NetherlandsWorldwide

Legalisation of documents from Barbados for use in the Netherlands

To use a document from Barbados in the Netherlands, you must have it legalised with an apostille by the Barbadian authorities. This is a simplified form of legalisation which allows you to use your documents in the Netherlands.

Attention: If you want to use a Dutch document in Barbados, see Legalisation of Dutch documents for use abroad.

Good to know

  • Documents in English do not have to be translated for use in the Netherlands. 
  • Your document must be original and complete. If it refers to other documents or annexes, these must be included.

Where can you have your documents legalised?

You can get an apostille from the Barbadian authorities. See the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) website for contact details.

Once your document has been legalised it is fit for use in the Netherlands.

It is then also fit for use in Aruba, Curaçao, St Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and St Eustatius.

Don’t have the document you need?

Find out below where to obtain a document that you need but do not yet have.

You can get civil status records from the Registrar of the Supreme Court in St Michael, Barbados.

You can request official copies of:

  • birth certificates 
  • marriage certificates
  • divorce certificates 
  • death certificates

You can get a certificate of unmarried status from the Barbadian population register.

If you need another type of document, ask the local authorities where you can get this document.

Help with applying for documents and having them legalised

The Consular Service Centre can assist Dutch nationals with obtaining documents and having them legalised in Barbados.

After legalisation

Verification of your document in the Netherlands

Legalisation does not prove the authenticity of a document or the truthfulness of its content. A municipality in the Netherlands, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) or another authority may decide to verify these things. Legalisation of your document simply means that your document bears the correct signature.

How recently must your document have been issued or legalised

Organisations have different requirements for how recently your document must have been issued and legalised. For more information, contact the organisation in the Netherlands requesting the document.

Contact

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.