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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Window for confirming registration data cut from 5 days to 3

Prompt confirmation required in suspected fraud cases

  • Friday 2 December 2022

We believe it's very important that people see the .nl domain as trustworthy. So we don't tolerate fraudulent activities. If we see anything to suggest that a .nl domain name is being used for fraud, we can ask for evidence that the registration data is correct. Until now, the registrant has had 5 calendar days to demonstrate that the registration data is correct. However, with effect from 6 December 2022, we're reducing the window to 3 working days. If the registration data isn't confirmed within that time, we may delink or modify the domain's registered name servers. That will prevent people using the domain name to reach the original website. We have the right to do that under Article 18 of the General Terms and Conditions for .nl Registrants. The aim of the change is to minimise the time that fraudulent websites remain accessible.

When will we do this?

We don't ask for confirmation unless there are grounds for suspecting that a registration is fraudulent, such as evidence that the domain name is linked to a fake webshop. And we normally ask for confirmation only if the registrant is a business. We decide whether a registrant is a business by looking at various things, such as their name and whether they are selling goods and services on their website.

We always proceed with great care. For example, multiple expert staff members are involved in deciding whether to start an investigation and in assessing the evidence that the registrant provides to confirm the registration data.

If we decide to ask for data verification

If we decide that a domain name's registration data needs verifying, we'll contact both the registrant and the registrar by e-mail. We'll ask for evidence confirming the registrant's identity and other details. In our e-mail, we'll make it clear that, if we don't get evidence quickly, we may delink the domain's name servers. If we don't get an answer within 2 working days, we'll write again.

Our e-mail will go to the following people, using the addresses recorded in our database:

  • Registrant

  • Admin-c

  • Registrar

    • Registrar's primary contact

  • Registrar's anti-abuse contact (if details have been provided)

After 3 working days, we'll disable the domain name

If we don't get evidence confirming the registrant's identity within 3 working days, we'll delink or modify the domain's name servers. That will prevent people using the domain name to reach the original website. The domain name's registration won't be cancelled when we delink or modify the name servers.

Cancelling the registration

After deactivating a domain name, we inform the registrar and the registrant by e-mail. In our e-mail, we'll tell the registrar and registrant that we intend to cancel the domain name's registration. We have the right to do that under Article 16 of the General Terms and Conditions for .nl Registrants.

We'll also explain what the registrant or registrar can do to reactivate the domain name and/or to prevent the registration being cancelled.

Feel free to get in touch if you've got a question

You can reach us on working days between 8am and 6pm (Dutch time) by calling +31 26 352 5555 or mailing support@sidn.nl.