Becoming Dutch by option

What to do.

• You submit a statement to the municipality that you wish to become a Dutch citizen by option.
• You pay the costs after you have made the statement.
• You fill in a form stating that you wish to make the declaration of allegiance. You make this declaration during the naturalization ceremony. By doing so, you declare that Dutch law also applies to you. Children under the age of 16 are not required to do this.

The municipality will check your declaration. If it is approved, you will receive an invitation to the naturalization ceremony.

Naturalization ceremony

At the naturalization ceremony, you will make a declaration of allegiance. During the ceremony, you will also receive confirmation that you have become a Dutch citizen. You are required to attend this ceremony. Was your child 16 years of age or older when you made the declaration of choice? Then he or she is also required to attend the ceremony. Children younger than 16 are not required to attend, but they are of course welcome to do so.

What do I need?

• Your residence permit
• Your valid passport or other travel document
• Your birth certificate
• Other documents relating to your personal situation. These could include a marriage certificate or divorce decree.

Important for foreign documents

• The municipality must be able to verify that foreign documents are genuine. This can be done by legalizing the documents. Ask the municipality in advance whether this is necessary.
• Foreign documents must be in Dutch, English, French, or German. If this is not the case, you must first have the documents translated by a translator certified in the Netherlands.

What does it cost?

The fees must be paid when submitting the application, preferably by debit card. Would you like to know how much the fees will be for you? Please contact the Civil Affairs Department.