On the 19th of June I became a Dutch citizen. I was required to go to the official ceremony at the Stadsdeel Amsterdam, in the Stopera building. I have an official certificate that I am supposed to guard with my life as it will remain my final proof of citizenship.
Thus endeth that quest. Somehow it feels anti-climactic, probably since nothing in my day to day life has changed as a result. Maybe it will be real when voting time comes around.
My colleagues bought me orange daisies for the occasion.
Showing posts with label Becoming Dutch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Becoming Dutch. Show all posts
Friday, June 22, 2007
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Becoming Dutch - Part III - the application is IN!
It’s been a long time since I posted anything here. I have no excuse besides the usual things bloggers come up against – time constraints, other priorities, lack of anything interesting to say. The last time I posted was around Thanksgiving, while I was in the US. I survived the trip back and immediately got sucked into changes at work, holiday planning and DIY projects at home. But there IS NEWS regarding one big project….. becoming Dutch!On 7 December we went to the Stadsdeelkantoor and officially became a Partnership. I’m still not sure what the difference is between getting married and having a registered partnership. I first thought that the registered partnership was a way for gays to become “legal”, but since gay marriage is legal here this explanation makes no sense. In any case, we chose for the registered partnership, and on December 7 we signed on the dotted line. We had 4 witnesses and to be honest we both wanted to make this as informal as possible, but some people just don’t listen! The abtenaar who was presiding over things tried her best to make it “special”, bless her, but it only became comical. For us this was a formality on the way to Dutch citizenship, and doesn’t change our relationship one bit. But yeah, it’s done and now we are even more official! We never would have done this except that it’s a requirement if I want to have both a Dutch and passport. And, by the way, in de Baarsjes its free on Thursdays!
This morning we went to the IND (yet again) so that I could apply for Dutch citizenship. At this point we’ve jumped all the difficult bureaucratic hurdles, so this final step was quick and easy. The only hard part was handing over 362 euros. And if they turn down your application you don’t get your money back. I had to show them my inburgeringscertificaat but everything else was already in the computer. The woman who helped us confirmed that I would be able to keep my US passport - no problem.
Now we wait! She said that it might take 6 months before I get a reply, but I expect it will be less. Once it is approved I will have to attend the official ceremony. And then we will throw a party!
One more step on the way to becoming an official Dutchie!
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Becoming Dutch - Phase II, Part 1, section iii
Yesterday we went down to the Stadsdeelkantoor to apply to become a registered partnership. This after the other paperwork necessary was done and about 4 months had passed. Four months! since we first went to the IND to apply for Dutch citizenship. Sheesh.
Anyway, it was a pretty quick operation yesterday. Review of existing paperwork. Pick a date to come back and sign the final paperwork. Sign here. We choose to come back on 7 December since it's a Thursday and on Thursdays marriages and partnerships are FREE! Otherwise we would have had to pay 200something euros. Are we Dutch or what.
Our next step is to find 4 witnesses to come with us to this official event. If it wasn't for the fact that we need to do this in order for me to be able to apply for Dutch citizenship we never would have thought about registering. A livingtogethercontract was enough for us. Now we have to drag 4 other people to the city office on a cold December morning in order to help me get to the end goal. Or just grab a few people off the street with promises of hot coffee inside....
Anyway, it was a pretty quick operation yesterday. Review of existing paperwork. Pick a date to come back and sign the final paperwork. Sign here. We choose to come back on 7 December since it's a Thursday and on Thursdays marriages and partnerships are FREE! Otherwise we would have had to pay 200something euros. Are we Dutch or what.
Our next step is to find 4 witnesses to come with us to this official event. If it wasn't for the fact that we need to do this in order for me to be able to apply for Dutch citizenship we never would have thought about registering. A livingtogethercontract was enough for us. Now we have to drag 4 other people to the city office on a cold December morning in order to help me get to the end goal. Or just grab a few people off the street with promises of hot coffee inside....
Monday, October 23, 2006
Becoming Dutch - Phase II, Part 1, section ii
Back on September 28 I said to mark this date. The IND had one month to reply to our request to become a Registered Partnership. What the IND has to do with it I still don't understand. But nevermind, whoever does understand bureaucracy must be crazy. Well, surprise, surprise, the IND actually replied early. We received today our letter from the Stadsdeel De Baarsjes saying that we are approved and to make an appointment to come down and get hitched (sort of).
