Apply for Dutch citizenship (naturalisation)

Do you live in The Hague and would you like to obtain Dutch citizenship (nationality)? Then you can apply for naturalisation at the municipality.

Conditions

• You are 18 years or older.
• You live in The Hague and are registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP).
• Your birth certificate is registered in the BRP. For information on the language requirements for the certificates, go to: Translating foreign documents.
• If it is not possible for you to get a passport and/or birth certificate and you did not get an exemption from this obligation, you could try to prove a lack of documentary evidence.
• You have passed the Civic Integration Examination at language level A-2. For more information go to the website of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
• You have a valid residence permit.
• You pose no danger to the public order.
• You are not married to 2 people (bigamy).

In addition, 1 of the following situations applies to you:

• You have been living in the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao or Sint Maarten for an uninterrupted period of 5 years or longer. There are a few exceptions to this rule. Your residence permit must also be valid during the naturalisation procedure.
• You have been married to (or are a registered partner of) a Dutch citizen for 3 years. You have been living together with your husband/wife/registered partner during this period of at least 3 years (in the Netherlands or abroad).
• You have been living together with a Dutch citizen in the Netherlands for an uninterrupted period of 3 years.
• You used to have Dutch citizenship (former Dutch citizen).

In some cases, you could be eligible for a shorter application procedure. More information can be found under Option, applying for Dutch citizenship.

Co-naturalising children under the age of 18

Children 15 years old or younger can be naturalised together with their parents. The following conditions apply:

• The children are living in the Netherlands when the application is submitted.
• Their main residence is in the Netherlands.
• They must be permitted to stay in the Netherlands permanently.
• Children 16 and 17 years old must have been living in the Netherlands for an uninterrupted period of at least 3 years prior to the application.
• If 1 of the parents submits the naturalisation application, the other parent must give his/her opinion in writing. 

Children 12 years and older must be present during the application.

Naturalisation for your children

Children under the age of 18 years who did not become naturalised together with their parents can still gain Dutch citizenship at the request of their parents. The following conditions then apply:

• The children must have had their main residence in the Netherlands for an uninterrupted period of at least 3 years prior to the application.
• They must be permitted to stay in the Netherlands permanently.
• The Dutch parent must submit the application for naturalisation. The other parent must provide written consent.
• Children 16 and 17 years old must agree to the request.

The same costs apply to these children as for an adult naturalisation.

Needed for the appointment

Take the following to the naturalisation appointment:

• valid passport (from the country of origin)
• valid residence permit (for the Netherlands) 
• Civic Integration Examination diploma at language level A-2, or possibly other Dutch high school diplomas (including diplomas from Belgium and Suriname).

Fees

You pay the fees when you apply for naturalisation. You can only pay this amount with a bank card. You will not get any money back if the request is denied.

How long does it take?

• The municipality will examine whether you meet all of the conditions for naturalisation and will advise the IND. The municipality will forward your file to the IND.
• The IND will check whether you meet all of the conditions and will take a decision. The IND is obliged to take a decision within 12 months. If you have questions about the application in the meantime, you can contact the IND.
• You will not officially be a Dutch citizen until after the naturalisation ceremony.
• A week after the naturalisation ceremony you will be able to apply for a Dutch travel document at City Hall Spui or the Leyweg City Office. You can turn in your residence permit at the IND counter or at the Aliens Police.

Watch the film below on how you can apply for Dutch citizenship:

Apply

Do you meet all the conditions?

• Then you can make an appointment online for your naturalisation application at the Department of Public Service, Unit Registratie, afdeling Naturalisatie en Optie (at City Hall Spui).

Make an appointment

• Or contact the municipality by phone.

Also see

• Naturalisation process briefly explained

• Apply for Dutch citizenship through an option procedure
• Register your nationality in the BRP