Applying for Dutch citizenship by naturalisation in the Netherlands
Do you want to apply for the Netherlands (Dutch) nationality? One of the ways is to apply for naturalisatie (naturalisation). You can hand in your application via your municipality.
Usually one of the conditions is that you have been legally living in the Netherlands for at least 5 years. Read all conditions of naturalisation on the website of the Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst – IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service).
In some cases there are exemptions to the condition of 5 years of legal residence.
The municipaity will send the application to the IND. The decision will be made by the IND.
The decision-making process takes a maximum of 12 months. You can track the progress of your application on the Mijn IND online portal.
This is how it works for you
Here is some information from your municipality.
Becoming a Dutch national through naturalisation/by option
As a foreign national you can apply for Dutch nationality. This can be done in 2 ways: by naturalisation or by option. You can read below which method suits you.
2 ways to become a Dutch national
- Through naturalisation. You apply to become a Dutch national. The King decides on this. You do this if you have not been in the Netherlands that long.
- By option. You declare that you want to become a Dutch national. The mayor decides on your application. You do this if you have been in the Netherlands for some time.
- A valid passport or other travel document.
- A valid residence permit.
- A birth certificate (of all applicants) from the country you come from (only if you have never shown it to us before, check it on mijnoverheid.nl under 'Identity and description of document'.
Birth certificate(s) in the basic registration of persons (BPR)
The birth certificates of all applicants must first be registered in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP) before you can apply for Dutch nationality. To do this, make an appointment at the Civil Affairs Department for 'Registering foreign documents (register foreign documents)'.
Legalise or translate foreign documents
Foreign documents often have to be legalised and translated before you can use them in the Netherlands.
Read more about legalizing and translating documents on the Netherlands Worldwide
First call appointment
First we discuss your situation over the phone. Then we know together what the possibilities are for you. And what documents you need. Make an appointment for this via the button below. We will call you within a few working days.
Second call appointment
Have you had a first telephone appointment, but everything was not yet complete? And have you now collected all the information? Then make a second appointment by clicking the button below. We'll go over everything with you. We also agree when you come to the counter.
Children under the age of 12 will attend the appointment
Are you also applying for Dutch nationality for your minor children? And are they 12 and older? Then they come to the appointment.
With DigiD
Without DigiD
You pay the costs of your application directly at the counter.
| For whom? | Naturalisation | Option |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | € 1.023 | € 217 |
| With partner | € 1.305 | € 370 |
| 1 person, verlaagde prijs | € 760 | |
| Met partner, verlaagde prijs | € 1.044 | |
| Per minderjarig kind | € 151 | € 24 |
Lowered price
You are eligible for a reduced rate if you have an asylum permit for an indefinite period. Or if you are registered as stateless in the Personal Records Database (BRP).
Naturalization
The assessment of your application takes a maximum of 1 year. The procedure consists of 3 steps:
Step 1: research and advice to the municipality
Step 2: application and advice to IND
Step 3: reply IND
Step 1: research and advice to the municipality
We will examine your application and draw up a recommendation.
Step 2: application and advice to the IND
We will then send your application together with our advice to the IND. The IND will assess your application.
Step 3: Reply IND
The IND will send a letter to your home address. The letter states whether your application has been approved. You will receive the letter no later than 1 year after your application.
Option
You will receive a letter with the result of your application within 13 to 26 weeks.
Has your application been approved? Then you will receive an invitation from us for a naturalization ceremony. You do not become a Dutch national until you have attended the ceremony and have made the declaration of solidarity.
Has your application not been approved? Then we will explain in the letter why you cannot become a Dutch national.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Utrecht