HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG:--- On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the third naturalization ceremony of 2026 was held at the Cabinet of the Governor of Sint Maarten. During two separate ceremonies, a total of 84 individuals took the declaration of allegiance before the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency Mr. Ajamu G. Baly, thereby formally obtaining their Dutch citizenship.
The newly declared Dutch citizens represent 18 different nationalities across the community of Sint Maarten. The youngest was 6 years and the oldest was 83 years. In his address to the attendees, Governor Baly emphasized the significance of Dutch nationality and highlighted the core values of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Sint Maarten. He also pointed out the rights and responsibilities that accompany citizenship, as well as the connection to the Sint Maarten community and the Kingdom. He emphasized the importance of, and urged, individuals who obtained Dutch nationality to embody the Friendly Island spirit in their daily lives and to participate in national celebrations such as Emancipation Day on July 1st and Sint Maarten Day on November 11th.
Dutch nationality can be acquired in several ways: automatically at birth if at least one parent is Dutch, through adoption or acknowledgment, or through formal procedures such as the option or naturalization process. These procedures are governed by stringent requirements under the Kingdom Act on Dutch Nationality. To honor the significance of this milestone, the Governor’s Cabinet organizes naturalization ceremonies for all individuals who obtain Dutch nationality through the option or naturalization procedure. Attendance at the naturalization ceremony is mandatory and must be done within one year of the decision being rendered.
These ceremonies take place across the Dutch Kingdom. By publicly marking this milestone, the Cabinet wishes to promote awareness and understanding of the process regarding acquiring Dutch citizenship.