Dutch citizen by birth or acknowledgement

​Were you born before 1 January 1985?

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.

Were you born after 31 December 1984?

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.

• On the day of your birth your mother was a Dutch citizen.
• On the day of your birth your father was a Dutch citizen and at that time he was married to your non-Dutch mother.
• On the day of your birth your father was a Dutch citizen and at that time he was not married to your non-Dutch mother. Your father acknowledged you before your birth.
• Your father is a Dutch citizen and after 1 March 2009 he acknowledged you after your birth, but before your 7th birthday.

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.

• Your parents have their main residence in the Netherlands. Your father or mother (or both) themselves were also born from parents who, at the time of his or her birth, had their main residence in the Netherlands.

Adoption

A minor child gains Dutch citizenship by adoption abroad if the following conditions are met:

• One of the parents is a Dutch citizen.
• The adoption has been realised in accordance with the Hague Adoption Convention or Book 10 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW).
• The family ties with the original parents are fully broken.