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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

New NIS2 Directive to regulate domain name registrations in the EU

Will the directive improve abuse prevention?

EU flags in front of the European Commission building
  • Monday 5 December 2022

A few weeks ago, the European Parliament approved the new Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2). As well as making waves in the cybersecurity sector, the directive has implications for domain name registrations in the European Union. So it's worth considering what the new rules will mean for registrants and brand owners looking to combat abuse.

Improved critical infrastructure security

The main thrust of NIS2 is that, by 2024, member states must legislate to improve the cybersecurity of companies and bodies that provide essential services in critical sectors, such as energy supply, logistics and financial services. NIS2 defines a critical sector much more broadly than the old NIS Directive – a change generally welcomed by security experts.

Domain names also covered

As the registry for .nl, SIDN is also covered by the new directive. NIS2 includes requirements regarding domain name registrations, particularly registration data. Article 28 reads: [..] Member States shall require TLD name registries and entities providing domain name registration services to collect and maintain accurate and complete domain name registration data [..]

The data to be collected and accurately maintained includes at least the registrant's name, e-mail address and phone number. After registration, the required information will have to be validated by a procedure very similar to that already followed by gTLDs. The procedure will include the registrant confirming their details by responding to an e-mail from the registrar. All registries for domains in the EU will additionally have to publish their data verification procedures on their websites.

Better abuse prevention?

Will stricter control of registrant data lead to improved abuse prevention? It's too soon to say. However, experience at the gTLD level suggests that the verification procedures are relatively easy to circumvent. And, even if the procedures prove effective, cybercriminals will still be able to get around the restrictions by making malicious registrations outside the EU.

Want to know more?

The full text of the directive is available on the website of the European Commission.