You are a Dutch citizen by law if your father was a Dutch citizen at the time of your birth. It does not matter whether you were born in the Netherlands or abroad.
If you are born from a Dutch mother and a foreign father you did not become a Dutch citizen by law. You can acquire the Dutch citizenship through the option procedure.
You are a Dutch citizen by law if you meet one of the following conditions. It does not matter whether you were born in the Netherlands or abroad.
Were you acknowledged by a Dutch citizen at or after the age of 7? Then the person acknowledging you must present DNA evidence that shows that he is your biological father. He must do so within 1 year after the acknowledgement.
Is the person acknowledging you unwilling or unable to show DNA evidence? He can then choose to make an option statement for you at the municipality. He first has had to care for and parent you for 3 years. At the time of the option statement, you must be younger than 18 years old.
For children who were acknowledged between 1 April 2003 and 1 March 2009, there is a separate regulation. Please note; this scheme also applies to persons who are adults now.
For more information about the option possibilities, please contact your municipality or Dutch representation.
A minor child gains Dutch citizenship by adoption abroad if the following conditions are met: