Municipality of Oldenzaal: applying for Dutch citizenship by naturalisation

The conditions you must meet will be discussed with you personally during an appointment. This appointment can only be made by telephone on (0541) 58 81 11.

Option procedure

Via the option procedure you can indicate that you want to become a Dutch citizen by making a statement. This procedure is a quick and simple procedure. The option procedure applies to a number of groups. More information can be found on the website of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (hereinafter: IND).

 You must submit the option request to the municipality. This is only possible by appointment. The municipality will first inform you about: 

- the conditions you must meet 

- the documents you need to submit 

- costs 

- any consequences of adopting Dutch nationality (it is possible that you will lose your original nationality). 

If you meet all the conditions for an option, the mayor will confirm in writing that you have become a Dutch citizen. This happens during a naturalization ceremony. 

Naturalization procedure

You must submit a naturalization request to the municipality. This is only possible by appointment. The municipality hereby informs you about: 

- the conditions you must meet 

- the documents you need to hand over 

- costs 

- any consequences of adopting Dutch nationality (it is possible that you will lose your original nationality). 

The municipality then draws up an advice based on the information received. This will be sent to the IND together with the necessary documents. The IND will decide on your application within 1 year. If there is a positive decision, the municipality receives the Royal Decree for naturalization. The Royal Decree will be presented to you during a naturalization ceremony.

Naturalisation per person: € 945,-

Naturalisation of partners: € 1 206,-

Naturalisation of a child at the same time: € 139,-

Naturalisation for persons who have an asylum residence permit of indefinite duration: € 703,-

Naturalisation for partners who have an asylum residence permit for an indefinite period: € 965,-

• The municipality assesses whether you meet all conditions for naturalisation and provides the Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst – IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) with advice. The municipality sends your file to the IND.
• The IND checks whether you meet all conditions and takes a decision. The IND must take a decision within 12 months. If you have any questions about the application in the meantime, you can contact the IND.
• You officially become a Dutch citizen only after the naturalisation ceremony.
• You can apply for a Dutch travel document 1 week after the naturalisation ceremony.