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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Becoming a registrar

Would you like to be able to register domain names with us directly? Then why not become a registrar?

What are the benefits?

  • You can register domain names with us directly.

  • You can use the Whois more often and you can get more detailed information from it.

  • You will be invited to useful and enjoyable events, e.g. our SIDN BBQ and SIDN Inspire.

  • Access to our SIDN Academy with free educational materials on technical applications.

What are the conditions?

SIDN registrar logo

For full details, read the General Terms and Conditions for Registrars. A few important things to bear in mind:

  • Your registrar account has to be in the name of your business. Trading names are allowed as long as they are in the Trade Register.

  • The person who signs the contract for you has to be named as a signatory in the Trade Register extract that you send us.

  • We can refuse your application if you have been a registrar before and you didn't fulfil your obligations (e.g. you didn't pay us or you paid late).

What does it cost?

  • There is a one-off enrolment fee of €25 excluding VAT. For this you will receive a separate bill. We collect the amount from your account.

  • Once your account is active, you pay a monthly registrar's fee of €85, excluding VAT. The payments start once your account has been activated.

  • You also pay for various registration activities, such as:

    • Registering a domain name

    • Reactivating a quarantined (cancelled) domain name

    • Taking over all the domain names in another registrar's portfolio, or some of them

For a full list of fees and charges, e-mail support@sidn.nl.

What's the enrolment procedure?

Enrolment involves five steps:

1. Download the enrolment form.

2. Complete the form.

It's important that the information you give is correct and that you don't miss anything out, e.g. your signature. By completing the form, you also authorise us to collect invoiced sums by direct debit.

3. Attach a register extract:

You need to let us have an extract from the Trade Register, Foundations Register or Associations Register, no more than 6 months old.

4. E-mail the form and the extract to support@sidn.nl or post them to:

SIDN Support Department PO Box 5022 6802 EA ARNHEM The Netherlands

5. You will receive two e-mails in return.

We'll e-mail you as soon as your enrolment is complete. That can take up to 5 working days. In the first e-mail, you'll receive: - Your registrar number - Your log-in details for the DRS (Domain Registration System) In the second e-mail there will be a link, which you can use to create a password for the registrars' website. The site is where you'll find everything you need to operate as a registrar.

Membership of the Registrars' Association

As a registrar, you can join the Registrars Association (RA). The RA looks after registrars' interests in relation to SIDN. For more about the RA, see our page 'SIDN and the Registrars' Association' and the association's own website.

Need more help?

If there's anything else you'd like to know, e-mail us any time at support@sidn.nl.

Frequently asked questions

What if we are based outside the Netherlands?

Organisations from other countries can enrol as registrars in much the same way as Dutch organisations. The procedure differs in two ways:

  • You need to provide an extract from your country's equivalent of the Trade Register, Foundations Register or Associations Register. The extract has to be no more than six months old and written in Dutch or English.

  • You don't have to pay VAT on your enrolment fee.

Can we see the registration system manuals before enrolling?

Yes, just e-mail a request to support@sidn.nl.

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