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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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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 is a sound organisation that's found its place in the world’’

Paul Schnabel looks back at nine years as Chair of our Supervisory Board

  • Tuesday 27 September 2022

Nine years ago, Paul Schnabel became Chair of SIDN's Supervisory Board. The role meant getting to know a previously unfamiliar sector, motivated by the dynamism and exciting possibilities he saw. Now, after completing the maximum term of office, Paul has handed the baton to Marjet van Zuijlen with effect from 1 September. Paul looks back with us at the milestones passed and partnerships forged during his time, describing the progress made and his expectations for the future.

Consolidating SIDN's reputation

Portrait of Paul Schnabel against an orange background
Paul Schnabel, former Chair of SIDN's Supervisory Board

"Over a number of years, SIDN has become more and more professional," observes Paul. "It's a settled, well-structured organisation with strong leadership and continuity in the makeup of the team. Its global reputation is now stronger than ever, thanks partly to involvement with organisations such as ICANN. And it operates a robust, secure and competitively priced top-level domain. When I became Chair, there were five million or so registered .nl domain names. Now there are more than six million. Those numbers make SIDN the domain name market leader in the Netherlands, with a solid reputation as operator of the world's oldest country-code domain."

Key milestones

Against a background of continuous growth for the .nl domain, the focus during Paul's time as Chair was on making the domain as strong and resilient as possible. And on maximising and maintaining internet security. "The security of the internet is a major challenge, and it's going to remain a challenge going forward," he says. "People are working day and night to prevent attacks and hacks. SIDN plays an active role in fields such as identifying and taking down fake webshops, with the work of SIDN Labs to the fore. The foundation is also a strong supporter of the fight against child sexual exploitation on the internet. SIDN's R&D team has achieved remarkable development in the last decade, with a lot of its effort focused on the security and protection of domain names and the prevention of abuse."

Paul highlights the creation of SIDN Fund as another important milestone. "In the space of seven years, the Fund has become an established feature of the landscape, supporting a range of initiatives and research projects. I also regard the appointment of SIDN Labs' Director Cristian Hesselman to a professorship at the University of Twente as very significant. It means that the academic community recognises what SIDN is doing. I pushed hard for that, and I'm proud of what's been achieved."

Another notable storyline from Paul's years in the Chair was the purchase and subsequent resale of Connectis, now renamed Signicat. SIDN bought a stake in Connectis in 2017, with the aim of giving a boost to the digital identities market in the Netherlands. "We devoted a lot of time and energy to upgrading Connectis's services," recalls Paul. "We took the company to the stage where it was ready for the next phase in its development. Selling Connectis gave SIDN the space and time to pursue other promising initiatives."

Lasting, constructive partnerships

"Throughout my time as Chair, relations with registrars were high on the agenda. It wasn't always plain sailing. Registrars are commercial enterprises, whereas SIDN is a not-for-profit foundation with significant public responsibilities. For SIDN, its ability to discharge those responsibilities independently is non-negotiable. Looking ahead, relations between SIDN and the registrars are sure to require the attention of my successor Marjet as well. I also hope that the close and constructive relationship between the Supervisory Board and the CEO will continue."

Clearly a great deal has happened and much has been achieved during Paul's nine years as Chair, resulting in a stable SIDN and a strong .nl domain. "SIDN is a healthy business with strong leadership, engaged in scientifically robust initiatives and projects. It's a sound organisation that's found its place in the world." For more about the Supervisory Board and its new Chair, see https://www.sidn.nl/en/about-sidn/supervisory-board.