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BSN (Burgerservicenummer) for New Arrivals in the Netherlands
Document Checklist
Geldig identiteitsbewijs / paspoort
Valid passport or national identity document
Where to get: Issuing-country passport authority
Required: Original (not expired)
Bring originals — gemeente clerks verify identity in person and will not accept copies alone.
Geboorteakte
Birth certificate
Where to get: Civil registry of country of birth
Required: Original, with apostille or consular legalisation where treaty requires
Verify the apostille or legalisation rule with the Dutch embassy in the issuing country before travel — non-legalised foreign certificates may be refused at the desk.
Huwelijksakte / echtscheidingsakte
Marriage or divorce certificate
Where to get: Civil registry or court of issuing country
Required: Original, apostilled or legalised where applicable
When: Only if married, divorced, or widowed
Bewijs verblijfsrecht / verblijfsvergunning
Proof of right of residence
Where to get: IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) for non-EU residents; implicit for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens
Required: Residence permit, MVV/D-visa, or EU citizenship document
Bewijs van woonadres
Proof of Dutch address
Where to get: Landlord, property owner, or care-address provider
Required: Rental contract, owner's consent letter, or briefadres declaration
If you have no permanent housing yet, ask the gemeente whether a briefadres (correspondence address) is acceptable for first registration.
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