My Dutch residence document is lost or stolen: what should I do?
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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Report the loss or theft to police and apply to IND for replacement. First check document type and expiry: a regular permit valid for less than three more months may require extension or a change of purpose instead. A police report is not a travel document.
On this page
- Check document type and expiry
- Report the loss and keep a copy
- Collect the correct documents
- Apply through the official route
- Follow the application and collect the document
- Check recovered cards and travel plans
- Damage, details or work rights
- Biometrics: timing and documents
- Collection: place, children and payment
- May I use my card again if I find it?
- Documents to prepare
- Sources
1. Check document type and expiry
This concerns a valid Dutch residence document, statelessness document or W/W2 identity document that is lost or stolen. Replacing the card does not extend residence rights. If a regular permit has less than three months left, consider extension or change of purpose; IND says separate replacement for that period is unnecessary. Confirm the correct route for other document types.
IND · Verblijfsvergunning kwijt of gestolen ↗
IND · Formulier 6010 vervanging of vernieuwing vreemdelingendocumenten ↗
2. Report the loss and keep a copy
Report loss or theft to police. Request a certified copy of the report and submit a copy with the IND application. If it happened abroad, report it there. If the foreign report is not in Dutch, English, French or German, include a translation by a court-sworn translator.
IND · Verblijfsvergunning kwijt of gestolen ↗
IND · Formulier 6010 vervanging of vernieuwing vreemdelingendocumenten ↗
3. Collect the correct documents
Follow official form6010 or the online application's document checklist. Gather document type, V-number, contact details and police report. The form requests appropriate identity evidence and gives exceptions, such as no passport copy for asylum residence. A copy of the missing card is not required if unavailable. Submit identity documents only through the official IND channel.
IND · Verblijfsvergunning kwijt of gestolen ↗
IND · Formulier 6010 vervanging of vernieuwing vreemdelingendocumenten ↗
4. Apply through the official route
Apply via the IND page with your own DigiD or official paper form6010. Check current fees and exemptions; replacement is not always free. Follow online payment instructions; IND says payment for the paper replacement route is at collection. Keep application and receipt. Our preparation sends nothing and does not replace an application.
IND · Verblijfsvergunning kwijt of gestolen ↗
IND · Formulier 6010 vervanging of vernieuwing vreemdelingendocumenten ↗
5. Follow the application and collect the document
IND states an eight-week decision period, which it may extend with notice, for example for missing documents. Follow Mijn IND and respond to requests. Arrange biometrics only after the appropriate IND letter. When ready, follow the collection letter and appointment instructions; W2 has a special booking route. Replacement usually keeps the same expiry. With less than one month remaining, a residence-rights letter may replace a new card.
IND · Verblijfsvergunning kwijt of gestolen ↗
IND · Formulier 6010 vervanging of vernieuwing vreemdelingendocumenten ↗
6. Check recovered cards and travel plans
A document found after reporting loss or theft is invalid: do not use it and return it to IND. If travelling or already abroad, check required travel documents and visas before departure or return. An application receipt or police report does not guarantee entry to the Netherlands; ask about the applicable return route. For refusal, follow the remedy instructions in the IND decision promptly.
IND · Verblijfsvergunning kwijt of gestolen ↗
IND · Formulier 6010 vervanging of vernieuwing vreemdelingendocumenten ↗
7. Damage, details or work rights
For unusable damage, include copies of both card sides. For incorrect personal details, have the municipality check/correct the BRP first, then request replacement. If you genuinely qualify to work without a TWV, the 'Arbeid vrij toegestaan, TWV niet vereist' endorsement is free; not on a Foreign Nationals Identity Document (VI). For this change with under one month's validity, IND specifies extension form 7035 with an explicit endorsement request; extension fees remain. For damage/details use DigiD or 6010. Under three months, IND recommends extension/renewal, or written replacement if still desired. Check current fees: online payment on application, written applications according to IND at collection. Decision period eight weeks, with possible notified extension; collect by appointment after the letter. Expiry normally stays the same; under one month a residence-right letter may follow. These are not loss cases: do not invent a theft report or new mvv requirement.
8. Biometrics: timing and documents
Book biometrics only after IND's receipt letter or letter requesting photo, signature and fingerprints; early appointments are cancelled. IND takes the photo on site, so do not bring a photographer's photo. Select an eligible location through the official appointment page, respecting service-point regional conditions. IND biometrics are free; an expat centre may charge extra. For a child under two, do not book biometrics: send a photographer's photo with the Photo Card appendix. Ukraine temporary protection has a separate route. Bring passport/travel document, appointment code, old card if available and the police report for a lost card.
9. Collection: place, children and payment
Collect only after notice that the document is ready: letter, Mijn IND or a text for type W. If ready without a letter, call IND. Only the notified location can issue it; W2 collection needs telephone booking, not online. Attend personally; under18s come with parent/legal representative. For a Netherlands-born child, the parent brings their valid passport/residence document plus the child's passport or birth certificate/BRP proof. Also bring code and old card or police loss report. Originals retained by IND can be returned at the same visit. Pay any remaining fees in full, preferably debit/contactless; cash accepted, credit card not. If unable to attend, cancel using the confirmation email and rebook; a group appointment is cancelled as a whole.
May I use my card again if I find it?
Not after reporting loss or theft to police. It is then invalid and must be returned to IND. Use the appropriate replacement or renewal route and check travel requirements separately.
Documents to prepare
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Document type, purpose and original expiry
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- Document type, purpose and original expiry
- Place and date of loss or theft
- Police report and any sworn translation; V-number and officially required identity evidence
- Correct replacement, extension or change route
- Application, payment and receipt; IND letters, biometrics and collection appointment
- Travel plans, recovered card and any refusal
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IND · Verblijfsvergunning kwijt of gestolen ↗IND · Formulier 6010 vervanging of vernieuwing vreemdelingendocumenten ↗IND · Reizen met verblijfsvergunning en terugkeervisum ↗IND · Afspraak ophalen document ↗IND · Beschadiging, persoonsgegevens en arbeidsrechten ↗IND · Afspraak biometrie ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.