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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Our brand name is being used by internet crooks! What can we do?

Cybercrime: hacker behind laptop

Even if you've taken all the sensible precautions, there's always a danger that cybercriminals will use your company's brand name in a scam. In an earlier article, we described ways of minimising the risk of phishing, fake webshops and CEO fraud. Unfortunately, though, the possibility of abuse can't be excluded. So what should you do if the worst does happen? A swift response is vital. And, to help you get something done, here's our guide to your options.

1. Notice-and-Take-Down Code

Protecting your brand on line

The Notice-and-Take-Down Code is the internet industry's voluntary code of conduct for dealing with unlawful and criminal website content. It describes the responsibilities of everyone connected with offending content. That includes us, if the content is linked to a .nl domain name. Primary responsibility lies with the content provider. That's the person or organisation that put the content on line. (By 'content', we mean video, photos, text, etc on the internet.) If the content provider doesn't respond to a request to take down the content, you move on to the next person or organisation in the responsibility 'ladder'.

It's important to approach each person or organisation in turn:

  1. The person who put the content on the internet (the uploader or writer)

  2. The website manager

  3. The registrant

  4. The registrar (the hosting service provider)

  5. The registry (e.g. SIDN for .nl)

If we receive a request to take down content, we follow our Notice-and-Take-Down Procedure. Fortunately, we don't receive many requests, because most issues are dealt with by people on lower rungs of the ladder.

2. Mediation and dispute resolution

The WIPO dispute resolution scheme is a low-threshold mechanism for getting something done if you think that a domain name makes unauthorised use of your brand name or trading name. WIPO can intervene if all three of these conditions are met:

  • A domain name infringes your rights (e.g. to a brand name or trading name)

  • The registrant has no legitimate interest in the name

  • The domain name has been registered or is being used in bad faith

Although you could take the case to court, dispute resolution is usually a cheaper, easier and faster option. It involves getting an independent expert in this field of law to rule on the case, instead of a judge. However, before the case goes to WIPO, we see whether a mediator can help. A mediator can get involved only if the registrant responds to your complaint. The mediator's role is to liaise between you and the registrant and to look for a solution you can both accept. For details, see the Dispute Resolution Regulations.

3. Reporting inaccurate Whois data to SIDN

We maintain a database called the Whois, with details of every .nl domain name's registrant. Those details have to be accurate. If a domain name's registrar (domain name service provider) can't validate the details of that name, we can ultimately cancel its registration. If you think that something in the Whois is wrong, please tell us by mailing support@sidn.nl or calling +31 26 352 5555. We'll investigate and see whether anything needs to be done. If you come across a similar issue with a domain name ending in .com or one of the other generic extensions, contact ICANN.

Monitor new websites and domain names

SIDN BrandGuard is your round-the-clock lookout for online threats to your brand. As soon as anyone registers a domain name similar to your brand name or domain name, we'll alert you. You can also use the service to get an idea whether a suspect domain name is being used for phishing or malware. So you can quickly take appropriate action.

Brand abuse on the internet is a real nuisance. It creates problems for your customers and staff, and it tarnishes your company's image. So it's important to act quickly in order to minimise the damage.