Applying for a Dutch nationality certificate if you live in Switzerland
If you are a Dutch national living in Switzerland, you can apply for a Dutch nationality certificate. You must provide a number of documents with your application. The documents you need depend on your personal situation.
How you apply for the certificate depends on your situation:
- I have never held a Dutch passport or ID card: you cannot apply for a Dutch nationality certificate. This also applies to children who do not yet have a Dutch passport or ID card. (You can, however, apply for a Dutch passport or ID card if you wish.)
- My Dutch passport or ID card has expired and/or I have a previously issued Dutch nationality certificate: you can apply for a Dutch nationality certificate but you must submit your application by registered post. Find out below how to do that.
- I have a valid Dutch passport or ID card: you can apply for a Dutch nationality certificate online. Find out below how to do that.
Find out more about the situations in which you can apply for a Dutch nationality certificate.
Step 1: Create a personal checklist
When you apply for a Dutch nationality certificate, it is important that you provide the right documents. So you should first fill in the personal checklist for you or your child. Then you’ll know what documents you need.
In Step 2, you will see whether there are additional document requirements in the country you live in.
Generate your personal checklist by answering a maximum of 10 questions:
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- Your foreign documents may need to be legalised.
- If your document was not drawn up in Dutch, English, French or German, you should have it translated by a sworn translator.
- You may be asked to provide additional documents.
A Dutch nationality certificate is only issued in Dutch.
Step 2: Check the additional requirements/information
Your documents may need to meet additional requirements in a given country. Below you can find out about the requirements for Switzerland.
Proof of legal residence
You can do this by providing one of the following documents:
- a valid residence permit and a residence certificate (Wohnsitzbescheinigung/attestation de domicile) bearing your address and nationality
- if you also hold the Swiss nationality: a valid Swiss passport or ID card as well
Additional information regarding birth and marriage certificates
Does your personal checklist (step 1) indicate that you must bring a birth certificate and/or marriage certificate when you apply? Then read the information below carefully.
Are you or were your parents born or married in Switzerland?
Please provide an international ICCS extract from the marriage register. The extract must have been issued in the last 12 months. Family books (Familienbuch/livret de famille) or family certificates (Familienschein/certificat de famille) will not be accepted.
Are you or were your parents born or married in France?
Please provide a complete official copy (copie intégrale) of the birth and/or marriage certificate.
Are you or were your parents born or married in in Germany?
Please provide a multilingual international extract of the certificate.
First-time application
Does your personal checklist (step 1) state that you need to get a document legalised? And do you have a birth certificate or marriage certificate issued by Switzerland? Then legalisation is not necessary. You can use these documents directly for the application of your passport or ID card.
Step 3: Apply for a certificate
Find out below how to submit your application.
If you have never held a Dutch passport or ID card, you cannot apply for a Dutch nationality certificate. This also applies to children who do not yet have a Dutch passport or ID card.*
Apply for a passport or identity card
* You cannot use a Dutch nationality certificate for travel or to prove your identity. The certificate only establishes that the holder was a Dutch national on the day that it was issued.
If your Dutch passport or ID card has expired and/or you have a previously issued Dutch nationality certificate, you cannot submit your application by email. Send your application with all the required documents (copies or in some cases originals) by registered post to the consular section of the Dutch embassy or Dutch consulate-general in your country of residence. Or to the nearest Dutch embassy or consulate-general if there is none in your country of residence.
Points to note
- Create a personal checklist to find out what original documents you must submit with your application. It’s important that you include the completed checklist with your application.
- Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your application so that the embassy or consulate-general can return the original documents to you.
- Any foreign documents may need to be legalised.
After checking your documents, the embassy or consulate-general will forward your application to the Consular Service Organisation (CSO) in The Hague. CSO will assess and process your application.
Send scanned copies (PDF) of all the required documents and proof of payment to: verklaringnederlanderschap@247bz.nl
If the attachments exceed the maximum size for one email, divide the documents over 2 or more emails.
How much will it cost?
A Dutch nationality certificate costs € 30 per certificate. Please transfer the total amount in euros (EUR) to:
| Bank name | ING Bank N.V. |
|---|---|
| Adress bank | Financial Plaza, Bijlmerdreef 106 |
| Postal code bank | 1102 CT |
| Bank location | Amsterdam |
| Account holder | Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
| Address | Rijnstraat 8 |
| Postal code | 2515 XP |
| Location | Den Haag (The Hague) |
| IBAN | NL57 INGB 0705 0010 08 |
| BIC | INGBNL2A |
Important! When making the transfer please state the following: VBN - <your initials and last name> - <your country of residence>.
For example: VBN - PJ Janssen - Spain
Please ensure to provide proof of payment with your application. For example, proof that the money has been debited from your bank account.
How long will it take?
The average processing time for applications is 4 weeks. If you are asked to send additional documents, processing may take up to 8 weeks. You will receive the certificate digitally by email.
How long is a Dutch nationality certificate valid for?
The validity period of a Dutch nationality certificate is not defined by law. The certificate simply shows that you held Dutch nationality on the date it was issued.
It is up to the organisation requiring you to present the certificate to determine how recently it must have been issued .
What language will the certificate be issued in?
Dutch nationality certificates are issued in Dutch only.
Any questions?
In case you have a question, you can send an email via the contact form.