They were at least a week early with their reply, so maybe the IND is getting better.
DB will call tomorrow to make the appointment.
Once we're officially registered as a partnership (not sure how long that takes, surely not just a day!) we can go down to the IND (again) and fill in the paperwork for my Dutch passport. I'm seriously trying to hurry before they change the law about letting me keep my US passport. I expect it will take 6 months from the time the forms are handed in until I receive a (positive) reply. We'll be sure to take photos at the ceremony.
I will keep you posted loyal readers......
They were at least a week early with their reply, so maybe the IND is getting better.
DB will call tomorrow to make the appointment.
Once we're officially registered as a partnership (not sure how long that takes, surely not just a day!) we can go down to the IND (again) and fill in the paperwork for my Dutch passport. I'm seriously trying to hurry before they change the law about letting me keep my US passport. I expect it will take 6 months from the time the forms are handed in until I receive a (positive) reply. We'll be sure to take photos at the ceremony.
I will keep you posted loyal readers......
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Becoming Dutch - Mandatory Ceremony
I just noticed on the IND website that after 1 October 2006 that the Naturalisation Ceremony is now mandatory in order to become a Dutch citizen. I think this is a good idea. After all, you should want to celebrate the event and make it an official kind of feeling. Otherwise maybe you shouldn't be doing it. Here's the official text:
The naturalisation ceremony on or after 1 October 2006
As of a fixed date in 2006, most probably 1 October 2006, it will be compulsory for you to attend the ceremony. Minors who were aged sixteen or seventeen at the time of the naturalisation request or option statement will also be required to attend. If you are invited for a ceremony taking place on or after this date, you will only become a Dutch national if you attend the ceremony. If you do not attend the ceremony, you will receive a new invitation for a future ceremony. You must attend a ceremony within one year of the decision being made; if you do not, you will not receive the Dutch nationality. Once the deadline has expired, you will need to begin a new naturalisation or option procedure if you still wish to become a Dutch national.
Becoming Dutch - mark this date
Yesterday DB took the filled in M46 form to the stadsdeel. He asked them several times to confirm that it was filled in correctly. You just never know with these abtenaars if they are paying attention. Anyway, the form was accepted and now all our paperwork is off to the IND for THEIR approval of our intention to become a registered partnership. Really I don't know what the IND has to do with it since I have a valid residence permit in my hands. But this is the process that has to be followed.
Now the clock is ticking. How long will the IND hold onto our paperwork? How long will it take them to look in their computer, see my name there, and put a rubber stamp on the M46? Normally this should take no more than a month. Mark this date and let's see!
Now the clock is ticking. How long will the IND hold onto our paperwork? How long will it take them to look in their computer, see my name there, and put a rubber stamp on the M46? Normally this should take no more than a month. Mark this date and let's see!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Back to School in Dutch - night 2
Last night was the second Dutch language class with the Volksuniversiteit. The first one was all about politics. This class was all about having an opinion and the different verbal methods used to express it. Obviously, given these two topics, it's an inburgerings cursus as well. What Dutch person doesn't like to have a strong opinion about politics?
We also learned something that I doubt they teach in the official inburgerings cursus over at the ROC. We learned that when a person turns 50 they are said to have "seen Abraham" or in the case of a woman "seen Sarah". This means that you are older and wiser and should be listened to by those who have not reached such an age. Therefore your neighbors should then take notice when you tell them to pick their dog's shit off the sidewalk from in front of your house. Good luck.
You can buy or rent Abraham or Sarah dolls or wooden cutouts to put in front of your house to advertise the event to the whole neighborhood, the same as with storks at a baby's birth. You can also buy cakes decorated with Abraham or Sarah for your birthday party. And since this is the Netherlands we're talking about, you KNOW there will be a birthday party. Gezellig.
Best expression learned last night: Over smaak valt niet te twisten.
We also learned something that I doubt they teach in the official inburgerings cursus over at the ROC. We learned that when a person turns 50 they are said to have "seen Abraham" or in the case of a woman "seen Sarah". This means that you are older and wiser and should be listened to by those who have not reached such an age. Therefore your neighbors should then take notice when you tell them to pick their dog's shit off the sidewalk from in front of your house. Good luck.
You can buy or rent Abraham or Sarah dolls or wooden cutouts to put in front of your house to advertise the event to the whole neighborhood, the same as with storks at a baby's birth. You can also buy cakes decorated with Abraham or Sarah for your birthday party. And since this is the Netherlands we're talking about, you KNOW there will be a birthday party. Gezellig.
