Note: Do you have the nationality from the country in which you live? Then it is not possible to apply for Dutch citizenship.
There are different ways to become a Dutch citizen: automatically by birth or acknowledgement, or by means of naturalisation or option. Separate conditions apply for the option procedure and for the naturalisation procedure.
Do you think you meet the conditions for option or naturalisation? You then go to the Dutch embassy or consulate, the Cabinet of the Governor or the counters of the IND-unit Caribbean Netherlands. A staff member checks with you whether you indeed fulfil the conditions. The staff member also helps you submit the application.
If you want to apply for Dutch nationality, you will be dealing with different authorities:
Do you live abroad? You will be dealing with:
Do you live in Aruba, Curaçao or Sint Maarten? You will be dealing with:
Do you live in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius or Saba? You will be dealing with:
With a naturalisation application, a recommendation is drafted for the IND. That recommendation is sent to the IND, along with your application for naturalisation. The IND processes the application and makes a decision.
In case of an option procedure, it is the Dutch embassy or consulate, the Cabinet of the Governor or the counters of the IND-unit Caribbean Netherlands itself that handles the application and makes a decision. You will not have to deal with the IND in the Netherlands.