1) As of March 1st, 2009, acknowledged minor children younger than 7 acknowledged after birth by an acknowledger with the Dutch Nationality becomes as of the date of the acknowledgement Dutch Nationals.

2) As of March 1st 2009 acknowledged minor children older than 7 years of age, acknowledged by a Dutch National, must prove at date of acknowledgement or within 1 year of the acknowledgment that the acknowledger is the biological father: More information on the procedures of DNA testing can be retrieved at the Civil Registry Department.

3) A minor child that has not been acknowledged and has a foreign nationality can be come a Dutch National through legitimization if the father has the Dutch Nationality.

4) Children acknowledged 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 Civil Registry Department to start the option-procedure to become a Dutch National. 

5) Children acknowledged after April 1, 2003 and before March 1 2009, and are 7 years of age or older. Paternity results must be given on the day the option-procedure is started for the child to become a Dutch National.

6) Acknowledged children older than 7 years of age where the paternity cannot be proven must prove at the date of the option-procedure that the raising of the child and the care of the child has been ongoing for at least 3 consistent years before the date of the option-procedure.

Everyone applying for the option-procedure should have a valid passport from their country of origin; this includes children born in Sint Maarten whose parents have a foreign nationality. A valid residence paper is also required to do the option-procedure.

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) by adoption process: whereby a child is adopted through court procedures.

4) by option procedure: by submitting a statement that you wish to become a Dutch National at the Civil Registry Department.

5) Naturalization procedure by the Police Affairs Department