If both of you have the Dutch nationality but live in another country (outside the Netherlands) it is possible to apply for the divorce in Amsterdam. Formally the request should be handled by the court in The Hague, but in case of joint requests the court in Amsterdam is willing to handle the request. Because of your stay in another country you have to send proof of your Dutch nationality by sending a declaration of the Dutch Embassy/Consulate in the country where you stay, which states that one has verified your identity and acknowledges the fact that you have the Dutch nationality. Another way to show your nationality is a notary statement. The documents have to be in Dutch or English. Documents in other languages have to be translated into Dutch by a sworn translator.

In this procedure one has to choose the application of Dutch law. This can have consequences for alimony for example. Besides the proof of nationality you also has to produce the marriage certificate that again if not in Dutch or English, has to be translated by a sworn translator.

Furthermore I have to make sure that you both want the divorce. If you're not planning to come to the Netherlands soon, the most easy and reliable way in order to convince me seems to be that an independent third party (lawyer, notary, ambassador et cetera) informs me that he/she has verified your identities and is convinced of the fact that you both totally agree with the drafts regarding the divorce request. Of course the statement about your nationalities can be combined with this statement. After receiving this message and the original signed document I can present the petition to the court.

When the marriage took place in another country the divorce has to be registered in The Hague. The registration in The Hague takes about three weeks. In the Netherlands the divorce is not final until it is registered. When the marriage took place in another country, most of the time the divorce has to be registered in that country too. I advice you to verify that.