Passports

Biometric passports

The EU member states have agreed that passports will now include the holder’s fingerprints. This means that when you apply for a new passport, you must let your fingerprints be taken. Starting 21 September 2009, all new Dutch passports and ID cards must include the holder's fingerprints. Since 26 August 2006, Dutch passports have included an electronic chip containing the personal details of the holder and a digitised passport photograph. Now, the chip will also contain a digitised image of the holder’s fingerprints. The aim is to make EU passports less susceptible to falsification and fraud. The chip makes it possible to compare this information electronically with the holder’s features and the printed information in the passport. This will make it more difficult to falsify passports or use someone else’s passport.

Dutch residents abroad

If you reside abroad and your passport expires, you can apply for a new passport at a Dutch Mission (a Dutch embassy or consulate). To include biometric information in passports, Dutch embassies, consulates-general, and some honorary consulates have received new equipment. At this time, not all honorary consulates could be equipped. As a result, not all honorary consulates will be able to process passport applications.
After processing your passport can be returned to you by mail or you can pick it up in person at the office you applied at. The choice to have your passport and other original documents send back is made under your sole responsibility. The Embassy or Consulates do not accept any liability for damage or loss of documents.

For mailing within the USA

Submit a self-addressed label, recommended with tracking services (e.g. UPS, FedEx or Express mail), listing the APPLICANTS name as the sender, but followed by the embassy's address. For example:

Sender:
John Applicant (your name)
4200 Linnean Avenue
Washington, DC 20008

Make sure that your payment details are listed on the label or that the label is pre-paid, depending on the service you use. Labels that are marked COD will not be accepted nor will we accept labels that mention the Embassy or Regional Support Office as shipper.

Shipping labels need to be submitted at the time of application and cannot be submitted to the regional support office at a later time.