Municipality of Sint-Michielsgestel: applying for Dutch citizenship by naturalisation

1. Choose whether you want to become a Dutch citizen by option or by naturalisation.
2. Start the investigation and apply for Dutch citizenship.
3. We will inform you about your options within 4 weeks.
4. Depending on your procedure, you will hear within 3 months or within 1 year whether you will become a Dutch citizen.

If your application for Dutch citizenship is approved

The municipality of Sint-Michielsgestel will contact you. You will receive an invitation to attend a compulsory ceremony for people who are becoming citizens of the Netherlands. Children under the age of 16 are not obliged to attend the naturalization ceremony. This is allowed. During this ceremony you will make the declaration of solidarity and you will officially become a citizen of the Netherlands. Now you can apply for a Dutch passport or identity card.

You pay a fee for this service. For more information, contact the municipality of Sint-Michielsgestel.

• 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.