Applying for a Dutch passport or identity card if you live in China
If you want to apply for a Dutch passport or ID card and you live in China, follow this step-by-step plan.
Step 1: Create your personal checklist
Creating a personal checklist will show you what documents you need in order to apply for a passport or ID card. Create a separate checklist for each application. This means one for you and one for your child, for instance.
JavaScript is disabled in your browser. The filtertool can therefore not be displayed. Enable JavaScript and open this page again. You will then see the filtertool.
When you have created your checklist, go to step 2.
Step 2: Check the additional requirements
Your personal checklist (see step 1) will show you that you also need documents from China in order to apply for a Dutch passport or ID card. You can also see whether your documents need to be legalised and translated.
You must prove that you are legally resident 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 have Chinese nationality: a valid Chinese passport or ID card.
If you are applying for a Dutch passport or ID card for your child for the first time, use their birth certificate as proof of legal residence. If your child was born in China, you can use their Medical Birth Certificate (MBC) for this purpose. This document is issued by the hospital or midwife.
If, according to your personal checklist (step 1), you need to provide a birth certificate, and you were born in China after 1996, you can provide your Medical Birth Certificate (MBC). This document is issued by the hospital or midwife. You must have the document legalised and translated.
Official signature on the identity document required
Does your personal checklist (step 1) say you need your parents’ consent? And is one of your parents not able to come to the appointment? As stated in your checklist, in addition to the declaration of consent, you must bring a photocopy of the valid identity document of the absent parent. The valid identity document must contain an official signature. A Chinese ID card is not sufficient because it does not contain a signature.
Identity document without an official signature?
Does the absent parent's identity document not contain an official signature? For example, because the parent only has a Chinese ID card or an old generation Chinese passport without a signature? Then we recommend that the parent still comes to the appointment. Should the parent be unable to come to the appointment, a legalised declaration of consent drawn up at a local notary's office must be presented. The notary will establish the identity and legalise the signature. This document should then be legalised and presented with the passport application along with the completed declaration of consent.
If you have a birth certificate or marriage certificate from China, you must have it legalised. Find out more about having documents from China legalised.
If you have documents from another country, find out if you need to have them legalised.
You can submit documents written in Dutch, English, German or French. If you have documents in Mandarin you should have them translated by a sworn translator.
Step 3: Make an appointment
Once you have gathered all of the documents on your checklist (step 1) and ensured they meet all the required conditions (step 2), you can make an appointment in China or in the Netherlands. If you are applying for a passport and an ID card, make a separate appointment for each application.
Bring all the documents on your checklist with you to your appointment. Print out the checklist and bring it with you. We cannot help you if any of these documents are missing:
- Application form for passport or ID card (completed, printed and signed)
- Declaration of consent from parent / guardian for minor applicant(s). Are you applying for a passport for your child under 18? Or an ID card for your child under the age of 12? And are you or the other parent unable to attend the appointment? Then the absent parent must complete and sign the declaration of consent. And provide a copy of their passport or ID card. The copy must be dated and signed by the absent parent.
- Passport or ID card. Bring all your Dutch and/or foreign passports and ID cards, including any that have expired.
- Make an appointment online with the embassy in Beijing
- Make an appointment online with the consulate-general in Shanghai
- Make an appointment online with the consulate-general in Guangzhou
Changing or cancelling your appointment
After making an appointment it will be confirmed by email. The email will contain a link you can use to change or cancel your appointment.
You can also submit your passport or ID card application at a border municipality in the Netherlands or at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. If you wish to do this, you can skip steps 4 and 5
Step 4: Go to your appointment
You must submit your passport or ID card application in person. Even applicants under 18 must appear in person.
Bring all the documents on your personal checklist. Print out the checklist and bring it with you.
If you needed to have documents legalised and/or translated, bring the legalised and translated versions with you as well.
The overview of consular fees in China tells you how much you will have to pay for a passport or ID card and which payment methods are accepted.
No. If you need your current passport or ID card while your application is being processed, you can retain it for the time being.
When do I have to hand in my old passport or ID card?
If you are collecting your new passport or ID card in person, you should hand in your old one when you come to collect it.
If you are having your passport or ID card sent to you, you will need to first send your old one to the embassy or consulate-general. Only then will your new passport or ID card be sent to you. This means that there will be a period when you have no passport or ID card. If you want your old passport or ID card back, inform the embassy or consulate-general.
I have a residence permit or visa in my old passport, what should I do?
If your passport contains visas or a residence permit and you want to keep those pages intact, inform staff of this when you submit your old passport.
Step 5: Collect your passport or ID card or have it sent to you
You will receive an e-mail when your new passport or ID card is ready. You must collect your new document within 3 months or have it sent to you. After that, it will be destroyed.
On the page How long is the application process for a Dutch passport or ID card abroad you can read more about the processing time of a passport or ID card.
Beijing
You can collect your new passport or ID card from the embassy in Beijing from Monday to Friday at the following times:
- 14:00 – 16:00
Please make an appointment to collect your paspport or ID-card
Shanghai
You can collect your new passport or ID card from the consulate-general in Shanghai from Monday to Friday at the following times:
- 09:30 – 11:30
You do not need to make an appointment but first check which days our offices are closed.
Guangzhou
You can collect your new passport or ID card from the consulate-general in Guangzhou from Monday to Friday at the following time:
- 10:30 - 12:00
Please send an e-mail to gnz-ca@minbuza.nl to make an appointment. Check which days our offices are closed.
You can have your new passport sent to you. To do this, you should provide your postal address in Chinese characters when you submit your application. You will need to pay the postage costs to the courier when you receive your new passport.
It is normally not possible to have your new ID card sent to you. But double check this when you submit your application.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.