Frequently asked questions

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.

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.

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.

These steps you can take to ask for the token:

Send a reminder using SIDN's template

SIDN provides a reminder 'template' - an example of a reminder letter, which you can copy and send to your registrar. You can then be sure that your registrar understands what is needed and that the matter is urgent.

Ask your new registrar for help

• Your new registrar can contact your existing registrar on your behalf. You will need to show the new registrar that you really are the registrant of the domain name in question. That will mean providing a copy of an identity document (and, if you are acting for a business, a Trade Register extract).

• If your new registrar isn't able to get the token either, the new registrar can contact SIDN. We will then make sure that the token is made available.

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.

If you (the old registrant) want to re-register a cancelled domain name during the quarantine period, you need to contact an SIDN registrar. All registrars are familiar with the procedure for re-registering quarantined domain names.

If a quarantined domain name is re-registered by its old registrant, the information previously recorded in the Domain Name Register – including the old registrant’s name and contact details – will be reinstated.

If the status of the domain name is ‘In quarantine’ any registrar can re-register the domain name on behalf of the old registrant, even of the displayed date and time has passed. If the domain name has the status ‘Is free’, then it is no longer possible to re-register the domain name. However, you can request your registrar to register the domain name as if it was a new registration.

The registrant of a domain name is the 'owner' of the domain name. In case the name of your registrar, or webdeveloper is registered, we recommend you to change the registrant into your own (company)name. Only the registrant of a domain name is able to transfer a domain name, remain a domain name from quarantine, or to change the registrant name. Read more about changing your domain name's registrant.

Domain names are issued by SIDN on a first-come-first-served basis. We do not check domain name requests for excluding possible infringements to other party’s rights. You can contact the registrant of the .nl-domain name to come to a solution. Will you not succeed, than you can make use of the swift, low-threshold resolution options offered by SIDN. More information you will find at the page Infringement of rights.

First, you can ask the person or firm responsible for publishing the copied material to take down the content in which your words or images appear. That might be the person or firm that built, manages or owns the website in question, or it might be the registrant of the associated domain name.If the unauthorised publisher doesn’t do as you ask, you have the option of taking legal action. If you are thinking of doing that, you may want to ask a lawyer for assistance. You can also get help from the Legal Advice Service.

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.

Not all hosting providers are registrars. Registrars often work with resellers.

A correctly submitted application will be processed within 3 to 5 working days. Read more about becoming a registrar.

Yes, just e-mail a request to support@sidn.nl.