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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

The organization of the Internet

Domain names (DNS)

Domain names (DNS)

Background

A domain name is a unique internet name, which is used to identify a mailbox or website, for example. The characters at the end of a domain name depend on the top-level domain (TLD) that it belongs to. There are two kinds of TLD: generic TLDs (such as .com and .org) and country-code TLDs (such as .nl and .de). Both kinds make 'their' domain names reachable on the internet via the Domain Name System (DNS). All .nl domain names are registered through registrars – service providers who act as intermediaries for the .nl registry (SIDN).

Policy

ICANN
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is responsible for policy on administration of the DNS root zone and the generic top-level domains. The registries for the country-code domains decide their own policy to a large extent, albeit with ICANN coordination.

Oversight

ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) assigns top-level domains and develops policy for the generic domains such as .com and .org. The registries for the country-code domains – such as .nl (the Netherlands) and .be (Belgium) – are responsible for their own policy to a large extent.

Operation

IANA, (the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) is responsible for global operation of the DNS root zone and for administration and allocation activities for internet protocol parameters and IP addresses, so that computers can reliably communicate with each other via the internet.

A domain name corresponds to an IP address.
How hoes that work?

test

test

Background

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique numeric address. Every internet-connected computer or server has its own IP address. Its unique IP address makes each internet-connected computer reachable and enables it to communicate with others. An IP address may belong to the original series, known as IPv4 addresses, or to a new and potentially much larger series, the IPv6 addresses.

Policy

RIRs
A Regional Internet Registry is responsible for defining IP address policy and issuing IP addresses in a particular region. RIPE NCC is the body for Europe and the Middle East, while APNIC is responsible for Asia and Australia, AfriNIC for Africa, LACNIC for Latin America and ARIN for North America.

Oversight

The Number Resource Organization is the supervisory body to which all the RIRs belong.

Operation

IANA, (the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) is responsible for the global allocation of internet addresses and autonomous system numbers (to RIRs).

An IP address must conform to a protocol.
How hoes that work?

Protocols

Protocols

Background

Protocols are standards for the internet. Standardisation is important, because it means that devices made by different manufacturers can communicate reliably with each other.

Policy

IETF
The Internet Engineering Task Force is a large, open international community concerned with the development of policies for the ‘internet architecture’ and the smooth running of the internet. In principle, anyone with an interest in such matters, such as network designers, network operators, service providers and researchers can participate in the IETF.

Oversight

IAB
The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) is the body that supervises the technical development of the internet by the Internet Society (ISOC). ISOC is the organisation above the IETF, which manages the IETF’s intellectual property rights.

Operation

IANA
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority is responsible for global designation and administration of technical protocol parameters. Protocol parameters define the various specific matters addressed by a protocol.