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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Registering a domain name

Have you thought of a domain name and checked that it's available? Then you're ready to register it through a registrar (hosting service provider). Here's how:

Register a domain name through a registrar in three easy steps

1. Looking up a domain name

If you've thought of a name, you'll want to know whether anyone else has already taken it. You can do that by typing it into the bar at the top of the page, where it says, 'Find your perfect .nl'. You can see right away whether the name's available, or what its status is.

2. Choose a registrar

If the name you've thought of hasn't been taken, we'll show you a random selection of eight registrars (hosting service providers) who can register it for you. Already chosen a registrar that's not one of the eight? No problem. Select from a comprehensive list of registrars offering registration services to the public. 

Tip: secure your domain name.

You may want to get extra security for your domain name. Select from a comprehensive list of registrars offering additional services such as DNSSEC and SIDN BrandGuard.

3. Register your domain name

Pay special attention to two things:

Tip 1. Enter the correct registrant

Only the registrant recorded in our database is entitled to transfer a domain name to another registrar, reinstate a quarantined domain name, or convey a registration to another registrant.

  • Registering a domain name for your own business or for your employer? Then enter the name of the business as the registrant.

  • Registering a domain name for private use? Then enter your own details.

Avoiding problems

Problems can arise later if you don't think carefully about who is named as the registrant. If the application is in the name of an employee, what happens if he or she gets another job? If there are two people at the same address called J Smith, will correspondence reach the right person? So make sure that the application's in the right name. And, if anything changes, let us know right away.

Tip 2: Enter your home address or office address.

In the address field, enter your home address or office address. You can't use a PO box address.

Tip 3. Make sure you give the right e-mail address.

The e-mail address you give for your administrative contact must be one where we can be sure of reaching you. We'll use that address to let you know about changes affecting your domain name. And it'll appear in the Whois, where other people can look up details of your domain name. It's a good idea to give your own address as the technical contact's address. Your registrar may do that automatically.

Agree to the terms and conditions

1.    When you register a .nl domain name, you enter into a contract with us. Your registrar will arrange it for you. One of the conditions is that you accept the General Terms and Conditions for .nl Registrants. 2.    You'll normally enter into another contract with your registrar, covering other services, such as mail and hosting. Usually, it's all arranged as part of the same application process.

Your registrar registers your domain name with us
billboard with .nl

Once you've agreed to the conditions, your registrar submits your application to us. We deal with applications in the order we receive them. If there are no issues with your application, we'll add your new domain name to the .nl zone. That doesn't take long: no more than an hour from when your registrar submits the application.

Check your details in the Whois

Checking your details just involves typing your domain name into the bar on our homepage. Hit the 'Check' button, then agree to the conditions for viewing detailed information. Is everything the way you wanted it, including the registrant's name and the administrative contact's e-mail address?

Afterwards: keep your details up to date

Make sure that we always have up-to-date contact details for you, in case we need to get in touch. If there are changes, let us know through your registrar. For more info, see Updating contact details.

Frequently asked questions

How can I find out whether a .nl domain name is still available for registration?

Use the bar at the top, where it says: find your perfect .nl (Whois).

The domain name I want to register is shown as being 'In quarantine' but the quarantine end date and time has already passed. How come?

The specified date and time are when the quarantine period ends. After the quarantine period, a random period of between 0 and 3600 seconds (1 hour) has to elapse before the domain name becomes available for anyone to register. Read more about undoing the cancellation of a domain name.

I've registered a domain name, but the details shown in the Whois aren’t correct. Can you change them?

You need to go through your registrar, who can update your details on our system. Make sure that your domain name is registered in your name. It's also important that your e-mail address is given for the administrative contact. That's the address where we'll send information about any changes affecting your domain name.

What does a domain name cost?

Registrars fix their own prices. A domain name often comes as part of a package of services, which differs from one registrar to the next. The package may include things such as e-mail, web hosting and website management. We don't tell registrars what to charge for their services.

What are the privacy implications of giving you personal information about myself?

The way we handle your personal data is described in SIDN and Privacy.

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