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  • The details registered about me/my company are incorrect or out of date.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

Examples of our impact on digital inclusion

We want a free and accessible internet where everyone has the same opportunities. So we frequently back initiatives designed to promote digital literacy. Projects that increase users' knowledge, broaden access and prepare the next generation for life in a digital society. Support is provided directly and through SIDN Fund.

Mediajungle

More than two million people in the Netherlands have a low IQ, and a high proportion of those have a mild mental disability. Such people are particularly vulnerable on line. In 2020, SIDN Fund supported the development of Mediajungle: an educational board game and app specially developed for this target audience, where players discuss media use. Last year, the Fund backed a follow-up project: development of a Mediajungle platform providing tools and educational resources designed to promote media literacy and digital self-sufficiency amongst people with mild mental disabilities. Such people are particularly liable to fall victim to and be drawn into committing online malpractices, such as disinformation sharing and internet crime.

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The voice of the Netherlands

For twenty-plus years, the Dutch-language computer voice has remained unchanged. People with impaired vision depend on the computer voice in order to use digital tools. However, the existing voice program is flawed. For example, 'ING' is always treated as the Dutch abbreviation for 'engineer', although it's also the name of one of the country's biggest banks. And 'file' is always pronounced as if it means 'computer file', not the Dutch word for 'traffic jam', which is spelled the same. The voice is also perceived as rather robotic. And it never varies, whether it's reading a news article, explaining the structure of a website, or vocalising a chat. So it's high time for new voice, adapted to users' wishes. One that's easy to understand, even when speaking quickly. SIDN Fund is therefore supporting the development of a roadmap towards an open-source Dutch-language computer voice. The new voice software will use the latest technologies and, for the first time, reflect the actual needs of blind and partially sighted internet users, and others who rely on speech software.

HackShield

For children growing up today, the internet is an integral part of everyday life. They aren't inclined to think of it as dangerous. Yet cybercrime is the fastest growing form of crime and looks set to keep rising as connectivity between people and gadgets increases. What's more, scams often now target individual internet users. So how can we make youngsters less vulnerable? HackShield is a game for children aged ten to twelve, which playfully promotes awareness of cybercrime and its impact. Developed with support from SIDN Fund and others, the game uses the MediaMasters platform to reach an audience of at least 160,000 youngsters. The game has become a great success and has won many prizes.