Applying for a Dutch passport or identity card if you live in Finland
If you want to apply for a Dutch passport or ID card and you live in Finland, follow this step-by-step plan.
Step 1: Create your personal checklist
Creating a personal checklist will show you what documents you need in order to apply for a passport or ID card. Create a separate checklist for each application. This means one for you and one for your child, for instance.
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When you have created your checklist, go to step 2.
Step 2: Check the additional requirements
Your personal checklist (see step 1) will show you that you also need documents from Finland in order to apply for a Dutch passport or ID card. You can also see whether your documents need to be legalised and translated.
You must prove that you are legally resident in Finland. You can do this by providing one of the following documents:
- a recent English-language extract from the population information system (virkatodistus) stating your nationality
- If you are under 18 or if you are applying for an extract for someone under 18, the extract must also bear the parents’ or guardians’ details.
- You can apply for the extract at any service location of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (previously Maistraatti). You will need to pay a fee. All the service locations can be found on DVV.fi.
- You can also apply for the extract by emailing vtj-todistus@dvv.fi or by calling the Finnish local number 029 55 36 230. Once again, you will need to pay a fee.
- if you are over the age of 18: an extract known as a summary of personal data.
- You can apply for the extract free of charge on Suomi.fi. Take screenshots of the details listed under basic information, address details and personal relationships (where relevant) and add these to your application.
- If you are applying for a Dutch passport or ID card for your child for the first time, use their birth certificate as proof of legal residence. You can apply for this on Suomi.fi.
If you live in Estonia, you can prove legal residence by providing one of the following documents:
- an English-language extract from the Estonian population register
- if you also have Estonian nationality: a valid Estonian passport or ID card. Citizenship must be given as ‘NLD’. The place of birth is normally given as ‘Holland/NLD’.
- if you are applying for a Dutch passport or ID card for your child for the first time, use their birth certificate as proof of legal residence.
If you have a birth certificate or marriage certificate from Finland, you do not need to have it legalised. You may need to have it translated, however.
If you have other documents from Finland or documents from another country, find out if you need to have them legalised.
You can submit documents written in Dutch, English, German or French. If you have documents in Finnish, request a multilingual standard form from the authority that issued your document. You do not need to have this translated. You can find more information on multilingual standard forms on the website of the European Union.
If you cannot get a multilingual standard form, you should have the documents translated by a sworn translator.
Step 3: Make an appointment
Once you know which documents you need, you can make an appointment in Finland or the Netherlands. Make a separate appointment for every application you wish to submit.
Make an appointment online with the embassy in Helsinki
Changing or cancelling your appointment
After making an appointment it will be confirmed by email. The email will contain a link you can use to change or cancel your appointment.
You can also submit your passport or ID card application at a border municipality in the Netherlands or at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. If you wish to do this, you can skip steps 4 and 5
Step 4: Go to your appointment
You must submit your passport or ID card application in person. Even applicants under 18 must appear in person.
Bring all the documents on your personal checklist. For every document the checklist will show you whether you need to provide the original and/or a photocopy.
If you needed to have documents legalised and/or translated, bring the legalised and translated versions with you as well.
The overview of consular fees in Finland tells you how much you will have to pay for a passport or ID card and which payment methods are accepted.
Applying for a passport or ID card at a Dutch border municipality or at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport will cost you less.
No. If you need your current passport or ID card while your application is being processed, you can retain it for the time being.
When do I have to hand in my old passport or ID card?
If you are collecting your new passport or ID card in person, you should hand in your old one when you come to collect it.
If you are having your passport or ID card sent to you, you will need to first send your old one to the embassy or consulate-general. Only then will your new passport or ID card be sent to you. This means that there will be a period when you have no passport or ID card. If you want your old passport or ID card back, inform the embassy or consulate-general.
I have a residence permit or visa in my old passport, what should I do?
If your passport contains visas or a residence permit and you want to keep those pages intact, inform staff of this when you submit your old passport.
After you submit your application you will receive a track & trace code to track the status of your application. You will receive an email when your new passport or ID card is ready.
Step 5: Collect your passport or ID card or have it sent to you
It usually takes 4 weeks until your passport or ID card is ready. You will be contacted if there are documents missing from your application. In this case, it will take longer than 4 weeks until your passport or ID card is ready. You must collect your new passport or ID card within three months; after three months it will be destroyed.
You can collect your new passport or ID card from the embassy in Helsinki. Make an appointment online to collect your passport or ID card.
First check which days our offices will be closed.
You can have your new passport sent to you by registered post (Posti). You will need to pay the postage costs yourself.
It is normally not possible to have your new ID card sent to you. But double check this when you submit your application.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.