Becoming a Dutch Citizen

Becoming a Dutch Citizen by Option

You can check whether you meet the requirements on the Immigration and Naturalization Service website. https://ind.nl/nl/nederlanderschap/nederlander-worden-door-optie

Becoming a Dutch Citizen Through Naturalization

You can check whether you meet the requirements on the Immigration and Naturalization Service's website. https://ind.nl/nl/nederlanderschap/nederlander-worden-door-naturalisatie

Appointment

You can schedule an appointment online for an introductory consultation. You can only schedule an appointment if you live in Voorschoten and are registered here in the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP). During your first appointment, we will determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements and provide you with more information about the next steps.
Check the website of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) to see what you need to bring to the appointment.
Are you also applying for Dutch citizenship for your child who is 12 years of age or older? If so, your child must accompany you to the appointment.

If you are granted Dutch citizenship, you will receive an invitation from the municipality to attend an official gathering. This mandatory gathering is called the naturalization ceremony.  You will not become a Dutch citizen until you take the declaration of allegiance at the ceremony. By doing so, you pledge to respect the freedoms and rights that come with Dutch citizenship. Was your child 16 years of age or older at the time of application? If so, he or she is also required to attend the ceremony. Children under the age of 16 are not required to attend, but they are, of course, welcome to do so.

2026

Visit by appointment

Seven days after the notification has been issued to you, the Basic Register of Persons (BRP) will indicate that you are a Dutch citizen. You can then apply for a passport and/or a Dutch identity card. For more information, visit the Voorschoten Civil Affairs website | Voorschoten