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Frequently visited

Frequently asked questions

  • I am looking for a domain name registrant. Where can I look it up?

    The Whois is an easy-to-use tool for checking the availability of a .nl domain name. If the domain name is already taken, you can see who has registered it.

    On the page looking up a domain name you will find more information about what a domain name is, how the Whois works and how the privacy of personal data is protected. Alternatively, you can go straight to look for a domain name via the Whois.

  • I would like to transfer my domain name to another registrar. What is the procedure?

    To get your domain name transferred, you need the token (unique ID number) for your domain name. Your existing registrar has the token and is obliged to give it to you within five days, if you ask for it. The procedure for changing your registrar is described on the page transferring your domain name.

  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date. How can I get them updated?

    To update the contact details associated with your domain name, you need to contact your registrar. Read more about updating contact details.

  • Why is my domain name in quarantine?

    When a domain name is cancelled, we aren't told the reason, so we can't tell you. You'll need to ask your registrar. The advantage of quarantine is that, if a name's cancelled by mistake, you can always get it back.

    One common reason is that the contract between you and your registrar says you've got to renew the registration every year. If you haven't set up automatic renewal and you don't renew manually, the registration will expire.

  • Ik heb een klacht over mijn provider/registrar. Kan ik daarvoor bij SIDN terecht?

    Wanneer je een klacht hebt over of een geschil met je registrar dan zijn er verschillende mogelijkheden om tot een oplossing te komen. Hierover lees je meer op pagina klacht over registrar. SIDN heeft geen formele klachtenprocedure voor het behandelen van een klacht over jouw registrar.

  • What conditions do I have to meet as a registrar?

    Would you like to be able to register domain names for customers or for your own organisation by dealing directly with SIDN? If so, you can become a .nl registrar. Read more about the conditions and how to apply for registrar status on the page becoming a registrar.

More frequently asked questions

Our impact on economic growth

Examples of our impact on economic growth

We ensure that .nl domain names can be reached by internet users everywhere, and that they are quick and easy to register, competitively priced, reliable and stable. With 1.4 million business domain names, .nl is very important for The Netherlands Inc. Our research work contributes to innovation and strengthens the international position of the nation. And the SIDN Fund gives a helping hand to community start-ups and makes it easier for innovators to bring new ideas on line.

A helping hand for start-ups

Animatie kickstart voor jonge ondernemers

Registering a domain name is usually the first thing that people do when setting up a new business. It's also the first thing established firms do when developing a new activity. Research we did with GfK showed that 80 per cent of internet users prefer to buy from .nl websites. For any new business that wants to sell online in the Netherlands, .nl is therefore the default option. Start-up businesses consequently make a vital contribution to growing the .nl domain. And, in return, we aim to support them wherever we can. We provide inspiration in the form of stories about new ventures with .nl addresses, we operate a suggestion tool to help start-ups choose the best domain names for their businesses, and we give advice on making websites secure and easy to find. We're also a committed partner to the Start-ups Days organised by the Chamber of Commerce, where we help budding entrepreneurs get their online ventures up and running. Read more

New forms of enterprise

Animatie SIDN fonds

We established SIDN Fund in 2014. Since then, the Fund has made grants to more than 400 innovative internet projects that can make a real difference. Projects with verve, disruptive potential and social value, which don't have obvious alternative sources of funding. In fields such as education, care, sustainability and security. Or introducing new forms of enterprise, new business models and new ways of working that benefit the whole community. Each year, the Fund makes a call for major project proposals, attracting widespread interest. And applications for smaller grants can be made all year round.