Chose your color

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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Protecting yourself against internet abuse in the Netherlands and in gTLDs

Even if you've taken all the sensible precautions, there's always a danger that cybercriminals will use your company's brand name in a scam. The possibility of (spear-)phishing, fake webshops, CEO fraud and other abuses can't be totally excluded. So what should you do if the worst does happen? A swift response is vital. Here's our guide to your options in various scenarios. It's important to note that there are differences between .nl and the gTLDs, such as .com, .info, .net, .org.

1. Does a site have unlawful or criminal content?

Seen a website that's using another organisation's name without permission? Then tell the organisation whose name is being abused. If you think a site's content is illegal, call the police on 0900 8844 (from the Netherlands). If you want a site or page taken down, follow this procedure:

If the site or page has a .nl address:

The Notice-and-Take-Down Code is the Dutch internet industry's voluntary code of conduct for dealing with unlawful and criminal website content. It was developed so that inappropriate content and/or domain names can be removed quickly. The procedure begins with the content provider. That's the person who put up the video, or article, or whatever is at the centre of the problem. Approach them before doing anything else. If they don't take down the content, go to the next person or organisation in the list, and so on. Approach people in this order: 1. The person who put the content on the internet (the uploader or writer) 2. The website manager 3. The registrant 4. The registrar (hosting service provider) 5. The registry (SIDN for .nl)

The order has been chosen carefully, starting with the people that can do most for you. During step 4 and 5 the registrar and SIDN can't actually take down a website; we can only make it hard to reach by disabling the domain name.

If we receive a request to take down content, we follow our Notice-and-Take-Down Procedure. Please note: this approch can't be used to obtain a domain name. Want to know more about complaining about website content?

If the site or page has a gTLD address:

There is no global code of conduct like the Dutch code for dealing with unlawful and criminal content. The following approach is common, but the outcome isn't assured.

Report the abuse On the ICANN website, you can use the Whois to look up the abuse contact e-mail address and phone number for any gTLD domain. You can then report the abuse using the appropriate contact details. In most cases, your report will go to the registrar that manages the registration. When reporting an issue, it's important to clearly state who you are and who you're acting for. You should also be able to show that you're authorised to act for the organisation in question.

2. Has someone registered a domain name that uses your brand name or trading name?

Please note: always approach the holder first. This step is mandatory and prevents misunderstandings. For example, because the holder turns out to be a partner or employee. Visit our Whois to see information about a pre-existing domain name. You can see who the holder and registrar is. Do you want more data or do you want to know why we show the data and how we protect it? Take a look at SIDN and privacy.

If it's a .nl domain name:

WIPO dispute resolution system Dispute resolution is usually cheaper, easier and faster than going to court. An impartial legal expert decides the case, instead of a judge. The expert is appointed by WIPO: an independent agency active in fields such as intellectual property rights, brand names and domain names. Before a case goes to WIPO, we see whether a mediator can help. A mediator can get involved only if the registrant responds to your complaint. A mediator's role is to help you and the registrant look for an agreeable solution. Mediation is always voluntary and there are no additional costs. For details of how it works and when it starts, see the Dispute Resolution Regulations.

In the Dispute regulation we look at the following criteria: - the domain name measure infringes a right, in particular a trademark or trade name - the registrant has no legitimate interest in the domain name - the domain name is registered in bad faith and is used in bad faith.

Do you want to know more about these criteria? On domjur.nl you will find all relevant jurisprudence regarding .nl domain names.

Going to court You can always ask a court to order the registrant to stop using the disputed domain name, or to give it to you.

If it's a gTLD domain name:

URS procedure The URS is a fast, low-threshold system for settling intellectual property disputes involving gTLD domain names. It's an abbreviated procedure that doesn't enable you to get control of a disputed domain name. Read the URS procedure. Download the complaint form. UDRP procedure The UDRP is for fully settling intellectual property disputes involving gTLD domain names. If you win your case, you can get control of a disputed domain name. Read the UDRP procedure. Download the complaint form.

3. Seen a domain name that goes against public order or decency?

In the Benelux, domain names are almost never refused on the grounds of public order or decency. Elsewhere, it depends on the culture.

If it's a .nl domain name:

It's some years since a .nl domain name was last refused on public order or decency grounds. Nevertheless, if you think a name is unacceptable, you can report it to the Complaints and Appeals Board (C&AB).

If it's a gTLD domain name:

There is no international body that considers public order and decency complaints.

4. Incorrect Whois data

The information about the registrant recorded in our database of .nl domain names (the Whois) has to be correct. Abusive registrations are often made using false data. So, if a domain name's registrar (domain name vendor) can't show that the data is correct, we may ultimately cancel the registration.

If it's a .nl or .amsterdam domain name:

.nl If you come across a domain name with incorrect Whois data, mail details to support@sidn.nl or call +31 26 352 5555. We'll investigate and see whether anything needs to be done.

If we are convinced the domain name is used fraudulently and there is business use, this can lead to accelerated verification. If the holder does not prove that the registration data is correct within 5 days, we can disconnect or modify the nameservers. This makes the original website unreachable via the domain name. We then terminate the registration of the domain name.

Do you subscribe to SIDN BrandGuard? Then you can report this directly to .nl domain names from the tool.

.amsterdam Noticed that the Whois data for a .amsterdam domain name is wrong? Please contact dotAmsterdam.

If it's a gTLD domain name:

Use the Whois Inaccuracy Complaint Form on ICANN's website to report a problem with a gTLD domain name. ICANN will then ask the registrar (domain name vendor) to correct the details recorded for the registrant. If that doesn't happen, ICANN can order the registrar to rectify the problem. The inaccuracy complaint procedure has a very low threshold.

Brand abuse on the internet is a real nuisance. It creates problems for your customers and staff, and it tarnishes your company's image. So it's important to act quickly in order to minimise the damage. SIDN BrandGuard enables organisations to monitor domain registrations that resemble their own names. The service is backed up with a supplementary module for initiating immediate legal follow-up.