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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Cooperating in the Digital Age

Visit EuroDIG 2019 in The Hague on 19 and 20 June

  • Monday 27 May 2019

Rapid development, often in unforeseen directions, is a defining characteristic of the internet. Such dynamism drives innovation and opportunity, but also creates challenges. Whose role is it to manage the internet’s development? And ensure its security and sustainability? Such a task is surely too big for any single stakeholder? That’s why the European Dialogue on Internet Governance was created. EuroDIG is a platform dedicated to promoting multistakeholder debate on governance issues, with a view to helping build a better internet for everyone. This year, the twelfth EuroDIG conference takes place at the World Forum in The Hague on 19 and 20 June. Sandra Hoferichter, Secretary General of EuroDIG, explains what this unique event is all about.

Sandra Hoferichter, Secretary General of EuroDIG

Anyone with an interest in the internet’s development can get involved. People from NGOs, governments, and the technical and business communities will all be attending EuroDIG 2019, with the aim of bringing debate and decision-making closer together.

Not your average conference

EuroDIG is not your average conference. It’s not organised from the top down by a committee, and it has no political dimension. Anyone can get involved and contribute to the conference agenda. The rationale is that nothing should be forced on the participants: EuroDIG is all about getting different opinions and points of view on the table, and enabling the discussion of real-world issues. “We are not a decision-making body. We start and facilitate discussions,” explains Sandra. “Imagine if the aim was to come up with a resolution or declaration about legislation at the end of the event. Corporations and governments would send their PR people, and the discussion would take a completely different course. We want the stakeholders that are involved to exchange views and try to understand each other’s perspectives.” EuroDIG’s multistakeholder approach is endorsed by various influential European bodies, such as the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the Swiss Government, ISOC, ICANN, RIPE NCC, ETNO, EURALO and EBU.

Dialogue is essential

The developments currently reshaping the digital landscape raise questions in many different fields. It’s therefore impossible for any single stakeholder group to provide answers to all the issues. “I am happy to see that, more than ever, the programme focuses on the original core subject: technical issues in relation to policy questions concerning the governance of the internet,” says Sandra. In addition, this year’s programme addresses fields such as advanced literacy, security and crime, media and content, and the human rights implications of innovation and economic development. For the latest news about the programme, check out the EuroDIG wiki.

The Hague plays host

Each year’s EuroDIG conference takes place in a different city, and this year it’s The Hague. The Dutch economics ministry is hosting the event at the World Forum, in collaboration with the city council, ECP and SIDN. “It’s in the Dutch DNA to pursue dialogue in a multistakeholder setting,” observes Sandra. “There are no rigid hierarchies, and stakeholders are used to working together. At EuroDIG we share the same principles.”

SIDN supports EuroDIG

SIDN is one of EuroDIG’s supporters. As Legal & Policy Advisor Maarten Simon explains, “The subject of internet governance is directly relevant to our role as administrator of the .nl domain. How should management of the internet be organised? It’s a question that affects everyone, so everyone should have a say in the answer. So we support EuroDIG, because it’s a great opportunity for a wide variety of stakeholders to listen to each other and exchange ideas.”

Get involved!

The more different stakeholders are involved, the more productive the dialogue will be. If you work in IT, policy development or the hosting industry – in fact, if you’re involved or interested in the internet landscape in any way -- the EuroDIG conference is your chance to help shape the future. The event is free of charge: all you have to do is fill in the registration form.