Applying for a Dutch nationality certificate if you live in China
If you are a dual Dutch national aged 18 or over living in China and want to apply for a Dutch nationality certificate to retain your Dutch nationality, you will need to provide a number of documents. The documents you need depend on your personal situation.
How you apply for the certificate depends on your situation:
- I have never held a Dutch passport or ID card: you cannot apply for a Dutch nationality certificate. You can apply for a Dutch passport or ID card.
- I have an expired Dutch passport or ID card and/or have previously been issued a Dutch nationality certificate: you must submit your application for a certificate in person. Only original documents are accepted. Find out below how to do that.
- I have a valid Dutch passport or ID card: You can apply for a Dutch nationality certificate online. Find out below how to do that.
Find out more about the situations in which you can apply for a Dutch nationality certificate.
Step 1: Create a personal checklist
When you apply for a Dutch nationality certificate, it is important that you provide the right documents. So you should first fill in the personal checklist. Then you’ll know what documents you need.
In Step 2, you will see whether there are additional requirements in the country you live in.
Generate your personal checklist by answering a maximum of 10 questions:
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- Your foreign documents may need to be legalised.
- If your document was not drawn up in Dutch, English, French or German, you should have it translated by a sworn translator.
- You may be asked to provide additional documents.
Step 2: Check the additional requirements/information
Your documents may need to meet additional requirements in a given country. Below you can find out about the requirements for China.
Proof of legal residence
You must provide proof of legal residence in the country where you live. In China, you can do this by providing one of the following documents:
- a valid visa and supporting documents;
- a valid residence permit;
if you also hold the Chinese nationality: a valid Chinese passport or ID card.
Birth certificates issued by Chinese hospitals are valid
Hospital-issued birth certificates are not generally accepted. Medical birth certificates issued in China are an exception to this rule. Children born in China after 1996 are issued with such a certificate by the hospital or midwife. In China, the certificate serves as valid proof of birth and you can use it when applying for a passport. You must have the certificate legalised and translated.
Legalisation
If, according to your personal checklist (see step 1), you need to get a document legalised, and you have a birth certificate, marriage certificate or other document issued by a Chinese authority, you must have the document legalised with an apostille.
Step 3: Apply for a certificate
Find out below how to submit your application.
If you have never held a Dutch passport or ID card, you cannot apply for a Dutch nationality certificate. This also applies to children who do not yet have a Dutch passport or ID card.*
Apply for a passport or identity card
* You cannot use a Dutch nationality certificate for travel or to prove your identity. The certificate only establishes that the holder was a Dutch national on the day that it was issued.
If your Dutch passport or ID card has expired, we will need to confirm your identity and personal details. This applies even if you have a previously issued Dutch nationality certificate. That means you need to submit your application in person at the Dutch embassy in Bejing or the consulate - general in Guangzhou or Shanghai.
Make an appointment via the online appointment system
Make sure you have originals of all the documents that you need for your application, and an additional photocopy of each one.
Points to note
- Your personal checklist will show you which original documents you need to bring with you.
- Your foreign documents may need to be legalised.
- Make sure you have all the documents you need for your application. If you don’t, your application may be delayed.
The embassy or consulate- general will confirm your identity and check your completed application form, your documents and your personal details. After checking your documents, the embassy or consulate - general will forward your application to the Consular Service Organisation (CSO) in The Hague. CSO will assess and process your application.
Send scanned copies (PDF) of all the required documents to: verklaringnederlanderschap@247bz.nl
If the attachments exceed the maximum size for one email, divide the documents over 2 or more emails.
Step 4: How much will it cost?
A Dutch nationality certificate costs €30.
If your application is complete, CSO will email you informing you how to pay. Once your payment has been received, CSO will continue processing your application.
Step 5: Receiving the certificate
If your application is complete, it will take an average of 4 weeks to process. If you are asked to send additional documents, processing may take up to 12 weeks.
You will receive the certificate digitally by email.
How long is a Dutch nationality certificate valid for?
The validity period of a Dutch nationality certificate is not defined by law. The certificate simply shows that you held Dutch nationality on the date it was issued.
What language will the certificate be issued in?
Dutch nationality certificates are issued in Dutch only.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.