Best expression learned last night: Over smaak valt niet te twisten.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Biking in Amsterdam - Not for the Faint of Heart
On the website of the official tourist office for Amsterdam, it states that "the most practical means of transportation in Amsterdam is still the bike", which is true, but only for people who live here. This website, along with travel books, tv shows, and columns written by erstwhile travelers, tells the unwary tourist to "see Amsterdam by bike". This is simply wrong advice. Really. Take my word for it. Don't do it unless you have lived in Amsterdam for at least 3 months and have sat on the back of someone else's bike to get the feel of things. Otherwise you are a danger to yourself and others.
Amsterdamers use their bikes to get to work, to do their shopping, to take their kids to school and bring them home. They bike to the movies. They bike to the gym. Biking is a means to an end. It is not done for pleasure or because it's good to get exercise. Biking is simply the most efficient way to get around the city. Therefore, stay out of their way or you will get run over! This is especially true if you are a tourist, and is still true if you are a tourist on a bike.
Tourists bike slowly and are busy sightseeing or finding their way around. Nothing is more irritating than trying to get home from work and getting stuck behind someone on a MacBike who doesn't seem to understand that they are supposed to ride to the right side of the road/bike lane so that others can pass them. They don't understand that you shouldn't suddenly stop in the middle of the bike lane to stare gap-mouthed at some old building. They are then run over by the 10 bikers behind them coming at speed. Tourists from the US don't understand the right of way rules and run the risk of getting hit by cars and they also don't understand that just because a road is narrow it doesn't mean that there will not be cars on it (this goes for US people on foot as well). The really good thing about bad weather in Amsterdam is that there won't be any tourists on the roads clogging up traffic and causing accidents.
The above might make me sound like an agressive biker, but honestly I'm not. I'm a FAST biker, that is true, but not agressive. I learned that this morning on my own way to work.
Normally I leave for work from the west side of the city around 8:00 in the morning, heading into the city center. I pass by the inner ring road, I bike through the 9 Straatjes, smack into the heart of the city. This morning I left an hour later than usual and man what a world of difference that makes. I've never seen such agressive biking on the streets before. Even after living here for 3.5 years and owning 3 different bikes, this came as kind of a shock. Bikers were cutting each other off at every corner; racing to be the first to cut between the trucks blocking the road; crashing into each other because neither one wanted to give up the right of way. At 8:00 the streets of the city are deadly quiet and I only have to contend with the occasional delivery truck. This morning I had to defend myself against the young women in business clothes who had no intention of slowing down at the intersection even though she had a red light. One man ran his bike into mine because he thought he should go around the parked truck before me, even though I was ahead of him and we were all WALKING our bikes at that point because there was so little space left on the road. What's up with all this agressive behavior?
I bike home at the end of the day around 5 or 6 every evening. The roads are again crowded with bikers heading home, but it is no where near this hectic or crazy. I guess everyone has spent their energy for the day and can't be bothered to fight each other for road space at that point. I think I will go back to leaving for work early. It's easier on my blood pressure.
Amsterdamers use their bikes to get to work, to do their shopping, to take their kids to school and bring them home. They bike to the movies. They bike to the gym. Biking is a means to an end. It is not done for pleasure or because it's good to get exercise. Biking is simply the most efficient way to get around the city. Therefore, stay out of their way or you will get run over! This is especially true if you are a tourist, and is still true if you are a tourist on a bike.
Tourists bike slowly and are busy sightseeing or finding their way around. Nothing is more irritating than trying to get home from work and getting stuck behind someone on a MacBike who doesn't seem to understand that they are supposed to ride to the right side of the road/bike lane so that others can pass them. They don't understand that you shouldn't suddenly stop in the middle of the bike lane to stare gap-mouthed at some old building. They are then run over by the 10 bikers behind them coming at speed. Tourists from the US don't understand the right of way rules and run the risk of getting hit by cars and they also don't understand that just because a road is narrow it doesn't mean that there will not be cars on it (this goes for US people on foot as well). The really good thing about bad weather in Amsterdam is that there won't be any tourists on the roads clogging up traffic and causing accidents.
The above might make me sound like an agressive biker, but honestly I'm not. I'm a FAST biker, that is true, but not agressive. I learned that this morning on my own way to work.
