Chose your color

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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

SIDN and BOIP team up to help new businesses

Start-ups get support with trading names, domain names and brand names

Entrepreneur on the phone behind a laptop
  • Thursday 23 November 2023

On 4 November, the Chamber of Commerce held its annual Start-ups Day. At the event, SIDN's Marketing Manager Michiel Henneke and Yvonne Noorlander, Legal Officer at the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP) delivered 2 joint sessions on choosing a good name. How do you come up with a trading name, brand name and domain name that can give your new business a kickstart? And how do those three kinds of name differ? Michiel: "Many entrepreneurs think of a name, then ask themselves, 'What now?'"

Michiel Henneke
Michiel Henneke, marketing manager at SIDN

Chamber of Commerce Start-ups Day

What makes a successful business name? SIDN partners Chamber of Commerce Start-ups Day

Michiel: "The best thing about the Start-ups Day was meeting so many people with great business ideas, who just had to think of a name to go with their concept. They were full of enthusiasm. Many of the entrepreneurs who had already decided on a name didn't know about the various places they could register it. Once you've settled on a name, what do you do with it? So it was really good that SIDN and BOIP could make joint presentations sharing our expertise on domain names and brand names, respectively, and setting out the choices that businesses have."

Yvonne: "Many new businesses are confused by the endless list of official bodies and other actors they have to deal with. The Chamber of Commerce Start-ups Day is an excellent opportunity for them to gather information. For BOIP, the main aims were to flag up the existence of brand names and the associated legal rights, and to explain how brand names relate to trading names and domain names."

Trading name, domain name, brand name

A trading name is the name under which a business presents itself to the outside world. The right to a trading name is acquired through use of that name, and is protected only in the region where you use the name. A domain name is a unique internet name used for websites and private mail, and is linked to an IP address. A .nl domain name is registered with SIDN through a hosting service provider.

A brand name is a name that you give to one or more products or services to distinguish them from competitors' products or services. In many cases, a trading name will also be used as a brand name when advertising products or services. You don't have any exclusive right to a brand name unless you register it. Once the name is registered, only you are allowed to use it, and you are able to take legal action against anyone who subsequently starts using a trading name, domain name or brand name the same as of confusingly similar to yours.

Brand name protection

BOIP is the official body for the registration of brands and designs in the Benelux. Yvonne: "A business can protect its name or logo by registering it with BOIP as a brand. They can also get information from us about the importance of intellectual property. Choosing a strong brand name and registering it promptly can prevent problems and yield substantial added value for a business. New businesses already have so many things to think about that it's a pleasure to come along to the Chamber of Commerce Start-ups Day each year and give entrepreneurs a helping hand."

Portrait photo of Yvonne Noorlander, legal officer at the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP)
Yvonne Noorlander, legal officer at BOIP

First a domain name, then a trading name and a brand name

Because a domain name is a unique internet address, each name can be issued to only one person or organisation. Michiel: "Nearly everyone starting out in business realises that they need a domain name. What they're often unaware of are the need for speed and the order in which they should do things. Many people will take care of all sorts of other things, such as naming their business, getting a logo designed and business cards printed, before they think about registering a domain name. Sadly, there's a good chance that, if you go about it that way, you'll find that your preferred name isn't available. Maybe someone's taken it, or maybe it's been hijacked. There are people around who trawl public registers, such as the Trading Name Register or the Trademark Register, for new registrations, and then immediately register the corresponding domain names, before the businesses themselves get round to it. And sometimes a business can only get hold of 'their' domain name by buying it from a hijacker for a hefty sum. We therefore advise registering a domain name before any other name." "Or doing both at the same time," adds Yvonne.