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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

SIDN and the Registrars' Association

The trade association for Dutch registrars

All .nl domain names are registered through .nl registrars. The Dutch registrar community has about 1,150 members and is very diverse. It includes specialist domain name registration firms, internet service providers that offer a range of services including domain name registration, corporates that register domain names only for their own use, and businesses that trade in existing domain names. In other words, there are many different types of registrar, each with their own interests. The Registrars' Association was set up in 2006 with the aim of streamlining interaction between SIDN and the registrar community. The RA represents registrars' interests in relation to SIDN by advising us on administrative, technical, marketing and legal matters, both when we ask for input and when the RA wants to draw something to our attention.

Important discussion partner

The RA is the trade association for the domain name industry. Through the RA, registrars work together to keep making the internet in the Netherlands even better. After all, like us, the registrars are important players on the Dutch internet landscape. For SIDN, the RA is a key discussion partner, whom we actively involve in our work. Our Board and the RA Board meet at least 4 times a year, and we have quarterly discussions with the RA's Technical Committee (TechCom) and Marketing Committee (MarCom). In addition, 1 seat on our Supervisory Board is reserved for someone chosen after consultation with the RA. We provide the RA with financial support to facilitate its activities.

What the RA does

Contact with other registrars is very important to RA members. The RA therefore facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experience – by organising an annual networking dinner and the Day of the Domain Name, for example. Another important field of activity for the RA is lobbying the Dutch parliament in connection with relevant legislation and regulations, such as NIS2.

Becoming a member

As a .nl registrar, you're eligible to join the RA, and we encourage you to do so. For more about joining the RA, see the association's website, verenigingvanregistrars.nl.