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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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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 Registrars’ Association extend cooperation agreement

  • Friday 10 October 2014

SIDN’s CEO Roelof Meijer and Registrars’ Association Chair Erik Logtenberg and Secretary Flip Keijzer yesterday signed a new cooperation agreement between the two organisations. The agreement paves the way for SIDN and the Registrars’ Association to continue working together in the years ahead. Like its predecessor, the new agreement runs for three years.

Becoming a registrar

Registrars’ Association

SIDN’s constitution has always required that a body representing the registrars should be able to advise SIDN, on request or of its own accord. That role was originally performed by the Registrars’ Advisory Council, until it disbanded in 2006. Thereafter, the need for a new representative body to succeed the Council became increasingly apparent, resulting in formation of the Registrars’ Association (RA) in 2011. The RA was given the power not only to advise SIDN, but also to nominate one person for membership of the Supervisory Board.

Close cooperation between SIDN and Registrars’ Association

In recent years, SIDN and the Registrars’ Association have worked closely on various matters. A new pricing and billing system was developed, agreement was reached on the listing of resellers in the Whois and on the reinstatement of quarantined domain names. In addition, RA committees have provided input on operational matters in the fields of legal affairs, marketing and technology. At the start of this year, SIDN and the RA reviewed their relationship and reached an understanding regarding the further improvement of cooperation between the two organisations. The extension agreement that was signed today was born out of that understanding.

Registrars are the link between SIDN and the market

SIDN’s CEO Roelof Meijer commented: “Extension of the agreement shows that SIDN and the RA have made real progress in terms of working together. Over the last few years, there has been intensive cooperation on a number of extremely influential matters. We haven’t always agreed on everything, but the value of having input from an organisation that can speak for the registrar community has been demonstrated over and again. The registrars are our link with the market and are therefore one of our most important stakeholder groups.”

Collective drive makes the domain name industry a leading sector

RA Chair Erik Logtenberg added: “Cooperation with SIDN has been improving consistently. The RA is the body in which domain-related knowledge and talent is concentrated, which means that the feedback and input we provide has real added value for SIDN in a variety of fields. Our great strength is our network of affiliated registrars. We believe that our members deserve the best possible .nl and that, in the context of constructive cooperation with SIDN, our collective drive makes the domain name industry a leading sector of the Dutch economy.”