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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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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 partners Chamber of Commerce Start-ups Day

Starting a business? Join us in Utrecht on Saturday 4 November!

Female entrepreneur behind a desk with laptop
  • Wednesday 18 October 2023

National Start-ups Day – the Chamber of Commerce's annual event for people starting out in business – takes place at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht on 4 November this year. As an event partner, we'll be there to help people with questions about choosing the right names. Because a well-chosen trading name, brand name and domain name can give your new business a kickstart. As well as giving advice at our stand, we'll be helping to put on 2 workshops.

Chamber of Commerce Start-ups Day

If you're just getting started in business, or you're planning to take that route, the Chamber of Commerce Start-ups Day is a must. It's a free event, where you can pick up lots of invaluable tips and pointers about getting your business off to a flying start. Topics covered will include marketing, tax, administration, money matters and doing (online) business securely. As well as SIDN, various other partners will have stands at the event to give advice to visitors. At this year's event, there'll be the Tax and Customs Administration Service, the Employee Insurance Scheme Executive Body, the Digital Trust Center, webshop trustmark organisation Thuiswinkel.org, the Data Protection Authority, the automation advice association NOAB, intellectual property bureau BOIP and others.

Why is SIDN partnering Start-ups Day?

Dutch start-up businesses are important for the .nl domain, because commercial websites with .nl extensions make a big contribution to .nl's image. What's more, thousands of entrepreneurs and tradespeople find their way to sidn.nl each year via the Chamber of Commerce website. The CoC also plays an important role in educating businesspeople about selecting a domain name. Another reason for partnering the event is that it's a great opportunity for us to talk to the end users of our services face to face – something we love to do when we can.

What we'll be doing at the show

Start-ups Day always has an upbeat, inspiring atmosphere. Many of the people who drop by our stand ask us about choosing the best domain name for their new venture. We use our Suggestion Tool to give immediate, on-the-spot advice on the kind of domain name that their business and website needs. We also answer questions about hosting, website design and e-mail, which often involves referring people to our registrars. And we sometimes get approached by people who've got entangled in a domain name-related dispute, and want to know what to do.

Collaboration with the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP)

At last year's Start-ups Day, the SIDN and BOIP stands happened to be next door to one another. It proved to be a fortuitous arrangement, because our two organisations are mutually complementary. So this year, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, we've decided to deliver 2 joint sessions on choosing good names. As an additional attraction, we've together invited word artist Sjaak Kroes to write poetry celebrating start-up's names and enterprises.

We'd love to see you there!

Thinking of starting a business? Recently started out for yourself? The Chamber of Commerce Start-ups Day is a great way to brush up on marketing, taxation, administration, money matters and doing business securely. And it's free to attend!

We look forward to seeing you on 4 November!