Legalization and verification of documents

The Dutch authorities are unfortunately often confronted with falsified documents. As a consequence of this, they have become very strict in demanding certification that the document is genuine and says what you claim it says.

Legalization

As a rule, the signature or seal placed on a birth certificate, marriage certificate or certificate of not being married must be checked by two relevant authorities and declared to be genuine. This is known as 'legalization'. The two relevant authorities are:

§	The body to which the body that issued the certificate is accountable. Usually this will be the ministry of foreign affairs in the country where the certificate was issued;

§	The Dutch embassy or diplomatic representative in the country where the certificate was issued.

Verification

In case of doubt, the Dutch authorities could require that a certificate which is legalized, is also 'verified'. Verified means that the Dutch Embassy in the country in question must examine the content of the document and declare it valid.

Apostille

Some birth certificates, marriage certificates and certificates of not being married do not need to be legalized, but a so-called 'apostille'-stamp will be enough. This means that a central authority checks the signature of the person who signed the document and declares it do be genuine. The apostille-stamp is proof of this.

More information

For more information about legalization, verification, and apostille stamps please check the website of the Dutch ministry of Foreign Affairs or contact the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country (or the country where you legally reside).

Translation

If one of your certificates is not written in Dutch, English, French or German, a translation into one of the above mentioned languages is needed; the translation needs to be done by a sworn translator.