the top of the page. Write in the blog address you'd like to use. A prompt will let you know whether the name is available. If it is, you'll see a button asking 'Use it for your blog for $17 a year?' Click on this button to confirm yes. The domain name to the left of your blog name will change from .wordpress.com to yourblogaddress.com. You'll receive another prompt confirming that the domain is for a new blog.
5. Click on the down arrow to the right of the '.com' domain name of you wish to change your blog domain to .net or .org. You will receive the same prompt.
6. Click on the 'I Want a New Blog' button after you've chosen your desired blog name and domain.
7. Go to the second dialog box beneath 'Blog Address,' titled 'Blog Title.' Enter a title for your new blog (which is not the same thing as your blog address; the title will appear at the top of the browser). Select the blog language in the third dialog box. Finally, select privacy preferences in the fourth dialog box. The blog title, language and privacy settings can be changed later. The blog address cannot be changed.
8. Click the orange 'Create Blog' button at the bottom of the page. Fill in the required registration information and click on the 'Register Domain' bottom at the bottom of the page. Select your payment process for a credit card or PayPal. Input the required payment information and click on the 'Purchase and Register Domain' button.