Registration of foreign documents

Marriage or registered partnership outside the Netherlands

Dutch law requires (article 2.9 paragraph 1 of the Dutch BRP Act) you to fill in an additional statement "Registration marriage/partnership outside the Netherlands" if you wish to register your marriage abroad and one of the following situations apply to you:

• you or your partner does not have the Dutch nationality
• you or your partner does not have a permanent residence permit
• you or your partner are not EU citizens

The additional statement (article 2.9 paragraph 1 of the Dutch BRP Act) is not required if you married more than 10 years ago, or if your marriage has now ended.

Original documents

An original document is:

• the original foreign document
• drawn up in the country where the life event took place
• drawn up by a competent authority

If the original document is not in Dutch, English, French or German, it must be translated by a sworn translator in the Netherlands.

Depending on which country the document is from, it must meet certain requirements. These requirements for each country are on the website of the Netherlands worldwide. 
Registration usually takes 4 weeks but longer if an investigation is required. 

• your valid ID card or passport
• a copy of a valid identity card from your partner
• the original foreign document (including legalisation stamps if needed)
• if applicable, the Statement under article 2.9 paragraph 1 of the Dutch BRP Act
• if applicable, the certified translation of the original document in Dutch, English, French or German

Registration of your life event in your council’s registration database (BRP) is free of charge. You may be charged if an investigation or additional documents are required but you will be informed about this beforehand.