NetherlandsWorldwide

Applying for a Dutch nationality certificate if you live in Finland

If you are a Dutch national living in Finland, 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.

Warning: You can temporarily only apply for a Dutch nationality certificate to retain your Dutch nationality.

How you apply for the certificate depends on your situation:

  1. 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.)
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Attention:

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:

  • 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

Depending on your country of residence, additional document requirements may apply. Below you can find out about the requirements in Finland.

Proof of legal residence

You must provide proof of legal residence in the country where you live. In Finland, you can do this by providing one of the following documents:

There are two options:

  • Option 1 (for a fee): a recent English-language extract from the population register stating your nationality.
    • In Finnish this is called virkatodistus. In English, this is called extract from the population information system. You can request this extract from any service location of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (formerly Maistraatti).
    • You can also request the extract by e-mail: vtj-todistus@dvv.fi or by telephone via the Finnish local number: 029 55 36 230.
Attention: Note: for minors, the extract must contain the information about parents and custodians.
  • Option 2 (free of charge for adults): a summary of your personal data via Suomi.fi.
    • You can request an extract of your personal data (summary of personal data) online by logging in via online banking via Suomi.fi. Make print screens of the information (basic information, address details and possibly personal relationships) and add them to your application.
Attention: Please note: for minors you can request a birth certificate of the child via Suomi.fi for a fee.

Step 3: Apply for a certificate

Find out below how to submit your application.

How much will it cost?

A Dutch nationality certificate costs € 30 per certificate. Please transfer the total amount in euros (EUR) to:

Bankgegevens
Bank nameING Bank N.V.
Adress bankFinancial Plaza, Bijlmerdreef 106
Postal code bank1102 CT
Bank locationAmsterdam
Account holderMinisterie van Buitenlandse Zaken (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
AddressRijnstraat 8
Postal code2515 XP
LocationDen Haag (The Hague)
IBANNL57 INGB 0705 0010 08
BICINGBNL2A

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.