Applying to become a Dutch citizen via the option procedure
If you or one of your parents was born before 1 January 1985 to a Dutch mother and a non-Dutch father, you can apply for Dutch nationality via an option statement. How you can arrange this depends on your situation.
What is an option statement?
There are various ways of becoming a Dutch citizen. One way of becoming a Dutch citizen is via the option procedure. This involves you providing a statement about your Dutch origins. You must also submit various supporting documents The embassy or consulate will sign the statement and hold a ceremony, thereby officially confirming that you are a Dutch citizen.
What is your situation?
Click ‘+’ to make your selection.
You were born before 1 January 1985 to a Dutch mother and a non-Dutch father
Conditions of applying via the option procedure
- You were born before 1 January 1985.
- Your mother possessed Dutch nationality at the time of your birth.
- Your father did not possess Dutch nationality at the time of your birth.
- You have not previously become a Dutch citizen via the option procedure.
What documents will you need to submit?
You will need to submit a number of documents relating to you, your mother and your father. For each document you must submit the original and one photocopy. Please make sure to make color copies (not black and white). You must have any foreign documents legalised first.
You will also need to submit an option procedure application form. You should only sign this form at the embassy or consulate.
- A complete copy of your birth certificate or extract from the register of births. Hospital-issued certificates are not permitted. The official copy or extract should contain the following information:
- place of birth
- both parents’ full names - Passport(s) you hold for each of your current nationalities.
- Proof of legal residence in the country you are applying from.
- A passport photo.
- An unsigned model 1.38a option procedure application form (in Dutch).
- Proof that she possessed Dutch nationality at the time of your birth.
This can be a de-registration certificate from the Central Population Registers Office (Bureau Vestigingsregister) in The Hague (website in English). Your mother’s nationality and marital status at the time she left the Netherlands must appear on the certificate. - A photocopy of her passport and if possible a photocopy of her Dutch passport issued around the time of your birth.
- Proof of legal residence if she does not reside in the country of her nationality.
- An official copy of your parents’ marriage certificate, giving their full names and date of marriage.
- If your mother has acquired a new nationality or nationalities: the naturalisation certificate(s).
- If your mother is divorced: an official copy of the divorce certificate.
- If your mother is deceased: an official copy of her death certificate.
- A complete official copy of his birth certificate or extract from the register of births. Hospital-issued certificates are not permitted. The official copy or extract should contain the following information:
- place of birth
- both parents’ full names. - A photocopy of his passport.
- Proof of legal residence if he does not reside in the country of his nationality.
- If possible: a photocopy of his passport issued around the time of your birth.
- If your father has acquired a new nationality or nationalities: the naturalisation certificate(s).
Applying on behalf of a minor aged from 1 to 15
Children under 18 cannot submit their own option statement. Instead, an authorised parent or guardian must apply on their behalf.
Conditions of applying via the option procedure
- The child is under 18.
- The child’s parents were married to each other at the time of the child’s birth.
or
The child was acknowledged before their birth.
or
The child’s mother was unmarried at the time of the child’s birth. - The child’s mother or father has become a Dutch citizen via the option procedure article 6.1.i RWN.
or
The child’s mother or father died before they could apply to become a Dutch citizen via the option procedure.
If so, contact the embassy or consulate for more information.
Which documents do you need to submit?
You will need to submit a number of documents relating to the child, their mother and their father. For each document you must submit the original and one photocopy. Please make sure to make color copies (not black and white). You must have any foreign documents legalised first.
You will also need to submit an option procedure application form. You should only sign this form at the embassy or consulate.
- A complete official copy of their birth certificate or extract from the register of births. Hospital-issued certificates are not permitted. The official copy or extract should contain the following information:
- place of birth
- both parents’ full names. - Passport(s) the child holds for each of their current nationalities.
- Proof of legal residence in the country of application.
- A passport photo.
- An unsigned model 1.41a option procedure application form (in Dutch).
- Proof of Dutch nationality (model 1:33a option statement).
- A photocopy of the passport they hold for each of their current nationalities.
- Proof of legal residence in the country of application.
- If the parent is married: an official copy of their marriage certificate.
- If the parent is divorced: an official copy of the divorce certificate.
- If the parent is deceased: an official copy of the death certificate.
- A complete official copy of their birth certificate or extract from the register of births. Hospital-issued certificates are not permitted. The official copy or extract should contain the following information:
place of birth
both parents’ full names. - A photocopy of the passport they hold for each of their current nationalities.
- Proof of legal residence if they do not reside in the country of their nationality.
- If possible: a photocopy of their Dutch passport issued around the time of the child’s birth.
- If the parent has acquired a new nationality or nationalities: the naturalisation certificate(s).
Applying on behalf of a minor aged 16 or 17
Children under 18 cannot submit their own option statement. Instead, an authorised parent or guardian must apply on their behalf.
Conditions of applying via the option procedure
- The child is under 18.
- The child’s parents were married to each other at the time of the child’s birth.
or
The child was acknowledged before their birth.
or
The child’s mother was unmarried at the time of the child’s birth. - The child’s mother or father has become a Dutch citizen via the option procedure.
or
The child’s mother or father died before they could apply to become a Dutch citizen via the option procedure.
