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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

SIDN analyses .nl

  • Monday 24 July 2017

In our new video series SIDN analyses .nl, we take a closer look at popular .nl websites. What makes them successful? What sets them apart from the competition? For our first programme, we explore the world of on-line department store fonQ.nl. The clips include practical commerce and security tips from fonQ and SIDN, which you can put to use right away. To help you get the most from the videos, a few of the technical terms that crop up are explained below.

SIDN analyses fonQ – video

SIDN at YouTube

What makes a webshop successful? In 'SIDN analyses fonQ', we see how fonQ makes the strategic decisions that lead to success. Watch the full documentary now:

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get news of upcoming videos as soon as they're released.

Technical terms explained

A number of technical terms crop up in 'SIDN analyses'. Because they're important for internet entrepreneurs, we've provided explanations below, together with links to detailed information sources.

SIDN BrandGuard

SIDN BrandGuard is an service that makes it easy to protect your brand against phishing and reputational damage. You get advance warning whenever a domain name is registered that's like your brand name. So you can take action before an attack even starts. Read more about SIDN BrandGuard.

IPv6

Ever heard anyone say that the internet could run out of space? It's true. With the old version of the Internet Protocol (IPv4), only about four billion addresses can be created. And there aren't many left. Fortunately, there's a new version of the protocol: IPv6. With IPv6, an almost infinite number of unique internet addresses are possible. Read more about IPv6

DNSSEC

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a system for translating IP addresses into domain names. The translation work is done by name servers. Unfortunately, crooks can interfere with the process. They can put about incorrect translations, which result in people who want to visit your site ending up on fakes. Or get your e-mail diverted to another mailbox. DNSSEC helps to prevent that kind of thing. Read more about DNSSEC

HSTS

Most people know that HTTPS (with the 's' and the lock) is secure, because it involves encrypted connections. But when you type 'example.nl' into your browser, it'll try plain old HTTP before anything else. Security-minded firms tend to redirect visitors to their HTTPS sites. That means that you first need to connect an insecure site before a secure connection is set up. With HSTS, however, there's no insecure step. An HSTS header tells your browser that all your web pages use HTTPS, so that you get a secure connection from the start. As a user, it's best to always type 'https://' before a domain name (e.g. 'https://www.example.nl'). Then you'll go straight to the secure site.

Any questions?

Got a question about the videos? Want to know more about our services? Feel free to get in touch by calling +31 26 352 5555 or mailing support@sidn.nl.