Naturalisation

​You must submit the application for naturalisation in the municipality where you live. You also fill out a form stating that you will make the statement of allegiance. You will make this statement during the naturalisation ceremony. If you must renounce your current nationality, you then sign a declaration for this.

Payment

The naturalisation procedure costs money. You pay this when you submit the application for naturalisation. You must also pay for children who are included with your application. Is your application rejected or are you withdrawing your application? You will not get any money back.

Establish or change your name

It may be possible that your name needs to be established. Establishing your name is required if you do not have a last name or or a first name. For example, if you have one name or multiple names without a distinction between the last name and first names.

In addition, you yourself can ask to have your last name changed. This is only possible if it is important for the civic integration process. For example:

• Your name is difficult to pronounce for Dutch people.
• You have, because of your marriage, been given your husband's last name.  And you want to change this name to your maiden name.

Minor children

Your child can only apply for Dutch citizenship together with you. You then request the naturalisation of your child in your own application for naturalisation. You will receive a notification stating that your child will also receive Dutch nationality.

A child under 16 years of age must live in the Netherlands He must also have a valid residence permit immediately before the application. This is a permanent residence permit or a temporary residence permit with a non-temporary purpose of stay. The residence permit is still valid at the time of the naturalisation ceremony.

A child of 16 or 17 years old must, immediately before to the application, have been living uninterruptedly in the Netherlands for at least 3 years with a valid residence permit. This is a permanent residence permit or a temporary residence permit with a non-temporary purpose of stay. The residence permit is still valid at the time of the naturalisation ceremony. The child must be present for the application. He must also indicate that he agrees with the application.

Is your child a minor at the time of the application, but an adult  at the time of the decision? In that case, he cannot become naturalised together with you. Your child must then submit a new application for naturalisation. He may submit a new application if he has lived for an uninterrupted period of at least 3 years in the Netherlands with a valid residence permit. This is a permanent residence permit or a temporary residence permit with a non-temporary purpose of stay.

Was your child, for some reason, not naturalised together with you? Then he can still submit an application for naturalisation. Your child must, immediately before to the application, have been living uninterruptedly in the Netherlands for at least 3 years with a valid residence permit.  This is a permanent residence permit or a temporary residence permit with a non-temporary purpose of stay.

Children up to 18 years old can keep their current nationality if one or both parent(s) become Dutch citizen at the same time, unless the laws of the country of the current nationality do not allow this.

​The municipality looks at whether you meet all the conditions for naturalisation and gives a recommendation to the IND. The municipality sends your file to the IND.

The IND checks whether you meet all the conditions required and makes a decision. The IND has to make a decision within a period of 12 months.

• Negative decision

  If you do not meet the conditions, you will not be able to become a Dutch citizen. This decision is given in a letter. In this formal decision, the IND explains why you cannot become a Dutch citizen. You can apply for a review of this decision.

• Positive decision

  If you meet all the conditions, you get a letter from the IND. The letter states that a proposal to grant Dutch citizenship has been presented to the King. Following that, you get an invitation from the municipality to attend the naturalisation ceremony.

​Municipalities organise naturalisation ceremonies. During these gatherings the meaning of becoming a Dutch citizen is highlighted.

You are obligated to go to the ceremony. Was your child, when submitting the application for naturalisation, 16 years or older? Then he is also obligated to go to the ceremony. If your child is under the age of 16, he is not obligated to attend the naturalisation ceremony, but he is certainly allowed to be there.

You will not become a Dutch citizen until you go to the ceremony and make the declaration of solidarity. You agree that the laws of the Kingdom of the Netherlands also apply to you. The declaration of solidarity must be done in person. If you do not make the declaration of solidarity, you cannot become a Dutch citizen.

At the ceremony, the naturalisation decision will also be presented, stating that you have become a Dutch citizen.

If you cannot attend the first ceremony, you will get an invitation for a next ceremony. You must attend the ceremony within 1 year following the decision. If you fail to do so, you will not receive Dutch nationality. After 1 year, you will need to submit a new application to become a Dutch citizen.