Legalizing and verifying foreign documents

What is it?

The municipality sometimes asks you to show original documents. For example:

  • if you wish to register
  • want to acknowledge a child or
  • report your marriage or divorce

When it comes to foreign documents, the municipality wants to be sure that your foreign documents are genuine and reliable. Health therefore for legalization or verification of your document.

  • Legalization means having it made official that your document is genuine. You do this in the country where your document was prepared.
  • Verification means having the contents of your document verified as reliable. You arrange this with the municipality.

How does it work?

You can only have original documents legalized or verified. These are often the following documents:

  • will
  • birth certificate
  • marriage certificate
  • divorce certificate
  • death certificate
  • judicial decision

What to do.

How you legalize your document depends on the country where your document was prepared. If the Netherlands has a treaty on legalization with that country, legalization is easier.

The Netherlands does have a treaty with the country of your document:

  • Go to the Dutch embassy or consulate in the country where your document was prepared. They will legalize your document.
  • Is the country a member of the Apostille Convention? Then all you need is an apostille stamp on your document. You can apply for the apostille stamp from an official authority in the country where your document was created. Usually this is the Minister of Security and Justice or the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Netherlands does not have a treaty with the country of your document:

  • First, have your document legalized in the country where your document was prepared. Usually this can be done at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in that country. Then go to the Dutch embassy or consulate in that country. They will legalize your document one more time.

Document verification

Ask the municipality to verify your document. The municipality will then send your document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry will then have the contents of your document verified.

What do I need?

  • the original foreign document

How long does it take?

Legalization or verification of documents can take several months. It depends on the local authority that needs to legalize or verify the documents.

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