Normally I leave for work from the west side of the city around 8:00 in the morning, heading into the city center. I pass by the inner ring road, I bike through the 9 Straatjes, smack into the heart of the city. This morning I left an hour later than usual and man what a world of difference that makes. I've never seen such agressive biking on the streets before. Even after living here for 3.5 years and owning 3 different bikes, this came as kind of a shock. Bikers were cutting each other off at every corner; racing to be the first to cut between the trucks blocking the road; crashing into each other because neither one wanted to give up the right of way. At 8:00 the streets of the city are deadly quiet and I only have to contend with the occasional delivery truck. This morning I had to defend myself against the young women in business clothes who had no intention of slowing down at the intersection even though she had a red light. One man ran his bike into mine because he thought he should go around the parked truck before me, even though I was ahead of him and we were all WALKING our bikes at that point because there was so little space left on the road. What's up with all this agressive behavior?
I bike home at the end of the day around 5 or 6 every evening. The roads are again crowded with bikers heading home, but it is no where near this hectic or crazy. I guess everyone has spent their energy for the day and can't be bothered to fight each other for road space at that point. I think I will go back to leaving for work early. It's easier on my blood pressure.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Back to School in Dutch
The leaves are falling, the temps are dropping (a little), and the sun is too lazy to come up early in the morning. It must be Fall (or Autumn for you non-US speakers). And you know what that means - Back to School.
It was back to school for me last night when my latest Dutch class started. I say "latest" because I've taken 3 classes previously, although it's been 18 months since the last one ended. You'd think I'd be fluent by now, but nooooooo I still spend most of my time speaking English, reading English and thinking in English. Although the other day I couldn't think of the English word for "loopband" which had my mom laughing.
My new classes are with the Volksuniversiteit which is a place for adult education where you can learn to paint portraits, to wire your house, to appreciate Italian architecture, take historical walks through Amersterdam, or learn languages, just to name a few classes on offer. I'm doing the NT2 (Nederlands als Tweede Taal - Dutch as a second language) course, which requires an itake interview of an hour to see what level you should be in. I ended up right smack in the middle of 9 levels. This basically means that over the 18 months that I didn't take any classes I skipped a level upwards. I guess hanging out with DB has had some positive effect. If I continue improving I can one day take the NT2 test, which I don't really have to do, but I'd like to do. Looks good on a cv/resume.
The other classes I took were at the UVA. I decided to try a different school because the UVA classes are overcrowded and I was less than impressed with the teachers I had. So far, after one night with the new school, I'm pleasantly surprised.
What did we learn in Day 1?
Today, 19 September, is Prinsjesdag. The Queen will arrive in Den Haag in her golden coach to deliver a speech and to present the government's direction for the coming year. This is somewhat ironic since the present government is limping along with a broken coalition. New elections will be held on 22 November to decide the makeup of the Tweede Kaamer and the new government and new Prime Minister. Harry Potter might be on his way out!
All this and more we discussed in Dutch class last night, all in Dutch of course. We also discussed various forms of government around the world.
And then we did grammar exercises.
Now, my question to those ROC administrators, who are charged with creating and delivering the inburgerings curses, is, WHY DON'T YOU TEACH THIS IN THE INBURGERINGS CURSES? I learned more in one night of a Dutch language course than I ever did in the foreigners integration course that is required by law for all newcomers. What a joke this is. Rita Verdonk, you have no clue do you?
Favorite expression learned last night: Nederland is klein maar fijn.
It was back to school for me last night when my latest Dutch class started. I say "latest" because I've taken 3 classes previously, although it's been 18 months since the last one ended. You'd think I'd be fluent by now, but nooooooo I still spend most of my time speaking English, reading English and thinking in English. Although the other day I couldn't think of the English word for "loopband" which had my mom laughing.
My new classes are with the Volksuniversiteit which is a place for adult education where you can learn to paint portraits, to wire your house, to appreciate Italian architecture, take historical walks through Amersterdam, or learn languages, just to name a few classes on offer. I'm doing the NT2 (Nederlands als Tweede Taal - Dutch as a second language) course, which requires an itake interview of an hour to see what level you should be in. I ended up right smack in the middle of 9 levels. This basically means that over the 18 months that I didn't take any classes I skipped a level upwards. I guess hanging out with DB has had some positive effect. If I continue improving I can one day take the NT2 test, which I don't really have to do, but I'd like to do. Looks good on a cv/resume.
