Declaration of Marital Status in Sierra Leone

Declaration of marital status

If you wish to marry abroad, you may need a declaration of marital status. To obtain one, you must produce several documents to prove that you are not married or in a registered partnership.

What documents do you need when applying?

If you have never been married

• proof that you have Dutch nationality, this may be any one of the following documents:
  • a Dutch passport
  • a Dutch national identity card
  • a certificate of Dutch nationality
• an address and proof of registration of place of residence
• a declaration of unmarried status. If you are no longer registered in the Personal Records Database (BPR) in the Netherlands, request this as an extract from the Non-residents Records Database (RNI). You will then have proof of your marital status at the time you left the Netherlands.

If you have previously been married

• proof that you have Dutch nationality, this may be any one of the following documents:
  • a Dutch passport
  • a Dutch national identity card
  • a certificate of Dutch nationality
• an address and proof of registration of place of residence
• divorce certificates, foreign judgments or a death certificate

You may need to have the original legalised and translated. The rules vary per country. 

The term ongehuwd (unmarried)

The term ongehuwd (unmarried) is used only if you have never married or entered into a registered partnership. If you have been married previously or been in a registered partnership, the term gescheiden (which means you have divorced or terminated a registered partnership) or weduwe/weduwnaar (widow/widower) will be used in the declaration. Details of any and all previous marriages or registered partnerships must appear on the document.

How do I apply for a consular declaration?

You can apply by e-mail:

1. Send your e-mail to: acc-ca@minbuza.nl.
2. Include the name of declaration and your surname in the subject of your email.
3. Please indicate in the email what you need the declaration for. So the embassy will state the purpose of your declaration in the declaration.
4. Do not forget to mention your (mobile) telephone number in the email.
5. Make a PDF of all the required documents and send it as an attachment (a photo of your documents is not allowed).
   Is the PDF file too large to send in one go? Then split the documents and send them in 2 (or more) emails.

Is your file not complete? Or is something unclear or do you have questions? Then you may have to send additional documents.

How much should I pay?

Is your application complete? Then you will receive an e-mail with the following information:

• The total amount you have to pay: a statement costs €30.
• The reference number to use with your transfer. Please note: if you do not use the reference number, this will lead to a delay in issuing the statement.
• Payment instructions: transfer in euros to the bank account of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague.

As soon as your payment has been received, the embassy will draw up the declaration.

You will receive your declaration digitally by e-mail.

How long does it take?

After receiving your proof of payment, it takes about 10 working days to process your request.

Do you have to send additional documents because your application is not complete? Then it takes longer.

Any questions?

In case you have a question, you can send an email via the contact form.