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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Attachment and seizure of a domain name

Although it's unlikely, you might get into a dispute with someone about a domain name. Occasionally, a dispute leads to one side taking the other to court. The disputed name may then be attached or seized, to stop it being cancelled or transferred to another registrant.

How to attach or seize a domain name

Frozen domain name Transferring your domain name

Attachment or seizure works like this:

  1. You get a lawyer.

    You'll need a Dutch 'advocaat' – a lawyer who can appear before a judge, like a barrister – to ask a court for an attachment or seizure order.

  2. Your lawyer instructs a bailiff.

    The bailiff's job is to put the court order into action. That involves delivering a formal court document to the registrant.

  3. The bailiff contacts us.

    The bailiff tells us that the domain name has been attached or seized. That can be done simply by e-mailing us a copy of the document delivered to the registrant. Alternatively, a copy can be delivered to us by a formal legal process known in Dutch as 'overbetekening'. The formal option isn't strictly necessary, however.

  4. We'll make sure the domain name can't be cancelled and its registrant can't be changed.

    As soon as we're told about the attachment or seizure, we freeze the domain name. That means the domain name can't be cancelled and its registrant can't be changed, unless you agree.

  5. We'll unfreeze the domain name when instructed.

    If the court lifts its original order, we'll unfreeze the name as soon as we get a copy of the new court order.

    We'll also unfreeze the name if you (the distraining party) ask us to in writing.

Important

  • During the time that a domain name is frozen, the registrant is still allowed to arrange for the name's management to be transferred to another registrar (hosting service provider).

  • Attachment or seizure can expire. For example:

    • If you fail to bring your case to court before the deadline specified by the court.

    • If you can't show that the order is still valid. We aren't in a position to know what has happened in your court case. Proceedings may have been halted, for example. So we may ask you to provide evidence that the order is still valid.

  • We don't charge for freezing an attached or seized domain name, or for unfreezing it later.