The other classes I took were at the UVA. I decided to try a different school because the UVA classes are overcrowded and I was less than impressed with the teachers I had. So far, after one night with the new school, I'm pleasantly surprised.
What did we learn in Day 1?
Today, 19 September, is Prinsjesdag. The Queen will arrive in Den Haag in her golden coach to deliver a speech and to present the government's direction for the coming year. This is somewhat ironic since the present government is limping along with a broken coalition. New elections will be held on 22 November to decide the makeup of the Tweede Kaamer and the new government and new Prime Minister. Harry Potter might be on his way out!
All this and more we discussed in Dutch class last night, all in Dutch of course. We also discussed various forms of government around the world.
And then we did grammar exercises.
Now, my question to those ROC administrators, who are charged with creating and delivering the inburgerings curses, is, WHY DON'T YOU TEACH THIS IN THE INBURGERINGS CURSES? I learned more in one night of a Dutch language course than I ever did in the foreigners integration course that is required by law for all newcomers. What a joke this is. Rita Verdonk, you have no clue do you?
Favorite expression learned last night: Nederland is klein maar fijn.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Becoming Dutch - Phase II, Part I update
Yesterday we received a letter in the mail from the Stadsdeel regarding our request to become a registered partnership. See earlier post about all those details. DB thought that the Stadsdeel would review and approve MY paperwork, then send it all off to the IND for THEIR approval, and THEN it was necessary for the Stadsdeel to have HIS birth certificate in order to finalize the partnership paperwork. That would make logical sense. Why would the Stadsdeel or IND need his birth certificate in order to approve or deny MY paperwork?
But noooo.
The letter states that so far the Stadsdeel is happy with my paperwork, but they won't go any further until they have his birth certificate in their hot little hands, and we need to bring the original copy of this letter with us when we drop it off. And THEN we have to fill out an "M46 formulier". This wasn't mentioned before and who knows what it's for. I just hope it doesn't cost money.
Since we didn't think it was important to hurry up with the birth certificate for DB, he applied for it online last week. It takes 10-14 days to get it in the mail so we should get it in another week. If we had gone there in person we could have had it on the spot. But what takes 15 minutes in person takes 10-14 days without someone breathing down their necks to get it done right away. Go figure.
The good news is that the Stadsdeel likes me and thinks enough of my paperwork to let me hook up with a Dutchie. Now it's up to the IND. A scary thought indeed. To be continued....
But noooo.
The letter states that so far the Stadsdeel is happy with my paperwork, but they won't go any further until they have his birth certificate in their hot little hands, and we need to bring the original copy of this letter with us when we drop it off. And THEN we have to fill out an "M46 formulier". This wasn't mentioned before and who knows what it's for. I just hope it doesn't cost money.
Since we didn't think it was important to hurry up with the birth certificate for DB, he applied for it online last week. It takes 10-14 days to get it in the mail so we should get it in another week. If we had gone there in person we could have had it on the spot. But what takes 15 minutes in person takes 10-14 days without someone breathing down their necks to get it done right away. Go figure.
The good news is that the Stadsdeel likes me and thinks enough of my paperwork to let me hook up with a Dutchie. Now it's up to the IND. A scary thought indeed. To be continued....
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Becoming Dutch - Phase II, Part I
This morning began Phase II of my journey towards becoming a Dutch citizen. At the beginning of Phase I (before this blog began), I didn't know if there would even be a Phase II, but I decided there should be and so here we go.
Phase I, in case you're wondering was titled "Getting a Dutch Residence Permit (Verblijfsvergunning)". This entailed several visits to the IND (Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst) in Amsterdam, loads of paperwork, re-doing the paperwork, waiting and waiting and wondering if everything was ok and finally 4 months later receiving my permit. And actually feeling lucky that it was only 4 months when lots of people had to wait 6 months and more for their permits. This was just over 3 years ago when the IND was in an even worse backlog situation than they are in today, and when Rita Verdonk was just becoming a household name.
But I digress. This is about Phase II - Becoming a Dutch citizen and getting the passport and being able to vote. These are two big reasons for pursuing this adventure now. I want to vote in the country where I live and pay my taxes. I haven't lived in the US for over 14 years and I haven't voted in US elections in all that time. It doesn't seem fair to me to have a say in how a country runs where I don't live and it seems only right that I should have a say in NL. I'd also like to be able to travel on something other than an American passport, not out of fear but out of ease of movement.
