How can my child get a citizen service number (BSN) outside the Netherlands?

Your child will get a BSN after registering at an RNI desk. You can register your child at an RNI desk if your child:

• lives outside the Netherlands; or
• will be staying in the Netherlands for less than 4 months.

How does it work?

Your child’s nationality determines which desk you can register them at:

• If your child is a Dutch national or a national of another EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you can make an appointment at any RNI desk you choose.
• If your child isn’t a Dutch national or a national of another EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you can only make an appointment at the RNI desk in Breda or Venlo.

Making an appointment

Make an appointment at an RNI desk.

• Alkmaar
• Almelo
• Amsterdam
• Breda*
• Doetinchem*
• Eindhoven
• Goes
• Groningen
• Heerlen*
• Leeuwarden
• Leiden
• Nijmegen*
• Rotterdam
• Terneuzen
• The Hague*
• Utrecht
• Venlo*
• Westland*
• Zwolle

Preparing for your appointment

To register a child younger than 16 at an RNI desk, you must bring the following:

• Your valid passport or ID card.
• Your child’s valid passport or ID card.
• Your child’s birth certificate or a declaration of acknowledgement of parentage stating that you are their parent. Find out if you need to have a foreign document legalised and/or translated. Check with the municipality to find out what requirements the document must meet.

If you don’t speak Dutch or English, bring someone with you who can interpret for you.

Registering in person

You and your child must go to the RNI desk in person so that a staff member can verify your and your child’s identities.

After registering

At the RNI desk, you will receive an overview of your child’s data in the RNI and a letter with your child’s BSN.

If your child lives outside the Netherlands, you can get a BSN for them via the Tax Administration if you are entitled to childcare benefit and need a BSN for your child for this purpose.

How does it work?

If the situation above applies to you, apply for a BSN via the Tax Administration. The Tax Administration will arrange the registration in the RNI. Once your child is registered you will receive a BSN for them.

Applying for a BSN via the Tax Administration (Belastingdienst.nl)

If your child lives outside the Netherlands, you can get a BSN for them via the SVB if you are entitled to child benefit and need a BSN for your child for this purpose.

How does it work?

If the situation above applies to you, apply to SVB for child benefit. The SVB will arrange the registration in the RNI. Once your child is registered you will receive a BSN for them.

How do I apply for child benefit from outside the Netherlands?

If your child lives in Aruba, Curaçao or St Maarten and is going to study in the Netherlands, your child can get a BSN via DUO if they have Dutch nationality and apply for student finance before they leave for the Netherlands. Students in secondary vocational education (MBO) who are under 18 can also get a BSN via DUO.

How does it work?

If the situation above applies to your child, apply to DUO for student finance. DUO will register your child in the RNI. Once your child is registered they will receive a BSN.

Find out more about getting a BSN via DUO (DUO.nl) (information in Dutch)

If your child lives outside the Netherlands and you are entitled to a benefit from the central office for exceptional medical insurance (CAK) or the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV), one of these organisations may be able to register your child in the RNI. Once your child is registered they will receive a BSN.

More information

Contact the CAK or UWV for more information.

Contact the CAK (hetCAK.nl)

Contact the UWV (UWV.nl)