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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Domain Name Surveillance Service now covers all TLDs

We are constantly refining our Domain Name Surveillance Service (DBS). Our latest innovation is extending the service to cover other TLDs besides .nl. In other words, as well as telling you whenever a lookalike .nl domain name is registered, DBS can now alert you to any registration under .com, .amsterdam, etc that includes your brand name. So you are never left in the dark about a registration that could pose a threat to your on-line reputation.

More about SIDN BrandGuard > Domain Name Surveillance Service pre-scan now available

What is the Domain Name Surveillance Service?

DBS is a monitoring tool that alerts you whenever someone registers a domain name that is very like your brand name or your own domain name. Companies, organisations, government bodies and anyone else with a strong brand or reputation can benefit from using DBS. It also has great potential for anyone who runs a web shop or portal handling personal data or other valuable information. The service helps you protect your brand and your on-line reputation.

How does it work?

DBS flags up suspect .nl registrations in real time. Once every twenty-four hours, DBS also downloads the zone file of every other TLD that publishes one. The zone file is a data file that lists all the domain names in that TLD. A 'domain name spinner' is then used to comb the TLDs that don't publish zone files (most country-code domains). Through this unique combination of scanning methods, DBS is able to monitor every TLD in the world.

More information?

With its extended functionality, DBS provides outstanding protection against malicious domain name registrations. Want to find out more? Pim Pastoors would be happy to discuss the options with you.

Article by:

Pim Pastoors

Pim Pastoors

Product Owner