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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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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' satisfaction with SIDN stable

Praise for Support team, implementing improvements remains a point of attention

Close-up of a hand using a green felt-tip pen to check a green, satisfied smiley.
  • Wednesday 20 December 2023

Recently, 102 registrars responded to our annual Registrar Satisfaction Survey (RSS). After giving us a satisfaction score of 8.0 out of 10 in 2021 and 7.9 last year, our registrars gave an 8.1 this time around. Registrars were particularly positive about personal contact with our Support Department and other teams. The speed at which improvements are implemented was again flagged up as something we need to attend to, although satisfaction was a little up on that point too compared with last year.

Response rate holds steady

We've run the RSS annually in September since 2006. Down the years, roughly 10 per cent of registrars have typically completed the questionnaire. We managed to maintain that response rate this year, partly by keeping the survey short. The survey is completely anonymous, with response data processed for us by the MediaTest market research agency, which has run the RSS for us since 2009. Because the data we receive is anonymised, we aren't usually able to follow up specific matters, such as particular disputes, highlighted by individual respondents.

Portrait of Berend van Dalfzen
Berend van Dalfzen, chairman of the Registrars Association

Registrars' Association Chair Berend van Dalfzen: "The RSS is an important source of strategically and operationally valuable information, both for SIDN and for the Registrars' Association. So it's good to see that a substantial number of registrars took part again this year. The results confirm that a focus on core processes, speedy implementation of improvements and system modernisation are vital in the context of the services that SIDN provides to registrars."

Support and personal contact get high satisfaction scores

As in previous years, registrars were particularly positive about their personal contacts with SIDN, including events, account manager contact and contact with other SIDN personnel. Satisfaction with personal contact was actually a little higher, even than the high level recorded in 2022. Our Support Department received a mark of 8.5 out of 10 from all respondents, and 9.1 from EPP users. Willingness to engage with enquirers was a particularly strong point. Where other forms of personal contact were concerned, the end of pandemic-related restrictions seems to have played a part, due to the resumption of face-to-face interaction at physical events. The opportunity to meet in person drew positive feedback from respondents and an event satisfaction score of 8.4.

Implementation of improvements remains a key issue

Like last year, the main issue that respondents highlighted as needing attention was the implementation of improvements. Our performance in that area received a satisfaction score of 6.8. Many registrars said that our systems needed modernising, with support for real-time updates top of their wish list. Our sign-on systems were also a source of frustration for respondents again. We recognise registrars' concerns. Therefore, with an eye to the future, we have teamed up with our colleagues at CIRA, the registry for Canada's .ca domain. Together, we plan to develop a future-proof registration system based on CIRA's existing technology. Designed to address many of the registrar community's wishes, the new system is expected to replace the DRS some time after 2025.

Portrait Roelof Meijer, CEO SIDN
Roelof Meijer, SIDN's CEO

SIDN's CEO Roelof Meijer: "Our existing registration system is robust, but its management is increasingly labour-intensive. That has adverse implications for the capacity we can devote to innovation and development. Our unique partnership with CIRA opens the way for the accelerated introduction of a new, state-of-the-art registration system based on technology that's tried and tested in practice. As well as providing a platform for rapid development, collaboration with CIRA will allow us to minimise the cost of acquiring a new system."

Other service users give a satisfaction score of 8.5

In parallel to the RSS, we surveyed satisfaction amongst the users of our other registry and brand monitoring services. The overall satisfaction level in this user group was 8.5. Again, personal contact was rated one of the most positive service aspects.

Improvements to ICT services will be key in 2024

In the year ahead, our main focus will be improving our ICT services. Early next year, we plan to hold a webinar to present a roadmap for the relevant activities. During the webinar, we'll also explain when and how we intend to act on the feedback from the RSS. In the meantime, we'd like to thank all the registrars that took part in the survey for their valuable input. If you've got any questions about the matters covered in this update, please mail michiel.henneke@sidn.nl.