How do I recover property seized by police?
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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Check seizure status and establish your interest. An interested person can challenge ordinary criminal seizure in writing; court and deadline depend on the case.
On this page
1. Identify the seizure
Request the receipt, item number and case reference. The prosecutor decides retention or return; the Beslagloket provides status information but neither decides nor stores goods. This concerns ordinary criminal seizure, not bailiff attachment, retained driving licences, European Investigation Orders or final forfeiture. Have uncertain routes checked.
2. Protect the deadline
File as soon as possible. Without prosecution, the usual outer limit is two years after seizure. With prosecution, within three months after the prosecuted case ends: in Dutch criminal procedure, 90 days. Multiple suspects or confiscation proceedings complicate the end date. Proposed return to another person may trigger a separate fourteen-day period. Do not wait for the Beslagloket.
3. Find the competent court
Without prosecution, normally use the district court where seizure occurred. After prosecution, use the trial-level court handling or last handling the case, sometimes the appeal court. Special seizure grounds may alter this. Check the court and accepted filing method with the registry or lawyer; ordinary email is not automatically valid.
4. Support your request
Identify every item, your standing and reasons for return. Attach the receipt, ownership/purchase evidence, prosecutor's letters and brief chronology. Ownership alone does not guarantee release: investigation, forfeiture or recovery interests may justify retention. Do not sign a waiver without understanding it. The draft is not a statement admitting an offence.
5. File and prepare for hearing
Submit the signed written complaint yourself and retain proof of receipt. Check timely receipt with the registry if needed. A call to the Beslagloket is not a complaint. Follow the chamber-hearing summons, prepare your explanation and discuss legal assistance. Adding other items orally later is insufficient; seek advice on another written complaint.
6. Read the decision promptly
Read the decision and record formal service. Article552d Sv gives the complainant fourteen days after service for cassation; immediately seek specialist advice on applicability and filing. This process does not automatically award damages. Follow collection instructions if return is ordered. Sale, destruction or another seizure ruling may require a different remedy.
Draft complaint: return of seized property
Check seizure type, court and deadline. For ordinary criminal-property return only. Complete placeholders, sign and submit yourself through an accepted registry route; no automatic sending.
Edit your draftWord
Your edits stay on this page and are not automatically saved or sent. Complete every placeholder.
Can the Beslagloket return my property?
No. It provides information; the prosecutor decides and the complaint court may rule on a written return request. A phone call does not replace that complaint.
Documents to prepare
Prepare your next stepFill in and save · Word
Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.
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Item 1 / 6 · Where do you stand with this item?
Receipt, item and case reference
This overview follows your own answers. It does not assess your rights or guarantee that your file is complete.
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View all details, notes and timeline
Your timeline and evidence
List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.
What goes in my timeline?
Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
Is my evidence sent?
No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.
How do I save my timeline?
Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.
Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.
0 / 6 · Checked or collected
For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.
For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?
Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.
This is your preparation, not a submitted request, objection or legally reviewed document. A tick records only your own progress. Check the procedure and deadline in the original letter.
Save and continue later
Clear entries
Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- Receipt, item and case reference
- Seizure basis, prosecution status and date
- Standing and ownership evidence
- Prosecutor letters and special short deadlines
- Competent court and delivery/receipt evidence
- Hearing, decision and formal service
Contact with a lawyer
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View the current application processSources
Need personal assistance? Request a lawyer through our chat. We explain the next step; submitting a request does not engage a lawyer. The links below support the legal information.
Politie · Oneens met beslag ↗Politie · Beslag en beslissing ↗Politie · Beslagloket ↗Rechtspraak · Handreiking beklag552a,29juli2026 ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.