Check whether a .be name is free, and who registered it
Type a domain name and the checker asks DNS Belgium, the registry for .be, whether the name is available. For names that are taken it shows the registrar, the registration date, status flags, nameservers and DNSSEC keys, and it adds a quick look at live DNS records and the HTTPS status of the website. Use it before you register a name, when you take over a company website, or when you need to find out which registrar manages a domain.
What the status values mean
- AVAILABLE – the name is free. You can register it through any accredited .be registrar.
- NOT AVAILABLE – the name is registered. Registrar, registration date, nameservers and DNSSEC keys are shown.
- QUARANTINE – the name was recently released. After deletion a .be name stays in quarantine for 40 days. During that time only the previous holder can reactivate it; afterwards it becomes available.
- OUT OF SERVICE, NOT ALLOWED or REGISTERED (reserved) – the name is blocked or reserved and cannot be registered normally.
Understanding the flags
Flags such as clientTransferProhibited are transfer locks set by the registrar, and serverTransferProhibited is a lock set by DNS Belgium itself. A lock is normal and protects the domain against unauthorised transfer. If you want to move a domain to another registrar you ask the current registrar to remove the lock and give you the transfer code.
Privacy and holder details
The name of the holder is not shown in the public WHOIS for privacy reasons. DNS Belgium offers a web form for people with a legitimate request, such as a trademark owner. Because of that the checker can tell you who the registrar is but not who owns the domain.
Accented names and punycode
.be supports accented names such as café.be. They are registered in punycode as xn--caf-dma.be. You can type either form. To convert between the two use the punycode converter.
After you own the domain
Once a name is registered you still need working DNS, mail records and a valid certificate. The Domain Health Check tests SPF, DKIM, DMARC, DNSSEC and HTTPS in one go, and the certificate decoder explains the contents of an X.509 certificate.
What is sent where
The domain name is sent to DNS Belgium for availability and WHOIS data and to Google Public DNS for live DNS records. The lookup is made by our server, limited to one query per check, and respects the registry's terms of use. Nothing else is collected.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check whether a .be domain is available?
Type the name in the checker. It queries DNS Belgium and shows AVAILABLE, NOT AVAILABLE, QUARANTINE or a blocked status.
What does quarantine mean for a .be domain?
After a .be name is deleted it stays in quarantine for 40 days. Only the previous holder can reactivate it during that time; afterwards it becomes available again.
Can I see who owns a .be domain?
No. The holder is not shown in the public WHOIS for privacy reasons. The checker shows the registrar, registration date and technical data. DNS Belgium offers a form for legitimate requests.
What is clientTransferProhibited?
It is a transfer lock set by the registrar. It is normal and prevents the domain from being moved by mistake or without permission.
Does the checker support domains with accents?
Yes. You can type café.be or its punycode form xn--caf-dma.be.