Registry
A registry is the party that manages a particular domain name extension and determines and controls the procedures for issuing it. Domain names cannot usually be registered directly with the registry. For most extensions, this requires an intermediary, a registrar.
The registry for the .nl domain is the Stichting Internet Domeinregistratie Nederland (SIDN).
Most registries offer a whois, which can be used to query the owner of a domain.
