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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Update spoof invoices

  • Tuesday 5 August 2014

We recently reported that two firms – NL Domein Host and Domeinhost Nederland – were sending out ‘spoof invoices’. We are advising anyone who receives a spoof invoice not to pay it. However, we have been unable to establish that the two firms are doing anything unlawful, which would allow us to intervene directly.

Beware of spoof invoices!

What SIDN has done so far

We believe that the practices of NL Domein Host and Domeinhost Nederland are undesirable and that they detract from the trustworthiness of the .nl domain and our registrars. Over the last few days, we have therefore taken action to minimise the undesirable effects of the two firms’ activities. The steps we have taken are as follows:

Registrar approached

The firms’ domain name and website are registered and hosted by a .nl registrar. We have approached the registrar in question and asked for action to be taken against NL Domein Host and Domeinhost Nederland as a matter of urgency.

Website user approached

We have additionally written to the user of the website, highlighting the matter of the spoof invoices and asking that appropriate action is taken.

Advertising Fraud Support Centre contacted

We have been in touch with the Advertising Fraud Support Centre to exchange information and experience.

Registration and legality checked

We have established that the domain name used by the two firms was correctly registered. The content of the website has been examined and appears to be legal. We nevertheless regard the covering e-mail and spoof invoice associated with the website as undesirable.

What can you do?

Don’t pay the invoice

We advise anyone who receives an invoice from NL Domein Host and/or Domeinhost Nederland not to pay it.

Report the matter

We suggest that you report any spoof invoice you receive to one of the following organisations:

  • The Advertising Fraud Support Centre (fraudemeldpunt.nl)

  • The registrar that acts for NL Domein Host and Domeinhost Nederland

Pooling evidence about multiple cases makes it easier to tackle the abuse.