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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Registrars give SIDN 7.9 out of ten

Implementation of improvements needs attention

Smiling and sad faces drawn in felt-tip pen on a wooden cube.
  • Tuesday 25 October 2022

Last month, 109 registrars responded to our annual Registrar Satisfaction Survey (RSS). The respondents gave our services a mark of 7.9 out of 10. While that overall rating is very similar to last year's 8.0, the underlying figures show a new pattern. Different sections of the registrar community now differ in their view of our services more than in the past.

Briefer questionnaire gets a bigger response

We were very pleased with the number of registrars that responded this year. The upturn in the response level – from 78 in 2021 to 109 this year – follows changes made to the survey format. In line with feedback, the questionnaire was limited to 10 questions and could be completed in less than 3 minutes.

Strong points

Looking at the underlying numbers, it's clear that the registrars' rating of our performance in the various service fields has either stayed the same or improved in nearly all cases. Registrars are particularly positive about personal contact, both with our Support Desk and with other departments. Interaction at events such as the popular SIDN BBQ made a good impression as well. Our Domain Registration System's EPP interface gets strong approval numbers too, with most registrars ranking us above other registries.

Where we need to improve

The main thing that registrars want to see addressed is the speed with which we implement improvements. The user-friendliness of the sign-on procedure for our registration system was flagged up as a particular point of concern, especially by smaller registrars. Opinion on the Whois (the system for looking up details of registered domain names) was divided. Some respondents viewed the access limitations as problematic, while others felt that imposing the restrictions was simply a legal necessity.

Qualitative study

At the end of the questionnaire, respondents were asked whether they would be willing to take part in a qualitative follow-up study. The plan is to invite 2 groups of 6 registrars – including smaller and larger businesses – to focus group sessions before the end of the year. The sessions will also be attended by people from SIDN and the Registrars' Association. Their purpose will be to explore the focus points flagged up by the survey in more detail, with a view to informing the policies we pursue next year.