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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Kickstart for business at the Chamber of Commerce Start-ups Day 2022

2,200 start-up businesses visit the event

  • Tuesday 15 November 2022

The Chamber of Commerce recently held its first Start-ups Day since the start of the COVID pandemic. Although virtual participation was enabled, 2,200 start-up businesses attended the event in person. The online programme was followed by a further 1,800 people. We were involved as an expert partner organisation, with various SIDN people and volunteers from the registrar community on hand to give information about secure domain name use and choosing the right domain name.

Getting a domain name is often the first step

Most people who start a business get a domain name well before they register with the Chamber of Commerce. Many of those attending the Start-ups Day hadn't yet done their business registration or made a final decision about a domain name. Together with the registrar XEL Media, we set up information points, where visitors could try out the .nl Suggestion Tool to help them come up with a good domain name. Other registrars created dedicated landing pages on their websites specially to coincide with the event. Word artist Sjaak Kroes provided visitors with framed versions of their chosen names.

Starting entrepreneurs receive advice on domain names during the Chamber of Commerce Starters Day 2022

As well as helping people to find good domain names, we answered visitors' domain name-related questions. Many of them asked about third-party infringement of their name rights and brand rights. Fortunately, the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property had the stand next to ours, so we were often able to provide combined replies. An issue for a lot of start-up businesses was who should be named as a new domain name's registrant. Many people still accept an online service provider being named as the registrant, rather than the business owner. Unfortunately, that means that, if the service provider folds, the business owner can find it hard to prove that the domain name is theirs.

An enjoyable, productive day

We, the .nl registrars who worked alongside us, and the Chamber of Commerce can all look back on a successful day. Together, we helped many start-ups and registered a total of 500 domain names, far more than a typical Saturday. And we're already looking forward to the possibility of a re-run in 2023.

Looking to start a business?

Missed out on the Start-ups Day? Trying to come up with a good domain name for your new business? Have a go with the .nl Suggestion Tool on our website, where you'll also find inspirational stories from people who have been in your shoes.