Letter address

What is a letter address?

A mailing address is a temporary solution for people who do not currently have a residential address. There are various reasons for requesting a mailing address. For example, due to a temporary stay abroad, living in a nursing home, or homelessness. You can use the address of a family member or friend as your mailing address. If you cannot obtain permission from family or friends, you may, in certain situations, use the municipality’s mailing address.

A postal address is an address to which you have your mail sent. This allows you to receive important mail from the government and other organizations. 

When applying for a letter address, the municipality always looks to see if you do not have a residential address.

What is a residential address?

A residential address is the address where you live. Do you have more than one address? In that case, your residential address is the address where you spend the most nights over a six-month period. 

You can also live in a mobile home, a trailer, at a recreational park, or on a boat. However, it must have a permanent site or berth.

Details

• You can only be registered at 1 address in the Netherlands. This is a residential address or a letter address.
• The address you provide as a mailing address is a residential home. The address cannot be a business or a PO Box number.
• A postal address is usually for a short period of time.
• The primary resident or owner of the address is registered at that mailing address. This person must give consent when submitting the application
• Do you receive mail at the address of a friend, acquaintance or relative? Then that person must make sure you actually get your mail.

Please contact us if you would like to apply for a mailing address. We will first conduct a telephone screening to determine whether you may be eligible for a mailing address. If it turns out that you do not have a residential address, you will receive the necessary forms to submit your application. 

Once you have completed and returned the tax return forms, your return will be reviewed. You may be scheduled for a personal appointment if your situation is unclear and/or if you have any questions. 

Letter address due to residence in a nursing home or institution

When residing in a nursing home, prison, social shelter or other designated institution, a letter address may be chosen. The application can be made in writing. Permission is always needed from the letter-address provider (that's the person who receives mail for you).

Letter address at private individual with a residential address

You have no residential address and choose a letter address with a relative or acquaintance. This person, the letter address provider, gives you written permission and agrees to receive your writings. 

Requirements

• You do not have a residential address
• You are staying in the Netherlands

Letter address at the municipality

You choose a letter address with a letter-address provider. For example, with friends or family. Will you not get permission from family or friends for a letter address? Under certain Requirements , a letter address with the municipality is then possible.

• You do not have a residential address
• You are currently staying in Kerkrade or have lived in Kerkrade for an extended period in the recent past
• You are currently enrolled in a (municipal) assistance program or plan to enroll in one
• You pick up your mail at least once every two weeks

Use the municipality's letter address? 

Then you always need permission from the municipality. Always contact us for this.

When can I pick up my mail?

You should pick up your mail at the address Markt 33, 6461 EC Kerkrade. You can do this from Monday to Friday during opening hours of the City Office.

When picking up the mail, bring a valid ID. Otherwise, you will not receive the mail.

What mail is the congregation not accepting?

- Parcels
- Non-government mail
- Medicine and/or medical devices
- Registered mail

Letter address due to homelessness or distressing situation

Always contact the municipality. Together we will see what the best solution is for you.

Letter address and benefits or debts

Does someone have a letter address at your address? You are not responsible for this person's debts. This person is also not registered as a resident at the address. Because of this, there are temporarily no consequences for any benefit(s), rent allowance or health care allowance.