GREAT BAY: -- There have been some interesting amendments/changes to the Kingdom Law on the option procedure and acknowledgement. For clarification purposes, the terms Dutch Citizen, Dutch National, Naturalized Dutch Citizen is terms used interchangeable, and they signify the same.
1) As of March 1, 2009, minor children, 0—18 years of age, acknowledge after birth by an acknowledger with the Dutch Nationality becomes as of the date of the acknowledgement Dutch Nationals.
2) Children born after April 1, 2003 and before March 1 2009, and are younger than 7 years of age, the guardian(s) of said child (ren) can come to the Census Office to start the petition to become a Dutch National.
3) Children born after April 1, 2003 and before March 1 2009, and are 7 years or older. If acknowledger can prove within one year after acknowledgement, via DNA testing that he is the biological father, the guardian(s) of said child (ren) can come to the Census Office to start the petition for the child to become a Dutch National.
4) If the acknowledger cannot prove within one year after acknowledgement, via DNA testing that he is the biological father of the child (ren), then the former procedure of after April 1 2009 and before March 1 2009, whereby after 3 years, the acknowledger would have to prove that he has been raising, caring for and educating the child (ren) will still be in effect. The guardian(s) of said child (ren) can come to the Census Office to start the petition for the child (ren) to become a Dutch National.
We want to inform the public of these changes/amendments to the Kingdom Law: said Denise Williams, a senior worker at the Department of Civil Registry, also known as the Census Office. “In addition,” she said, “she would like to remind everyone, to have in their possession a valid passport which identifies a person and the nationality they have at the moment, and a valid residence paper.”
There are several ways that one can become a Dutch citizen: 1) By birth, when the parent(s) are Dutch nationals; (2) Through third generation: when at the time of birth the mother and/or father of the child has been registered and residing in the Kingdom, and at the time of the birth of the mother and/or father their parents has been registered and residing in the Kingdom. (3) Through the adoption process: whereby a child is adopted thru court procedures. (4) Through the option procedure: by submitting a statement that you wish to become a Dutch National; (5) Through the Naturalization procedure.
The Office of Civil Registry is there to serve the public, so do not hesitate to come to the office for information on your concerns. All are encouraged to make an appointment, Williams said. The telephone # is 54-22457, fax # 54-24267.