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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Dispute Resolution Regulations for .nl Domain Names updated

Geographical indications added to protected types of name

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  • Monday 2 September 2024

A new version of the Dispute Resolution Regulations for .nl Domain Names took effect on 1 September 2024. The regulations offer a quick and affordable alternative to using the law courts to settle disputes involving domain names and intellectual property rights. An explanation of how the revised regulations differ from the old ones is given below.

Geographical indications

The protected types of name referred to in Articles 2 and 3 of the regulations now include geographical indications that are explicitly protected under Dutch law. So, for example, the name ‘Gouda Holland’ is now covered, as a protected geographical indication for a particular type of cheese. Inclusion of such indications anticipates an upcoming change to the law in the Netherlands. Under the revised regulations, a claim based on a protected geographical indication will be assessed in the same way as a claim based on a brand name or one of the other protected types of name. That implies that the claimant must demonstrate not only that the disputed domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a geographical indication to which the claimant holds the rights, but also that the current registrant has no right to or legitimate interest in the domain name, and that the domain name has been registered or is being used in bad faith.

Clarification of Article 20, clause 1

Article 20.1 was always intended to ensure that the registrant of a disputed domain name could not be changed until the dispute had been resolved. A dispute may be considered resolved if the opposing parties agree a settlement, or if a court of law makes a ruling on the case, which is not liable to appeal or cassation. The wording of Article 20.1 has been revised to make its original intention clearer.

Revised definition

In the definitions, the name ‘Foundation for Internet Domain Registration in the Netherlands’ has been replaced by 'SIDN B.V.'. The reason being that, with effect from 1 January 2023, the Foundation has transferred various activities, including operation of the .nl domain, to its subsidiary SIDN B.V.. Hence, all registration contracts are now with SIDN B.V..

For more information about the Dispute Resolution System, see our webpage ‘Infringement of rights’.