Registration city hall Rotterdam

When taking up residence, you have to apply for registration in the municipal population register

When you arrive from abroad, you have to register yourself and your family (if applicable) at the Civil Affairs Department (“Publiekszaken”) at Town Hall (“eerste inschrijving”). Adults and minors must apply in person. You can make an appointment to visit Town Hall by phoning 010-267 1625. Ask for an appointment at Town Hall (= Stadswinkel Centrum) for registration from abroad. The documents to be filled out can be found below. Please make sure you fill them in in advance. After registering yourself you will also be provided with a “Citizen Service Number” (BSN). You need this number when you open a bank account (see Opening a bank account) or take out health insurance.

When you register, please bring the following documents:

• valid passport or valid identity card and (if applicable) those of your child or children
• original birth certificate of all those to be registered (translated in English, French, German or Dutch and legalised or with apostille)
• Tenancy agreement (Verhuurdersverklaring), if applicaple: form declaration by main occupant (Verklaring inwoning), rental contract (“Huurcontract”) or sales contract (“Koopcontract”) Riva Rentals can help you with this.
• one completely filled-in application form per person (can be obtained at Town Hall or download the form) It saves time to fill in this form in advance.
• for non-EU citizens: a letter from the IND for an appointment to apply for a residence permit or your current residence permit. Non-EU citizens can register 30 minutes prior to the appointment with the IND.

And if applicable:

• marriage certificate(s) (translated and legalised or with apostille)
• divorce decree(s) or death certificate(s) (translated and legalised or with apostille) 
  (see the website of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs for legalisation of your documents) 

Municipal personal records database

Registration in the municipal personal records database (“GBA”) can be done at the same time you apply for a residence permit. Registration is free of charge. Therefore, if you come to live in the Netherlands, it is important that you register in the GBA. If you are a highly skilled migrant (”kennismigrant”) your employer will arrange this for you, but in other cases you must do so yourself. It is also important that you de-register with the municipality when you leave the Netherlands. Some foreign countries require a proof of de-registration. You can obtain an extract from the GBA, a statement from the municipality containing your personal details as listed in the municipal records.

Civil affairs department (publiekszaken)

If your civil status or your family situation changes, for instance in case of birth, death, marriage or divorce, you must notify the Civil Affairs Department in your municipality or district. The municipality records in the Civil Registry all data relating to important changes in personal circumstances, such as a birth, marriage and death. In these cases, official certificates are drawn up. Sometimes it is necessary to provide a copy or extract of such a certificate in your country of origin, e.g. if you have married or had a child in the Netherlands. A copy contains all the particulars listed on the certificate; an extract only contains a selection from these particulars.

More information

For more information go to: https://www.rotterdam.nl/english/

Photo: Iris van den Broek