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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Our commitment to tackling abuse transparently

Sharing information about the work we do to tackle wrongdoing online

Clear blue/turquoise water

Like the internet itself, the role of an agent within the internet infrastructure is constantly evolving. The view that internet freedom is sacrosanct and intervention therefore beyond the pale has been in retreat for some time. Legislation and jurisprudence have made it clear that, in certain circumstances, an agent has a legally enforceable duty to step in. What's more, it's increasingly common for agents to intervene of their own volition to prevent their services being used for illegal purposes.

Intervention against illegal activities

SIDN's stance on intervention has similarly evolved. We maintain an increasingly close watch on how the .nl domain names we issue are used. However, we intervene only where domain names are being used for illegal purposes. For details of how we see our role, refer to my earlier blog.

Careful consideration

As I explained in that blog, it is important that SIDN does not intervene arbitrarily, but on the basis of balanced procedures designed to ensure careful consideration of all the interests at stake. We have such procedures in place and – crucially, we believe – they are published on our website for all to see.

Transparency Report

Moreover, we are firmly committed to the principle that details of all our interventions should be made public. In line with that principle, we publish a Transparency Report. The report states how often we have intervened in line with our published procedures. It also outlines a number of procedures that can be used to tackle illegal activities. The report is updated on a quarterly basis.

Procedures

The procedures currently available for use are:

Suggestions welcome

We hope that publication of the transparency report helps to reinforce community confidence that SIDN takes a carefully considered approach to countering illegality within the .nl domain. If, having read the report, you have a question or you would like to suggest that we publish additional information, please let me know by mailing maarten.simon@sidn.nl.

Article by:

Maarten Simon

Maarten Simon

Legal & Policy Advisor