Dutch citizenship
Nationality means being a citizen of a State. The importance of this goes beyond having a passport. Someone’s nationality is part of their identity. There are three ways in which to acquire Dutch nationality: by being born to a Dutch mother or father, via naturalisation or by option.
In order to become Dutch via naturalisation applicants must have resided legally in the Netherlands for a minimum of 5 consecutive years, passed the civic integration examination, have no criminal record and be prepared to renounce their original nationality.
Dutch nationality can also be acquired by option. This procedure is faster and costs less than the naturalisation procedure. A civic integration examination is not required. This option procedure is intended for individuals who are judged to have a special bond to the Netherlands.
The experts at Everaert Advocaten are at your disposal for questions regarding dual nationality, naturalisation, the option procedure or the civic integration examination. Needless to say they can also assist in the application process and represent you during objection appeal and/or confirmation procedures.
For more information contact our lawyers Hermie de Voer, Susanne Mooij, Bram van Melle or Vera Kidjan.
devoer@everaert.nl
mooij@everaert.nl
vanmelle@everaert.nl
kidjan@everaert.nl
Adoption and Dutch Nationality
Until October 1, 1998, Dutch passports were issued only to children who were adopted in the Netherlands, the Dutch Antilles or Aruba [1]. The possibilities were extended when The Hague Adoption Convention of 1993 came into force [2].
From October 1, 1998, minor children who were adopted outside of the Netherlands in accordance with this Convention would be themselves, legally Dutch if at least one of the adoptive parents is Dutch. This applies only to 'strong' adoptions. [3]
Conflict Of Laws
With the implementation of the Conflict of Laws on Adoption Act, from January 1, 2001, minor –aged adopted children could also obtain Dutch nationality in recognized foreign adoptions, in which The Hague Adoption Convention 1993 is not applicable, if one or more of the adoptive parents is Dutch and it is considered to be a 'strong' foreign adoption. Minor-aged children, who live outside of the Netherlands together with their adoptive parents, during the adoption application and decision process, may automatically become Dutch citizens if the foreign adoption decision is legally recognized [4]. Minor-aged children, who are adopted outside of the Netherlands by at least one Dutch parent in possession of principle consent, can become Dutch as soon as the Dutch court recognizes the foreign adoption [5].