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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Government resolves to improve domain name management

SIDN takes part in knowledge event about managing government internet domains

How does an organisation with thousands of websites and domain names run by hundreds of departments, units and outside bodies maintain an overview? That's the challenge facing the Dutch government. Arjen Lubach brought the issue to prominence on his satirical evening show early last year, but the domain name community has known about it for a while. The official register of national government websites (the RIO) lists 1762 sites, but it's generally recognised that the list is incomplete.

Knowledge event

Management of government domain names and websites could be better

On Thursday 4 April, there was a knowledge event organised by the Forum for Standardisation, the Ministry of General Affairs, the Public and Communications Service, the Ministry of the Interior, Logius and the National Chief Information Officer to discuss the formation of a Government Internet Domain Management Consultation Group (BID-R). At the event, the ground was prepared for the future introduction of a uniform domain name extension for all Dutch government entities (probably gov.nl). Ways of making genuine government websites distinguishable from fakes were also discussed. It was a well-attended gathering, with people such as former member of parliament Kees Verhoeven, Forum for Standardisation ChairLarissa Zegveld and interim National Chief Information Officer Aart van der Vlist participating in the discussions. I was there representing SIDN and joined a panel that discussed practical experiences. Other panel participants included Oscar Koeroo (Concern CISO at the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport) and Ilse van Overveld (Director of Communications at the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations).

Michiel Henneke takes part in a panel discussion about domain name portfolio management

From left to right: Michiel Henneke, Ilse van Overveld, Oscar Koeroo and Chris van 't Hof.

Who will play the central directorial role?

While illustrating that the national government is aware of the opportunities and risks that exist where domain names and websites are concerned, the event also flagged up a number of issues that will require attention. One being who should play the central directorial role. Various ministries and other bodies are involved in shaping policy, including the Ministries of the Interior, General Affairs and Justice and Security. What's more, the scale of the planned operation is ambitious. Changing the references to thousands of websites, e-mail addresses and applications without anything going wrong will be far from easy.

Cancelling domain names entails risk

Nevertheless, it's clear that the national government firmly believes that there are too many unknown government websites, making oversight difficult. The intention is therefore to dispense with all but those that are truly necessary. However, a cautious approach will be needed: cybercriminals often reregister cancelled domain names for scams that involve fraudulently posing as government bodies.

Is it a government site or not?

During one session, the Chair illustrated the problem by showing a number of screenshots and asking the room whether the sites in question were government sites or not. In some cases, even the government personnel who work with websites on a daily basis found it difficult to tell. The implication being that an ordinary member of the public would find it even harder.

Improving domain name portfolio management

From now on, BID-R will regularly be getting government bodies together for talks on this topic. The aim being to improve domain name portfolio management in the years ahead. Getting a more complimentary piece on the Lubach Show some day wasn't formally adopted as an objective, but it would be nice!

Article by:

Michiel Henneke

Michiel Henneke

Marketing Manager