U.S. Vital or Civil Records. How to get them
The Embassy or Consulate can’t obtain vital records on your behalf. Vital records include but are not limited to a birth or marriage certificate, a certified copy of a divorce decree, etc.
In the U.S., state, county or city governments, depending on location, usually hold such records. Please follow the link to The National Center for Health Statistics for more information on obtaining vital records.
Note: For your U.S. document to be accepted by the Dutch authorities, for example if you plan to get married, you must provide your document with an apostille. Please see our section on apostilles for further instructions.
There are also fee-based on-line services to help obtain records:
- www.Vitalchek.com (0800-255-2414), which allows you to request birth, death and marriage certifications online, by phone, or by fax.
- www.usbirthcertificate.net can help you obtain or amend a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, in addition to obtaining a birth certificate.
If you are a U.S. citizen, but have never been issued a U.S. passport, you may apply for a first U.S. passport, using the following guidance to prepare:
1. Fill out and print FORM DS-11
Complete FORM DS-11 online, and print it out single-sided, on two sheets of paper. Back to back printed forms cannot be processed. Do not print the instructions as you are to use this website instead. At ‘Mailing Address’ list your Dutch address, even if it is only temporary. You cannot currently list a “Country” when completing the “Emergency Contact” section on our forms. Please list an emergency contact in the United States. Do NOT sign the form. Applications filled out by hand may require longer to process.
3. Proof of U.S. Citizenship
You must present either:
- your original U.S. birth certificate, or
- your original Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or
- your original Naturalization Certificate, or
- your original Certificate of Citizenship
4. Proof of Identity
Bring valid proof of identity. This can be any valid government issued identity document, e.g. a foreign passport or driver’s license, I.D. card, Military I.D., or U.S. driver’s license.
6. Photocopies
Bring a plain photocopy of:
- Your proof of citizenship, and
- your identity document, and
- any other documentation that may be applicable to your application.
Copies of the forms are not required.
7. Passport Application Fee
Consular fees can be paid with any credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, or Diner’s Club). U.S. debit cards are also accepted if they carry the VISA symbol. Please note that the credit or debit card must be in the name of the applicant or the accompanying parent or legal guardian if the applicant is under the age of 18.
While a credit card payment is preferred consular fees can also be paid cash in Euros. We do NOT accept U.S. dollars, checks, or PIN cards. Please bring exact change to the appointment. For a current list of fees please see (//nl.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/fees/).
Please keep your wallet with you when entering our waiting room.
8. Set up an appointment
Set up an appointment via the link below. IMPORTANT: Print the appointment confirmation page or save it on your phone. You will NOT receive a confirmation e-mail.
- Set up your appointment online.
- Take note of our access and security instructions.
ARRIVE ON TIME
Try to arrive at the Consulate at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. If
you miss your slot we must ask you to reschedule.
Note that slots open up if we receive cancellations. Check back with our appointment system regularly if you wish for a earlier appointment slot.
9. Passport will be delivered by mail
Provide a prepaid return envelope
- Size: 23 x 16 centimeters or 9×6 inches – no bigger envelopes, no padded envelopes, no big DHL envelopes, please.
- On this envelope attach your DHL label*, or
- write the passport applicant’s name and address, and stick 5 x regular ‘1’ PostNL stamps in the top right corner.
We cannot send passports to addresses outside
of the Netherlands.
*We recommend using the trackable “waybill” from DHL express, or DHL parcel label. These you must order online at: //my.dhlexpress.nl/pwa/shipment/package/.
When prompted, please select “Mailbox Parcel”, and enter your personal information as the recipient. Check the option “E-mail Notification”.
When asked about the sender, enter your own name and the following mailing address: John Adams Park 1, 2244 BZ Wassenaar. Use your own e-mail address as sender and receiver so you receive all correspondence regarding your shipment. The
cost of the trackable service begins at €3.95. Print your DHL label and glue or tape it on your return envelope.
When using regular stamps note this way the shipment is not trackable. Mailing is at your own risk.
All valid passports will be canceled during your appointment as you cannot have two valid passports. Plan your appointment accordingly as you may be without a valid passport for up to three weeks.
If you are also applying for a passport card, bring two prepaid return envelopes as cards arrive two to three weeks after passport books.
Child under 18 years of age
If you are applying for the first passport for a child under the age of 18, who was born overseas, you must first report the child’s birth. Please see our section on Reporting a Birth Abroad.
Processing time
Passports are printed in the United States with a secure, photo-digitized image of the bearer. You should allow for up to 4 to 6 weeks for your application to be processed.