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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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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 and RA agree a new form of cooperation

Effective coordination the focal point of new agreement

Signing a contract
  • Friday 22 January 2021

Registrars' Association Chair Martijn Kamphuis and SIDN CEO Roelof Meijer recently signed a revised and updated cooperation agreement. The new agreement came into effect on 1 January 2021 and runs for a year.

For several years, SIDN and the Registrars' Association (RA) have been working closely together to build a successful and secure .nl domain. Collaboration between SIDN and the RA's Board and committees has led to extension of the Registrar Scorecard, introduction of the SIDN Academy to provide online and offline training for registrars, creation of projects such as the Hosting Infrascan, the Privacy Portal and the Legal Help Desk, promotion of internet service use in the startup sector with campaigns such as 'meerklikmet.nl', and rollout of various new technologies and approaches.

Effective coordination the focal point of new agreement

Over the last few months, SIDN and the RA have been evaluating their partnership. Notwithstanding differences on certain points, both take the view that collaboration between the two organisations has been highly advantageous in the context of various .nl-related topics. It has therefore been decided that cooperation should continue, albeit in a revised form. That desire is reflected in a new agreement that seeks to ensure continued collaboration and effective coordination between SIDN and the .nl registrars in connection with SIDN's registry activities, while respecting each party's independence.

RA to advise on issuing and management of .nl domain names

Under the cooperation agreement, the RA can give solicited and unsolicited advice with a view to realising optimal performance of the system for issuing and managing .nl domain names. In order to assure the quality and continuity of the RA's advice, SIDN will provide the RA with financial support. The money will be used to compensate RA Board and committee members for their time input, and to enable the RA to effectively represent the views of its members, the registrars.

Working together on a secure, stable and future-proof .nl domain

"The last year has emphasised the importance of the digital infrastructure, including the .nl domain, for the Dutch economy and Dutch society," said SIDN CEO Roelof Meijer. "Good cooperation and years of investment in .nl have resulted in a robust and successful domain that was comfortably able to cope with all the recent turbulence. With six million-plus registered domain names, .nl also remains one of the biggest country-code domains in the world. SIDN and the .nl registrars can justifiably take pride in what has been achieved. Although we haven't seen eye-to-eye on everything recently, I'm hopeful that the new agreement provides a sound basis for continuing to work together on a secure, stable and future-proof .nl domain."

Sharper focus on the quality of .nl

"I completely agree with Roelof on the importance of a robust, trustworthy and accessible .nl domain for everyone in the chain," said RA Chair Martijn Kamphuis. "Any business that wasn't already online has had to embrace the internet since the pandemic hit, and the first step towards getting online is registering a .nl domain name. It's therefore vital that the RA continues to represent all .nl registrars and convey their views to SIDN. Our relationship did run into some difficulties last year, but I'm pleased that both sides recognise that it would be a mistake to let those difficulties result in loss of the many benefits that cooperation has for our members. The revised cooperation agreement gives the RA more independence and autonomy. It also sharpens the focus of our collaboration on the quality of .nl, because that's where we see the greatest potential for advancing the interests of our members. In short, I regard the new agreement as a big step forwards."

What is the Registrars' Association?

SIDN's constitution states that registrars are entitled to give SIDN solicited and unsolicited advice through a representative body. The RA was set up in 2011 to fulfil that role by representing the broad interests of .nl registrars. For more information, visit www.verenigingvanregistrars.nl.

Roelof Meijer, Arjan Middelkoop, Pim Effting and Martijn Kamphuis sign cooperation agreement between SIDN and the VvR

From left to right: Roelof Meijer (CEO of SIDN). Arjan Middelkoop (Commercial Director SIDN), Pim Effting (Treasurer VvR) and Martijn Kamphuis (Chair RA).