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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Dutch government and SIDN renew covenant to safeguard the .nl domain

Reliability of the .nl domain is vital to the nation

SIDN and the Dutch government's economics ministry (EZK) have extended their covenant safeguarding the reliability and availability of the .nl domain and its ties to the Netherlands. Originally signed in 2008, the covenant will now run for another 7 years. At the end of each term, the two sides undertake an evaluation as a basis for extension.

100% availability

The main conclusion of the latest evaluation was that the continuity and stability of the .nl domain have not been endangered in the last 7 years. The availability of the domain's critical name server function was again 100 per cent during the review period. The name server infrastructure enables internet users to reach the websites linked to the domain names they type into their browsers, and ensures that their e-mails are delivered to the right mailboxes.

Michiel Boots, Director General for the Economy and Digitisation at the Dutch government's economics ministry , and Roelof Meijer, SIDN's CEO, sign the covenant to safeguard the .nl domain.

Figure 1: Michiel Boots, Director General for the Economy and Digitisation at the Dutch government's economics ministry, and Roelof Meijer, SIDN's CEO, sign the covenant to safeguard the .nl domain.

Reliability of the .nl domain is vital to the nation

"With the number of registered domain names now exceeding 6.2 million, the continuity and stability of the .nl domain are vital to Dutch society and the Dutch economy," said EZK's Director General for the Economy and Digitisation, Michiel Boots. Indeed, the last couple of years have emphasised just how vital reliable digital systems are. The aims of the covenant therefore remain unchanged: while respecting each other's autonomy, we want to work together to safeguard the .nl domain's permanent global accessibility and its availability to the Dutch public and business community, as well as to ensure that .nl remains rooted in the Netherlands."

Shared responsibility

"Of course, primary responsibility for the smooth running of the .nl domain lies with SIDN," said SIDN's CEO Roelof Meijer. "We therefore work around the clock to keep the domain functional, secure and stable. As a result, .nl is one of the biggest and most secure internet domains in the world. And, because we recognise just how vital the domain is to the nation, we find it very reassuring to know that, in an emergency, if .nl were ever at serious risk, we could count on the ministry's support."

Contact person:

Marnie van Duijnhoven, communication manager and spokesman

Marnie van Duijnhoven

Communication Manager / Spokesman