Legalizing and verifying foreign documents

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

Document legalization

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 at the municipality for verification of your document. To make an appointment, call 14 0181.

• the original foreign document

Price changes and typographical errors reserved.

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