Applying for a Dutch nationality certificate if you live in Japan
If you are a Dutch national living in Japan, you can apply for a Dutch nationality certificate. You must provide a number of documents with your application. 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 can apply for a Dutch nationality certificate but you must submit your application by registered post. 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.
A Dutch nationality certificate is only issued in Dutch.
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 Japan.
Proof of legal residence
You must provide proof of legal residence in the country where you live. In Japan, you can do this by providing one of the following documents:
- a valid residence permit (zairyu card)
- a valid visa (sticker or stamp in your passport)
if you also hold the Japanese nationality: a valid Japanese passport or ID card
First-time application
If, according to your personal checklist (step 1), you need to get a document legalised, and if your birth certificate or marriage certificate was issued in Japan, 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 and/or you have a previously issued Dutch nationality certificate, you cannot submit your application by email. Send your application with all the required documents (copies or in some cases originals) by registered post to the consular section of the Dutch embassy or Dutch consulate-general in your country of residence. Or to the nearest Dutch embassy or consulate-general if there is none in your country of residence.
Points to note
- Create a personal checklist to find out what original documents you must submit with your application. It’s important that you include the completed checklist with your application.
- Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your application so that the embassy or consulate-general can return the original documents to you.
- Any foreign documents may need to be legalised.
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.