But the main reason that I want to become a Dutch citizen is because this is my home. I live with a Dutchman. I've bought a house. I have a good job. I've learned (and am still learning) the language. I don't plan to return to the US. This is my home.
Part I entails first having a Registered Partnership (Geregistreerd Partnerschap) with my Dutchman. This was our first surprise since we thought that having a Living Together Contract (Samenlevingscontract) was enough. We got this contract drawn up when we bought our house 2 years ago. It wasn't a requirement, but the bank smiled more kindly on our mortgage application if we had it.
The Registered Partnership is a bit more "legal" and this is the required paperwork in order to even be ABLE to apply for a passport. Now, this only applies of course if you are legally in this country based on living with a Dutch person. Or we could just get married.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Anyway, we went down to the Stadsdeelkantoor (city administration) this morning to fill out the paperwork. They took my birth certificate and my divorce papers. They took copies of my passport and residence permit. They DIDN'T take my partner's birth certificate. Since he was born in NL he has to get a NEW birth certificate (instead of using the 3 year old one he has) so we have to go after that now.
What happens now? The Stadsdeelkantoor has to approve my paperwork. THEN they have to send it all off to the IND and THEY have to approve it. All of this should take about a month. And that's just to APPLY for a registered partnership, which should take another couple of weeks to be final. And only after THAT can I go to the IND and apply for a passport.
Some people say that it's too easy to immigrate here, that the government lets people in too easily. I say that the bureaucracy alone is daunting enough to keep out those who are not stubborn enough or strong enough or supported enough to get through it. And besides, with the cost of all this bureaucracy (over EUR 400 or $450), it ain't for the poor either (but that's another topic....).
Phase I, in case you're wondering was titled "Getting a Dutch Residence Permit (Verblijfsvergunning)". This entailed several visits to the IND (Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst) in Amsterdam, loads of paperwork, re-doing the paperwork, waiting and waiting and wondering if everything was ok and finally 4 months later receiving my permit. And actually feeling lucky that it was only 4 months when lots of people had to wait 6 months and more for their permits. This was just over 3 years ago when the IND was in an even worse backlog situation than they are in today, and when Rita Verdonk was just becoming a household name.
But I digress. This is about Phase II - Becoming a Dutch citizen and getting the passport and being able to vote. These are two big reasons for pursuing this adventure now. I want to vote in the country where I live and pay my taxes. I haven't lived in the US for over 14 years and I haven't voted in US elections in all that time. It doesn't seem fair to me to have a say in how a country runs where I don't live and it seems only right that I should have a say in NL. I'd also like to be able to travel on something other than an American passport, not out of fear but out of ease of movement.
But the main reason that I want to become a Dutch citizen is because this is my home. I live with a Dutchman. I've bought a house. I have a good job. I've learned (and am still learning) the language. I don't plan to return to the US. This is my home.
Part I entails first having a Registered Partnership (Geregistreerd Partnerschap) with my Dutchman. This was our first surprise since we thought that having a Living Together Contract (Samenlevingscontract) was enough. We got this contract drawn up when we bought our house 2 years ago. It wasn't a requirement, but the bank smiled more kindly on our mortgage application if we had it.
The Registered Partnership is a bit more "legal" and this is the required paperwork in order to even be ABLE to apply for a passport. Now, this only applies of course if you are legally in this country based on living with a Dutch person. Or we could just get married.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Anyway, we went down to the Stadsdeelkantoor (city administration) this morning to fill out the paperwork. They took my birth certificate and my divorce papers. They took copies of my passport and residence permit. They DIDN'T take my partner's birth certificate. Since he was born in NL he has to get a NEW birth certificate (instead of using the 3 year old one he has) so we have to go after that now.
What happens now? The Stadsdeelkantoor has to approve my paperwork. THEN they have to send it all off to the IND and THEY have to approve it. All of this should take about a month. And that's just to APPLY for a registered partnership, which should take another couple of weeks to be final. And only after THAT can I go to the IND and apply for a passport.
Some people say that it's too easy to immigrate here, that the government lets people in too easily. I say that the bureaucracy alone is daunting enough to keep out those who are not stubborn enough or strong enough or supported enough to get through it. And besides, with the cost of all this bureaucracy (over EUR 400 or $450), it ain't for the poor either (but that's another topic....).
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