Collecting documents for family reunification and having them translated

You must also prove that you have a family relationship with your family members. This can be done with the following documents:

For your spouse or partner:

• A copy of the legal marriage certificate or a copy of another proof (family record) showing marriage.

• A copy of the religious/traditional marriage certificate or a copy of another proof (family record) showing this marriage.

• A copy of evidence showing that the religious/traditional marriage is registered in your partner's country of origin (this can only be done if this registration is customary in the country in which you are married).

• A copy of your certificate of registered partnership. This must have been issued by the government of the country where your partnership is registered.

• A copy of a proof showing your relationship.

• A fully completed attachment 'Vragenlijst (huwelijks)partner nareis

  ' (questionnaire for post-travel (married) partner)

For your parent(s):

• A copy of your birth certificate or a copy of another proof showing the family relationship with your parent(s). For example, a family record book.

• A copy of proof showing who your

  guardian
  in the Netherlands is (for example, your contact at Nidos).

• A fully completed and signed attachment 'Aanvraag DNA-onderzoek bij gezinshereniging

  ' (application for DNA testing for family reunification).

For your biological child(ren):

• A copy of your child's birth certificate or a copy of other proof showing your family relationship with your child.

• A fully completed attachment 'Aanvraag DNA-onderzoek bij gezinshereniging

  ' (application for DNA testing for family reunification).

• Is your biological child older than 15? Then also send the fully completed attachment 'Verklaring burgerlijke staat

  ' (declaration of marital status) signed by the child.

• Does the other parent of your biological child stay behind abroad? Then he or she must give permission for your child to travel to the Netherlands. This requires:

  • A copy of a proof showing the identity of the remaining parent. This proof must also include a signature of the parent stayhing behind.

  • A copy of proof showing the family relationship between your child and the parent staying behind.

  • An fully completed attachment 'Verklaring van toestemming van de achterblijvende ouder'

    (declaration of consent of the parent staying behind) signed by the parent staying behind or a fully completed attachment 'Verklaring ontbreken Verklaring van toestemming van de achterblijvende ouder'
    (declaration missing: declaration of consent of the parent staying behind) signed by you.

For your foster child(ren) or biological child(ren) of your (married) partner:

• A copy of the child's birth certificate or a copy of other proof showing the family relationship between the child and the child's biological parents.

• For foster children, a copy of proof showing the identity of your foster child's biological parents.

• For foster children, a copy of proof showing the family relationship between you and your foster child.

• A fully completed and signed attachment 'Aanvraag DNA-onderzoek bij gezinshereniging

  ' (application for DNA testing for family reunification).

• A fully completed attachment 'Vragenlijst gezinsband kind

  ' (questionnaire on family relationship with child).

• Is the child older than 15? Then also send the fully completed attachment 'Verklaring burgerlijke staat

  ' (declaration of marital status) signed by the child.

• The other parent of your partner's biological child stays behind abroad. Therefore, he or she must give permission for the child to travel to the Netherlands. This requires:

  • A copy of a proof showing the identity of the remaining parent. This proof must include a signature of the parent stayhing behind.

  • A copy of proof showing the family relationship between the child and the parent staying behind.

  • An fully completed attachment 'Verklaring van toestemming van de achterblijvende ouder'

    (declaration of consent of the parent staying behind) signed by the parent staying behind or a fully completed attachment 'Verklaring ontbreken Verklaring van toestemming van de achterblijvende ouder'
    (declaration missing: declaration of consent of the parent staying behind) signed by you.

• Are your foster child's biological parents deceased? If so, please include:

  • A copy of the death certificates of your foster child's biological parents.

  • A copy of proof showing that you are the guardian of your foster child.

You can also find information about the (copies of) documents you must send with your application on the IND website.

Please note. You send a copy of all the documents you need to send with your application first. No originals. The IND will ask you for the original documents later, except for the passports or other identity documents of your family members.

Translate the documents into Dutch, English, French or German

All documents you send must be written in Dutch, English, German or French. Are the documents written in another language? Then you need to have the documents translated by a

'Register beëdigde tolken en vertalers' (register of sworn interpreters and translators)

Find a translator who can translate your documents. You can specify from which language your document must be translated into Dutch. And you can search for a translator near you. You will see the name, e-mail address and phone number of the translators you can contact. It is useful to ask the translator first what the translations cost, so you know what amount you need to take into account.

Please note that the documents must be translated by a translator sworn in the Netherlands. A translation from abroad is therefore not valid.