If you are a U.S. citizen applying for residency in Netherlands, your U.S. documents must usually be apostilled before Dutch authorities will accept them. This applies to immigration pathways such as the Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT), family reunification, and municipal registration after arrival.

Because the Netherlands and the United States are both members of the Hague Apostille Convention, Dutch authorities do not accept U.S. documents unless they are authenticated with an apostille issued by the correct U.S. authority.

This guide explains why apostilles are required, which documents typically need them, and exactly how to place the correct order through Apostille-USA.

An apostille certifies the authenticity of a U.S. document so it can be legally recognized in another Hague Convention country. Without an apostille, a U.S. document is considered valid only inside the United States.

For Dutch immigration purposes, apostilles are commonly required when applying for:

• The Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) residence permit
• Family reunification permits for spouses or children
• Registration with a Dutch municipality (BSN registration) after arrival

Documents prepared in the United States must be apostilled before they are submitted to the Dutch embassy or consulate, the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service), or a Dutch municipality.

This process applies to U.S. citizens submitting documents to Dutch authorities for immigration or residency purposes. It includes:

• Entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals applying under the DAFT visa
• Individuals sponsoring a spouse or children for residence
• Applicants registering their civil status after moving to the Netherlands

If your documents originate in the U.S., apostilles are required regardless of where you currently live.

Requirements vary by case, but commonly requested documents include:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Divorce decrees or death certificates (when applicable)
• Notarized passport copies
• Powers of attorney or sworn statements
• Educational diplomas (in some cases)

If a document is not an original certified government record, it must be properly notarized before it can be apostilled.

Apostilles are issued by different authorities depending on the document type.

State-issued documents—such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or notarized documents—are apostilled by the Secretary of State where the document originated.

Federally issued documents—most commonly an FBI background check—must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Submitting a document to the wrong authority will result in rejection.

Use this option for original certified copies of state-issued documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or death certificates.

Start your order here:
👉 https://apostille-usa.com/apostille-originals/

You will upload a scan of each document during checkout. After payment, you’ll receive mailing instructions to send your original certified copies. Once received, we process the apostille and return the completed documents to you.

Cost: $249 per document + return shipping
Processing time: 10–15 business days (varies by state)
Return shipping:

• Domestic: $65
• International: $95

Demo video: (standard 1-minute order walkthrough)

Vital Records Disclaimer

All vital records must be recent certified copies issued within the last 5 years. If you do not have a recent certified copy, request one from the relevant issuing authority or order online at:
👉 https://www.vitalchek.com/v/

If your document is not an original government-issued record—such as a notarized passport copy, power of attorney, affidavit, or declaration—it must be notarized before it can be apostilled.

Start your order here:
👉 https://apostille-usa.com/apostille-documents/

Be sure the document is correctly notarized before submission. Improper notarization is one of the most common reasons state apostille requests are rejected.

Cost: $249 per document + return shipping
Processing time: 10–15 business days (varies by state)

Some applicants may be asked to provide a federal document, most often an FBI background check. Federal apostilles are processed separately through the U.S. Department of State.

Start your order here:
👉 https://apostille-usa.com/apostille-federal-documents/

Upload your official FBI background check PDF during checkout. We handle the federal apostille and return the completed document to you.

Cost: $199 + shipping & handling
Processing time: 10–15 business days
Shipping options:

• Domestic: $65
• International: $95
• Digital handling: $35

Dutch authorities may require documents to be translated depending on the stage of the process and the receiving office. In most cases, documents should be apostilled first, then translated, since the apostille becomes part of the final document set.

Apostille-USA specializes exclusively in U.S. document authentication for international use. We help clients avoid delays caused by incorrect order types, missing notarization, outdated vital records, or submissions to the wrong authority.

Our process is built to be simple, accurate, and repeatable—especially for immigration-related timelines.

If you’re unsure which documents need apostilles or whether they should be processed at the state or federal level, contact us here or schedule a consultation here:
👉 https://apostille-usa.com/calendly/