If so, contact the embassy or consulate for more information.
What documents do you need to submit?
You will need to submit a number of documents relating to the child, their mother and their father. For each document you must submit the original and one photocopy. Please make sure to make color copies (not black and white). You must have any foreign documents legalised first.
You will also need to submit an option procedure application form. You should only sign this form at the embassy or consulate.
- A complete official copy of their birth certificate or extract from the register of births. Hospital-issued certificates are not permitted. The official copy or extract should contain the following information:
- place of birth
- both parents’ full names. - Passport(s) the child holds for each of their current nationalities.
- Proof of legal residence in the country of application.
- A passport photo.
- An unsigned model 1.41a option procedure application form (in Dutch).
- Proof of Dutch nationality (model 1:33a option statement).
- A photocopy of the passport they hold for each of their current nationalities.
- Proof of legal residence in the country of application.
- If the parent is married: an official copy of their marriage certificate.
- If the parent is divorced: an official copy of the divorce certificate.
- If the parent is deceased: an official copy of the death certificate.
- A complete official copy of their birth certificate or extract from the register of births. Hospital-issued certificates are not permitted. The official copy or extract should contain the following information:
- place of birth
- both parents’ full names. - A photocopy of the passport they hold for each of their current nationalities.
- Proof of legal residence if they do not reside in the country of their nationality.
- If possible: a photocopy of their Dutch passport issued around the time of the child’s birth.
- If the parent has acquired a new nationality or nationalities: the naturalisation certificate(s).
You are 18 or over and have a parent who has become a Dutch citizen via the option procedure
Conditions of applying via the option procedure
- You are 18 or over
- Your parents were married to each other at the time of your birth.
or
You were acknowledged before your birth.
or
Your mother was unmarried at the time of your birth. - Your mother or father has become a Dutch citizen via the option procedure.
or
Your mother or father died before they could apply to become a Dutch citizen via the option procedure.
If so, contact the embassy or consulate for more information.
What documents will you need to submit?
You will need to submit a number of documents relating to you, your mother and your father. For each document you must submit the original and one photocopy. Please make sure to make color copies (not black and white). You must have any foreign documents legalised first.
You will also need to submit an option procedure application form. You should only sign this form at the embassy or consulate.
- A complete official copy of your birth certificate or extract from the register of births. Hospital-issued certificates are not permitted. The official copy or extract should contain the following information:
- place of birth
- both parents’ full names. - Passport(s) you hold for each of your current nationalities.
- Proof of legal residence in the country you are applying from.
- A passport photo.
- If you are married: an official copy of your marriage certificate.
- An unsigned model 1.40a option procedure application form (in Dutch).
You should only sign this form at the front desk of the embassy or consulate.
- Proof of Dutch nationality (model 1:33a option statement).
- A photocopy of the passport they hold for each of their current nationalities.
- Proof of legal residence in their country of residence.
- If the parent is married: an official copy of their marriage certificate.
- If the parent is divorced: an official copy of the divorce certificate.
- If the parent is deceased: an official copy of the death certificate.
- A complete official copy of their birth certificate or extract from the register of births. Hospital-issued certificates are not permitted. The official copy or extract should contain the following information:
- place of birth
- both parents’ full names. - A photocopy of the passport they hold for each of their current nationalities.
- Proof of legal residence if they do not reside in the country of their nationality.
- If possible: a photocopy of their Dutch passport issued around the time of your birth.
- If the parent has acquired a new nationality or nationalities: the naturalisation certificate(s).
You have lost Dutch citizenship and want to regain it in order to restore your Union Rights
Conditions of applying via the option procedure
- You have lost your Dutch citizenship
- You don't have citizenship of a different EU country
- You are able to prove a connection to a EU country
- You have the required documents
What documents will you need to submit?
You will need to submit a number of documents. For each document you must submit the original and one photocopy. Please make sure to make color copies (not black and white). You must have any foreign documents legalised first.
You will also need to submit an option procedure application form. You should only sign this form at the embassy or consulate.
- A complete official copy of your birth certificate or extract from the register of births. Hospital-issued certificates are not permitted. The official copy or extract should contain the following information:
- place of birth
- both parents’ full names. - Passport(s) you hold for each of your current nationalities.
- Proof of legal residence in the country you are applying from.
- A passport photo.
- If you are married: an official copy of your marriage certificate.
- A certificate of conduct (VOG).
- Documents that prove your connection to the EU, such as:
- Official government documents (from a different EU state than the Netherlands)
- Company documents such as employment contracts, paychecks, proof of registration at the Chamber of Commerce, proof of registration at a school or university
- Proof of real estate ownership
- Visa and stamps in your passport - If your child or children are on the application: their birth certificate or a different proof of lineage.
- An unsigned model option procedure application form.
You should only sign this form at the front desk of the embassy or consulate.
Where can you apply?
You can submit your application in person at the Dutch embassy or consulate-general in the region where you live. Make sure you have submitted all the necessary documents.
Make an appointment
You can make an appointment to visit the embassy or consulate in your region.
How long will it take?
Your application will be processed within 13 weeks. This period may be extended once by a maximum of 13 weeks.
How much will it cost?
You will need to pay the relevant consular fee. You can pay at the desk on the day you apply.