Do you want to become a Dutch citizen? And does the law of the country of your nationality allow you to renounce that nationality? Then you should be willing to renounce the nationality you now have. But there are situations where you do not have to renounce your nationality.
Some exemptions for renunciation of nationality are checked by the municipality and the IND. You do not have to sign a declaration that you are willing to renounce your nationality. This applies in the following situations:
You are obliged to renounce your nationality. With the naturalisation request you sign a declaration that you are willing to renounce your nationality. You thereby indicate that you invoke a ground for exemption. When submitting the naturalisation application, you have to prove yourself with documents that show the exemption applies to you. The IND will assess if the exemption indeed applies to you.
In the following situations you may be exempted from renouncing your nationality:
Would you like more information? Please contact the IND.
Do you not automatically lose your nationality? Does the law of the country of your nationality allow you to renounce that nationality? And does none of the situations where renouncing your nationality is not required apply to you? Then you yourself have to renounce your nationality.
For most countries, you will not be able to give up your original nationality until you already have Dutch citizenship. Therefore, upon submitting your application for naturalisation you sign a declaration. This declaration states that you are willing to renounce the nationality you now have.
After having become a Dutch citizen, you renounce the nationality you now have. This is called a renunciation procedure. You start this procedure with the authorities of the country of that nationality. It is often possible to do this at the consulate or embassy of that country in the Netherlands.
After the renunciation procedure, you will receive an official declaration of renunciation of your nationality. You send this declaration to the IND.
Do you have to renounce your nationality? And do you not do this? Then the IND may revoke your Dutch citizenship.