City registration & BSN
If you stay in the Netherlands for more than four months, you must register at the municipality where you live. In Utrecht, this is done at Burgerzaken, Stadsplateau 1. Registration is mandatory for everyone, regardless of nationality or purpose of stay. If you move within the Netherlands, you must notify your new municipality.
Steps to register
You will need a signed tenancy agreement (rental contract) to register. Bring a copy to your appointment.
You can visit by appointment only. Book your appointment online via the municipality’s appointment tool (in Dutch). If you need help, check the Utrecht Region website or email studentservices@uu.nl. If you live outside Utrecht, you must register in your own municipality (see links below).
- A valid passport or ID card.
- If you have an MVV visa, bring your passport with the MVV sticker.
- If you only require a residence permit, bring your digital IND approval letter.
- Your tenancy agreement (or a Verklaring bewoning adres form if you live with someone else, signed by the main resident and including a copy of their ID), or a purchase contract for your home.
- A proof of de-registration if you are moving from Aruba, Curaçao, St Maarten, Bonaire, Saba or St Eustatius.
Frequently asked questions
Your details are stored in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP), which is used by government organisations like the IND, Tax Office (Belastingdienst) and Social Security Agency (SVB) to confirm your address and identity.
If you stay in the Netherlands for more than four months, registration is mandatory. It ensures your information is included in the national database (BRP), which other authorities use for official matters.
- A valid form of identification (passport or identity card).
- If you have received an MVV visa, you should bring your passport with the MVV sticker to the registration appointment.
- If you require a residence permit only, you must bring your digital approval letter from the IND.
- A tenancy agreement or purchase contract for your home.
- A proof of de-registration if you are coming from Aruba, Curaçao, St Maarten, Bonaire, Saba or St Eustatius.
In this case, you must provide a Verklaring bewoning adres form from the muncipality of Utrecht (pdf) filled in by the homeowner/main resident confirming that you live at that address and a copy of the passport of the homeowner/main resident.
You must register in the city where you live. We have listed a number of municipalities near Utrecht below, as well as links to web pages where you can make an appointment to register with these municipalities. As the web pages are in Dutch, we recommend using your browser’s translation tools.
- Stichtse Vecht (Maarssen and surrounding villages): make an appointment here. The correct product is already selected. Choose a date and time and enter your personal details. Then confirm the appointment.
- Nieuwegein: make an appointment here. Select the ‘Eerste inschrijving komende uit het buitenland (intake)’ product (translation: First registration coming from abroad (intake)). Then select ‘eerstvolgende mogelijkheid’ for the date (translation: first available time). Now enter your personal details and confirm the appointment.
- De Bilt: make an appointment here. The correct product is already selected. Then select ‘eerstvolgende mogelijkheid’ for the date (translation: first available time). Now enter your personal details and confirm the appointment.
- Zeist: make an appointment here. The correct product is already selected. Choose a date and time and enter your personal details. Then confirm the appointment.
If you require help with making an appointment, do not hesitate to contact Student Services by sending an e-mail to studentservices@uu.nl.