A WHOIS lookup shows registrar, dates, status and name servers when the server supplies them. The tool’s summary does not show the holder’s name. For .se and .nu, WHOIS gives only a contact ID for the holder. Internetstiftelsen’s domain search shows organisation names for companies and associations, but hides contact details for individuals and sole traders. Search domains at Internetstiftelsen.
What does a WHOIS lookup show?
You can see the registrar, registration date, expiry date with days remaining, last update, status codes and name servers. The tool also provides an analysis and a text extract from RDAP or the raw WHOIS response. Available fields depend on the registry’s response.
The summary does not display the holder’s name. A contact ID for .se or .nu is not an owner’s name.
Support for most domain extensions
Most domain extensions are supported via RDAP with WHOIS on port 43 as fallback. The registry may not respond. For .se and .nu, the tool uses Internetstiftelsen’s WHOIS on port 43.
Reading the result: registrar, status and expiry date
The registrar field identifies the registrar, not the domain holder. An expiry date does not promise that the domain will become available that day. Check the status and the extension’s lifecycle rules too.
clientTransferProhibited- A registrar lock commonly used for extensions such as .com. It blocks transfers to another registrar and helps prevent hijacking. Ask your registrar to remove it before a transfer.
ok- No pending operations or prohibitions.
inactive- The domain has no name servers.
serverHold / clientHold- The domain is not active in DNS.
pendingDelete- The domain is awaiting deletion. Check the rules for its extension; this code alone does not give a release date.
redemptionPeriod- For gTLDs, the registrar has requested deletion. The registrar can restore the domain during this 30-day period. About five days after it ends, the domain is purged and becomes available. .se and .nu use Expired, Deactivated and quarantine instead.
Why is the owner hidden?
Personal data may be hidden for privacy under GDPR. For gTLDs, you may see “REDACTED FOR PRIVACY” or details of a privacy or proxy service instead of the holder’s information.
Internetstiftelsen’s web search hides contact details for individuals and sole traders. For legal entities, it shows the organisation name but not the contact person’s name or email. Hidden data is disclosed only with a legal basis under GDPR. Internetstiftelsen is not a public authority and is not subject to Sweden’s principle of public access.
WHOIS for .se and .nu
Internetstiftelsen’s port-43 WHOIS returns a contact ID for the holder, never the holder’s name. Use its domain search to see the holder information that can be disclosed.
After searching, you can use a contact form for technical or legal questions, or to ask about buying the domain. Internetstiftelsen cannot guarantee delivery or a reply.
Search domains at Internetstiftelsen · Contact a domain holder
WHOIS and RDAP – what is the difference?
RDAP is an IETF protocol for registration data in a standardised, structured format. It supports internationalisation, secure and differentiated access, and finding the authoritative server. This tool uses RDAP first and WHOIS on port 43 as fallback. For .se and .nu, it uses Internetstiftelsen’s WHOIS on port 43.
Since 28 January 2025, gTLD registries and registrars must offer RDAP. WHOIS is no longer required, except for .com, .name and .post. ICANN’s lookup tool uses RDAP. The registry may not respond, even for supported extensions.
The domain is taken – what can I do?
Ask the holder whether they would consider selling. For .se and .nu, you can use Internetstiftelsen’s contact form. Neither a reply nor a sale is guaranteed.
For .se and .nu, the expiry date is followed by Expired for 10 days, then Deactivated for 60 days. The domain stops working on the internet during Deactivated, but remains registered to the same holder, who can still renew it. It is then deregistered and quarantined for 7 days. Nobody can register it during quarantine.
On the release date, it may become available from 04:00 UTC at the earliest, on a first come, first served basis. Internetstiftelsen publishes a nightly list of deactivated .se and .nu domains that may become available. You can also search for a different name.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out who owns a domain?
The tool’s summary shows registrar, dates and status, but not the holder’s name. Search for a .se or .nu domain at Internetstiftelsen to see available holder information. It shows organisation names for companies and associations, but hides contact details for individuals and sole traders.
Why does it say “REDACTED” or “Privacy” instead of a name?
For gTLDs, holder details are often hidden for privacy or replaced by a privacy or proxy service. This does not mean the domain has no holder.
How do I contact the owner of a .se domain?
Search for the domain at Internetstiftelsen and use the contact form shown after the search. You can use it for technical or legal questions, or to ask about a purchase. Delivery and a reply are not guaranteed.
When does the domain expire, and what happens afterwards?
The expiry date is shown if the registry response includes it. For .se and .nu, Expired lasts 10 days, followed by Deactivated for 60 days, then 7 days in quarantine after deregistration. The holder can renew during Deactivated. The expiry date is therefore not the date the domain becomes available.
Can I buy a domain that someone else already owns?
You can ask the holder about a purchase, for example through Internetstiftelsen’s contact form for .se and .nu. They do not have to reply or sell. You can also search for a different available name.
What does clientTransferProhibited mean?
It is a registrar lock that blocks transfers to another registrar and helps prevent hijacking. It is common on gTLDs such as .com. Contact your registrar if it needs to be removed before a transfer.
Is the WHOIS lookup free, and do I need an account?
Yes, the lookup is free and no account is needed. Without an account you can run 100 checks per IP address per calendar day (Swedish time), shared across all tools. The tool shows how many you have left.
What is RDAP, and is it replacing WHOIS?
RDAP provides registration data in a standardised, structured format. Since 28 January 2025, gTLD registries and registrars must offer RDAP, while WHOIS is no longer required except for .com, .name and .post. ICANN’s lookup uses RDAP. This tool uses RDAP first and WHOIS on port 43 as fallback. For .se and .nu, it uses Internetstiftelsen’s WHOIS on port 43.