Registering with the municipality in the Netherlands

Do you intend to live in the Netherlands for more than 4 months? Then you must register in the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen – BRP). You can do this at the municipality where you intend to live.

You must register in the BRP at the municipality where your intended address is located. There is no charge for this.

If you have no fixed address, you must register your postal address. For example, if you are a ship’s captain, or where the institution that you are in, such as a prison or psychiatric facility, is located.

Are you moving from one municipality to another municipality in the Netherlands? Then you must notify the new municipality of your change of address.

You must register with the municipality within 5 days of arriving in the Netherlands. You can do this at your municipality. Are your partner and/or children are coming with you to the Netherlands? They must come with you to the municipality.

Once you register in the BRP, you will receive a citizen service number (Burgerservicenummer – BSN). You will need this number for any contact with the Government of the Netherlands, such as when managing your taxes.

Exceptions: registering later or in a different way

There are some exceptions for registering with the municipality. In some situations you can register later than 5 days or in a different way. The exceptions are as follows:

You are going to be living in the Netherlands for less than 4 months. Then you can register in the BRP as a non-resident. For this you can use an address outside the Netherlands. You will still receive a BSN.
You do not have valid residence status, and to be allowed to stay in the Netherlands, you need a residence permit (verblijfsvergunning). If you are waiting for your residence permit to arrive, you do not have to register within 5 days.
You are unable to prove your identity. This may require additional investigation. Registering with the municipality can then wait until the outcome of this investigation. After that, you will have to register.

This is how it works for you

Your (future) place of residence falls under:

Municipality of Woerden

Here is some information from your municipality.

Moving to the Netherlands

You must inform us of your move to the Netherlands in person. You must make an appointment to do this.

Please choose an option:

'Vestiging uit Buitenland (niet eerder in NL)' if you have not lived in the Netherlands before
'Vestiging uit Buitenland (eerder in NL)' if you have lived in the Netherlands before

-A valid proof of identity (passport, ID card or residence permit). Note: no driver's license.
-A valid proof of identity for anyone moving with you.
Original documents from abroad (not older than 1 year) from yourself, your partner and your children. For example, a birth certificate, marriage certificate or divorce certificate.
-Your partner and children (if they move with you).
-A privileged document (if you have one).
-An original proof of deregistration (if you come from the Caribbean Netherlands).
-Your purchase contract or rental contract.
-A completed consent form from the main occupant and a copy of his or her valid proof of identity. Please note: this only applies if you are going to live with someone else.

Registration is free of charge. You must pay the costs of translating or legalising official documents that you may need to take with you.

The municipality will register you in the Basisregistratie Personen – BRP (Personal Records Database) during the actual appointment. You will receive a confirmation letter. The municipality will send your citizen service number (BSN) by post within 4 weeks.

More information